Senior Automotive Body and Structure Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses

Medical benefits

Retirement plans

Annual leave

Professional development

Vehicle program discounts

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a major automotive manufacturer in Polokwane, Limpopo, SA, in recruiting a Senior Automotive Body and Structure Engineer responsible for design, development, and validation of BIW structures, leading structural projects. The role emphasizes FEA, crashworthiness, durability, weight reduction, and cross-functional collaboration with styling, manufacturing and engineering teams.

Ideal candidates will have strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Civil engineering.
• 8+ years of progressive automotive body and structure experience.
• Proven FEA expertise (LS-DYNA, Abaqus, NASTRAN) for automotive applications.
• In-depth knowledge of crashworthiness, durability, and NVH principles.
• Experience with steel, aluminum, and composites used in body structures.
• Strong CAD skills and familiarity with manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop BIW structures to meet safety, performance, and cost targets.
• Conduct structural analyses using FEA to predict performance under crash and durability scenarios.
• Develop physical testing plans to validate FEA models and designs.
• Collaborate with styling and manufacturing to ensure structural and aesthetic alignment.
• Lead projects, manage timelines and resources for milestones.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive engineering excellence in the Polokwane team.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

CAD proficiency

FEA experience

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Eng.

Tools

LS-DYNA

Abaqus

NASTRAN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major automotive manufacturer operating in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , is seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Body and Structure Engineer. This role is responsible for the design, development, and validation of vehicle body structures, ensuring optimal performance in terms of safety, durability, weight reduction, and manufacturing feasibility. You will lead projects related to body-in-white (BIW) design, crashworthiness, and structural integrity, utilizing advanced simulation and testing techniques. This is a significant opportunity to influence the structural design of future vehicle platforms within a leading automotive company. The ideal candidate possesses extensive knowledge of materials science, structural analysis (FEA), and automotive body design principles. You will collaborate closely with styling, engineering, and manufacturing teams to achieve innovative and robust structural solutions. We are looking for a technically adept professional with strong leadership skills and a commitment to engineering excellence. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and a dedication to delivering high-quality, safe, and lightweight vehicle structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures (BIW) and associated components to meet performance, safety, and cost targets.
• Perform structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to predict performance under various load cases, including crash, durability, and NVH.
• Develop and execute physical testing plans to validate FEA models and design integrity.
• Collaborate with styling teams to ensure structural requirements are met while maintaining aesthetic design intent.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are optimized for efficient and high-quality production.
• Identify opportunities for material innovation and weight reduction without compromising structural integrity or safety.
• Troubleshoot and resolve structural issues identified during development, testing, or production.
• Manage project timelines and resources effectively, ensuring successful delivery of design milestones.
• Stay informed about the latest trends and technologies in automotive body and structure design.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of the engineering team in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in automotive body and structure engineering.
• Proven expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for automotive applications (e.g., LS-DYNA, Abaqus, NASTRAN).
• In-depth knowledge of vehicle crashworthiness, structural durability, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) principles.
• Experience with materials commonly used in automotive body structures (e.g., steel, aluminum, composites).
• Familiarity with automotive design and manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of CAD software for automotive design.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and leadership abilities, essential for teamwork and project management.
• A commitment to safety and quality in automotive design.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to shape the structural integrity of future vehicle models.
• Key role within a major automotive manufacturing facility in Polokwane .
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and retirement plans.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Access to advanced training and professional development programs.
• Employee vehicle programs and discounts.