Remote Senior Mechanical Engineer - R&D

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Executive-level bonus potential

State-of-the-art simulation tools

Generous R&D budget

Health and wellness benefits

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead advanced R&D initiatives in a remote-first role, supporting East London and global operations. You will guide feasibility studies, prototype development, and cross-functional collaboration with scientists, engineers, and product managers.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD or MSc in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of design and R&D experience, strong CAD/CAE/CFD skills, and a proven track record of innovation in manufacturing-ready

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Mechanical Engineering with a strong R&D focus.
• 10+ years in mechanical design, R&D, and product development.
• Strong CAD/CAE/CFD proficiency and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization and development of novel mechanical systems for R&D.
• Perform simulations (FEA/CFD) and experimental validation of designs.
• Translate research into manufacturable solutions and document results.
• Prepare technical reports, proposals, and patent disclosures.
• Collaborate with a global, distributed team via virtual platforms.

Skills

R&D leadership

Simulation & analysis

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAE/CFD software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished and innovative Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their advanced Research and Development (R&D) division, operating entirely on a remote basis to support their operations from East London and globally. This senior role is pivotal in driving the conceptualization and development of groundbreaking mechanical technologies and products. You will lead complex R&D projects, from initial feasibility studies to proof-of-concept and prototype development, working with cutting-edge tools and methodologies. This is an unparalleled opportunity for a visionary engineer to shape the future of our client's product portfolio and contribute to significant technological advancements within a remote-first, collaborative culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead conceptualization, design, and development of novel mechanical systems and components for R&D initiatives.
• Conduct in-depth theoretical analysis, simulations (FEA, CFD), and experimental validation for innovative designs.
• Translate complex research findings into practical, manufacturable mechanical solutions.
• Author detailed technical reports, research proposals, and patent disclosures.
• Collaborate effectively with a global, distributed team of scientists, engineers, and product managers via advanced virtual platforms.
• Stay abreast of emerging mechanical engineering technologies and methodologies, identifying opportunities for innovation.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with a strong R&D focus.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical design and R&D, with a proven track record of innovation and product development.
• Expertise in advanced mechanical design principles, materials science, and experimental techniques.
• Proficiency in advanced CAD/CAE/CFD software and data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and drive technical breakthroughs.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills, creativity, and strong written/verbal communication abilities for remote collaboration.

Benefits

• Extremely competitive salary and executive-level bonus potential.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering maximum flexibility.
• Access to state-of-the-art simulation and analysis tools.
• Generous research and development budget for exploration and experimentation.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.