Remote Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Robotics

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first organization

Asynchronous work

Career growth potential

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join a remote-first robotics leader. Drive mechanical design from concept to production, using CAD (SolidWorks/Onshape) and FEA to ensure robust, reliable robotic systems.

You will collaborate with distributed teams, define BOMs, and develop testing procedures for complex mechatronic platforms. A Master’s in Mechanical Engineering and 8+ years in robotics are required; remote work offers flexibility and growth.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive mechanical design experience with robotics/automation or complex mechatronic systems.
• Expert in 3D CAD and simulation/analysis tools (FEA).
• Strong understanding of robotics principles: kinematics, dynamics, actuators, sensors.
• Proven ability to manage projects and work independently in a remote setup.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for distributed teams.
• Experience with agile development and remote collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Jira).
• Familiar with CNC, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of robotic systems to meet performance, reliability and cost targets.
• Create detailed designs, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings using CAD (SolidWorks/Onshape).
• Conduct structural, kinematic, and dynamic analyses (FEA) to validate designs.
• Collaborate with remote electrical, software, and controls teams for system integration.
• Develop and maintain BOMs and technical documentation.
• Define and execute testing procedures for subsystems and platforms; iterate designs.

Skills

Robotics design

3D CAD

FEA simulation

Remote collaboration

Project management

Documentation

Manufacturing processes

Agile methodologies

Education

Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Onshape

FEA tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in cutting-edge robotics and automation solutions, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their globally distributed, remote-first team. This role is pivotal in the design and development of advanced robotic systems and their associated mechanical components. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, proficient in remote collaboration tools and methodologies, and possesses a strong track record in designing complex mechanical systems for automated applications. You will be responsible for taking designs from concept through to production, ensuring robustness, reliability, and performance. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking technological advancements in robotics without the constraints of a traditional office environment, working from anywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of sophisticated robotic systems and components, ensuring they meet performance, reliability, and cost targets.
• Utilize advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Onshape) to create detailed designs, assemblies, and manufacturing drawings.
• Perform comprehensive engineering analyses, including structural, kinematic, and dynamic simulations (FEA), to validate and optimize designs.
• Collaborate effectively with remote electrical, software, and controls engineering teams to ensure seamless system integration.
• Develop and maintain robust Bills of Materials (BOMs) and technical documentation.
• Define and execute testing procedures for mechanical subsystems and complete robotic platforms, analyzing results and iterating on designs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex mechanical issues encountered during development, testing, or field deployment.
• Research and select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for components.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design standards, tools, and collaborative workflows within the remote engineering team.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in mechanical design, with a significant focus on robotics, automation, or complex mechatronic systems.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software and experience with simulation and analysis tools (FEA).
• Deep understanding of robotics principles, including kinematics, dynamics, actuators, and sensors.
• Proven ability to manage projects and work independently in a fully remote environment.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a strong emphasis on clear and concise technical documentation for distributed teams.
• Experience with agile development methodologies and remote collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom, Jira).
• Strong problem-solving acumen and a meticulous approach to design.
• Familiarity with various manufacturing techniques (e.g., CNC machining, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication).

Benefits

This remote position offers a highly competitive salary and the ultimate flexibility to work from anywhere. You will have the opportunity to engage with state-of-the-art robotics technology and contribute to projects that are shaping the future of automation. Our client fosters a culture of innovation and values employee autonomy. As part of a remote-first organization, you'll benefit from asynchronous work practices and a focus on results. This role provides significant career growth potential within a dynamic and expanding industry, with direct impact on product success.