Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Presencial; ZAR 900.000 - 1.200.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 seeks a Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer for its Klerksdorp facility. You will design and validate exterior panels, interior components, and trim, while coordinating with styling teams to translate concepts into production-ready designs.

The role requires a strong background in materials, manufacturing processes, and FEA/NVH, with project leadership across cross-functional teams. On-site presence is required in North West, South Africa.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Materials Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of automotive body and trim design and development experience.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks) for part design and surfacing.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes (stamping, injection molding, and assembly).
• Experience with FEA simulation tools for structural and thermal analysis.
• Knowledge of NVH principles for interior/exterior noise reduction.
• Experience in managing projects and working with cross-functional teams.

Responsabilidades

• Design and develop exterior body panels, including fenders, hoods, doors, and bumpers, ensuring aerodynamic and aesthetic requirements are met.
• Design and develop interior components such as dashboard assemblies, door panels, center consoles, seating systems, and overhead systems.
• Manage the design and integration of trim elements, including seals, weatherstripping, and decorative finishes.
• Collaborate with styling and design teams to translate concepts into feasible engineering designs.
• Select appropriate materials (plastics, composites, metals) based on performance, cost, and manufacturing constraints.
• Develop and execute Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural integrity, crashworthiness, and NVH performance of body and trim components.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to ensure designs are optimized for mass production processes (e.g., stamping, injection molding, assembly).
• Conduct validation testing on components and systems, analyzing results and implementing design improvements.
• Manage supplier relationships and technical specifications for sourced components.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards.

Conocimientos

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Project management

Cross-functional teamwork

Attention to detail

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline

Herramientas

CATIA V5/V6

SolidWorks

FEA tools

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a renowned automotive manufacturer with a commitment to exquisite design and build quality, is seeking a Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer to join their facility in Klerksdorp, North West . This role is crucial for ensuring the aesthetic appeal, functional integrity, and robust assembly of vehicle interiors and exteriors. You will be responsible for the design, development, and validation of body panels, closures (doors, hoods, trunk), interior components, and trim elements. This is an on-site position that requires a deep understanding of materials science, manufacturing processes, and automotive styling. We are looking for an individual with a keen eye for detail, strong engineering fundamentals, and proven experience in managing complex projects from concept to production. Your contributions will directly shape the look, feel, and durability of our client's vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop exterior body panels, including fenders, hoods, doors, and bumpers, ensuring aerodynamic and aesthetic requirements are met.
• Design and develop interior components such as dashboard assemblies, door panels, center consoles, seating systems, and overhead systems.
• Manage the design and integration of trim elements, including seals, weatherstripping, and decorative finishes.
• Collaborate with styling and design teams to translate concepts into feasible engineering designs.
• Select appropriate materials (plastics, composites, metals) based on performance, cost, and manufacturing constraints.
• Develop and execute Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural integrity, crashworthiness, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance of body and trim components.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to ensure designs are optimized for mass production processes (e.g., stamping, injection molding, assembly).
• Conduct validation testing on components and systems, analyzing results and implementing design improvements.
• Manage supplier relationships and technical specifications for sourced components.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant safety and regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive body and trim design and development.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks) for part design and surfacing.
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes, including stamping, injection molding, and assembly.
• Experience with FEA simulation tools for structural and thermal analysis.
• Knowledge of automotive materials, including polymers, composites, and metals.
• Familiarity with NVH principles and techniques for interior and exterior noise reduction.
• Experience in managing projects and working with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be willing to work full-time on-site in Klerksdorp, North West .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
• Pension scheme and retirement planning support.
• Opportunities for career advancement and continuous learning.
• Access to state-of-the‑art design and testing facilities.
• Generous employee discounts on vehicles and parts.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment within a leading automotive company.