Remote Senior Mechanical Engineer - Renewable Energy Systems

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus structure

Health and wellness benefits

Professional development budget

Flexible remote work

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and optimization of renewable energy systems in a fully remote team. You will shape mechanical architectures for solar thermal, wind, and energy storage devices, coordinating with a global engineering group to deliver robust hardware.

You will drive FEA/CFD workflows, CAD modeling in SolidWorks and Inventor, and materials selection while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design or renewable energy systems.
• Expert proficiency in CAD and FEA/CFD tools.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and development of components and systems for renewable energy applications.
• Perform FEA for stress/thermal performance and CFD for fluid flow and heat transfer.
• Create and refine 3D CAD models and 2D drawings in SolidWorks or Inventor.
• Select materials considering performance, cost, durability and environmental impact.
• Develop and execute test plans for prototypes to validate designs.

Skills

CAD proficiency

FEA/CFD

Thermodynamics

Fluid mechanics

Materials science

Remote collaboration

Project management

Manufacturing processes

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

ANSYS

Abaqus

STAR-CCM+

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in developing innovative renewable energy solutions, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their fully remote engineering department. This role is integral to the design, analysis, and optimization of mechanical systems for cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, such as solar thermal, wind turbines, or energy storage systems. You will collaborate with a global team of engineers and researchers, contributing to the development of next-generation energy hardware. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical design, thermal analysis, fluid dynamics, and materials science, coupled with a passion for sustainable energy. This is an exceptional opportunity to work remotely and contribute to impactful projects that are shaping the future of the energy industry. The position requires a self-motivated individual with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a remote setting while maintaining strong team collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of components and systems for renewable energy applications.
• Perform detailed engineering analyses, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress, strain, and thermal performance, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for fluid flow and heat transfer.
• Create and refine 3D CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings using industry-standard software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Select appropriate materials and components, considering factors like performance, cost, durability, and environmental impact.
• Develop and execute test plans for prototypes and manufactured components to validate design integrity.
• Collaborate with manufacturing partners to ensure designs are optimized for efficient and cost-effective production.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues encountered during design, prototyping, and field deployment.
• Contribute to the innovation pipeline by researching and evaluating new mechanical technologies and design approaches.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry standards and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mechanical design and engineering, with a significant focus on renewable energy systems or advanced machinery.
• Expert proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and FEA/CFD simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus, STAR-CCM+).
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and material science.
• Experience with manufacturing processes such as machining, casting, welding, and additive manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for remote collaboration and technical documentation.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience with energy storage systems, solar technology, or wind energy is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a competitive salary and bonus structure, along with comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• The company provides a generous budget for professional development, including access to advanced training, workshops, and relevant industry conferences.
• Employees enjoy a flexible work schedule and the opportunity to work with a diverse, international team of experts.
• This role offers significant impact potential, contributing to the global transition towards sustainable energy.
• The company fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, providing a supportive remote work environment.
• Career advancement opportunities are excellent within this expanding and forward-thinking organization.