Remote Principal Mechanical Engineer - Aerospace Components

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health benefits

Retirement contributions

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for a fully remote leadership role in aerospace. Based conceptually in Pretoria, you can work from anywhere in South Africa while contributing to next-generation mechanical systems.

You will lead design, validation, mentoring, and collaboration with global teams, using CATIA, NX, ANSYS for modeling and testing; compensation and benefits reflect an executive level.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or aerospace engineering.
• 12+ years of progressive mechanical design experience in aerospace.
• Expertise in actuators, structures, and thermal management.
• Advanced CAD/CAE skills: CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, ANSYS, NASTRAN.
• Knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing, and standards.
• Proven leadership and mentoring of senior engineers.
• Excellent communication for remote, distributed teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and validation of complex aerospace mechanical systems.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship across projects.
• Perform advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Define specifications and testing procedures for new components.
• Collaborate with remote cross-functional teams for optimized designs.
• Plan technical roadmaps and manage risks.

Skills

Actuators

Structures

Thermal management

Remote leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

Siemens NX

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a highly respected leader in aerospace component design and manufacturing, is seeking an exceptional Principal Mechanical Engineer to join their pioneering team on a fully remote basis. While based conceptually within the Pretoria, Gauteng region, this role offers the ultimate flexibility, allowing qualified engineers to work from any approved location within South Africa. The successful candidate will be responsible for the conceptualization, design, and validation of critical mechanical systems and components for next‑generation aerospace applications. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to drive innovation in a challenging and rapidly evolving industry. If you are passionate about aerospace engineering and thrive in a remote, collaborative environment, this is an unparalleled opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of complex mechanical systems and components for aerospace applications, ensuring adherence to stringent industry standards (e.g., AS9100).
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams, driving innovation and problem‑solving across multiple projects.
• Utilize advanced CAD/CAE tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, ANSYS) for complex modeling, simulation, and performance analysis, including structural, thermal, and vibration analysis.
• Collaborate effectively with remote cross‑functional teams, including systems engineers, materials scientists, and manufacturing specialists, to ensure integrated and optimized designs.
• Develop and implement rigorous testing protocols, analyze results, and drive design iteration for superior performance, reliability, and safety.
• Define technical requirements, specifications, and testing procedures for new components and systems.
• Contribute to strategic technical planning and roadmap development for future aerospace technologies.
• Manage technical risks and propose mitigation strategies for complex engineering challenges.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related aerospace engineering discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design and engineering, with a substantial focus on the aerospace industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing critical aerospace components (e.g., actuators, structures, thermal management systems).
• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard CAD/CAE software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, ANSYS, NASTRAN).
• In‑depth knowledge of aerospace materials, manufacturing processes, and relevant regulatory standards.
• Proven leadership capabilities and experience mentoring senior engineering staff.
• Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work effectively in a remote, globally distributed team.

Benefits

This fully remote Principal Mechanical Engineer role comes with a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, comprehensive executive health benefits, generous retirement contributions, and extensive professional development opportunities. Our client is committed to fostering a flexible and supportive remote work culture, providing the resources needed for success. This is a unique chance to influence the future of aerospace from a location of your choice, contributing to cutting‑edge projects with a world‑renowned company.