Remote Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing Systems

Placements24; Randburg; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will lead conceptualization and development of advanced automation systems and manufacturing equipment, driving innovation in a virtual collaboration environment.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years in mechanical design, robotics or automation, and strong skills in 3D CAD, FEA, and system integration.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in mechanical design with focus on automation, robotics, or advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Expert proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA, and Siemens NX.
• Strong experience with FEA and other simulation tools for mechanical analysis.
• Deep understanding of kinematics, dynamics, control systems, and mechanical system integration.
• Proven ability to lead design projects and work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience with additive manufacturing for prototyping is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of complex automation systems, robotic cells, and advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Conceptualize, design, and detail mechanical components and assemblies using advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Perform detailed engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, vibration, and kinematic simulations.
• Specify and select mechanical components such as motors, actuators, bearings, linear motion systems, and sensors.
• Collaborate virtually with cross-functional teams including controls engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists.
• Develop comprehensive design documentation, including drawings, BOMs, assembly procedures, and technical specifications.
• Oversee the prototyping and testing of new designs, troubleshooting issues and implementing improvements.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in advanced manufacturing, automation, and robotics.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of best practices within the design team.
• Ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

FEA experience

Kinematics

Dynamics

Control systems

Remote collaboration

Mentoring

Analytical problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global innovator in advanced manufacturing technologies, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a fully remote position. This role is critical for the conceptualization, design, and development of next-generation manufacturing systems and automation solutions. You will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automated production environments, working on complex projects that require creative problem-solving and deep engineering insight. You will lead challenging design initiatives and significantly impact the company's technological roadmap. This remote-first role offers unparalleled flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in mechanical design, kinematics, robotics, and system integration, with a proven ability to deliver innovative and reliable engineering solutions in a virtual setting. You will lead challenging design initiatives and significantly impact the company's technological roadmap.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of complex automation systems, robotic cells, and advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Conceptualize, design, and detail mechanical components and assemblies using advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Perform detailed engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, vibration, and kinematic simulations.
• Specify and select mechanical components such as motors, actuators, bearings, linear motion systems, and sensors.
• Collaborate virtually with cross-functional teams including controls engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists.
• Develop comprehensive design documentation, including drawings, BOMs, assembly procedures, and technical specifications.
• Oversee the prototyping and testing of new designs, troubleshooting issues and implementing improvements.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in advanced manufacturing, automation, and robotics.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of best practices within the design team.
• Ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mechanical design engineering, with a significant focus on automation systems, robotics, or advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX).
• Strong experience with FEA and other simulation tools for mechanical analysis.
• Deep understanding of kinematics, dynamics, control systems, and mechanical system integration.
• Proven ability to lead design projects and work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for virtual team interaction.
• Experience with additive manufacturing (3D printing) for prototyping and production is a plus.
• Familiarity with machine vision systems and industrial networking protocols is advantageous.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed for remote employees.
• This includes excellent health insurance coverage, a generous retirement savings plan, and ample paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities, such as online courses and virtual conferences, are readily available.
• This fully remote position provides significant autonomy and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects shaping the future of manufacturing, all from the comfort of your home office.