Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonuses

Medical aid, retirement fund & life 보험

Professional development

Collaborative work environment

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer to join the Paarl-based product development team. You will design and integrate body structures, dashboards, trim panels, and exterior components, influencing safety, durability and aesthetics across next-generation vehicles.

With 6+ years in the field, you will lead projects from concept to production, collaborate with styling and manufacturing, and mentor junior engineers while ensuring manufacturability and NVH optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering required.
• Minimum of 6 years of automotive body and trim experience.
• Proficient in CAD (CATIA/SolidWorks) and CAE tools for structural analysis.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle dynamics, crash safety and materials science.
• Experience with interior and exterior automotive design principles.
• Knowledge of stamping, injection molding, and assembly processes.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers.
• NVH analysis and mitigation experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of automotive body structures and closure systems.
• Oversee interior components like dashboards, seating, and trim panels.
• Manage exterior trim, lighting and aerodynamic elements.
• Collaborate with styling to translate concepts into manufacturable designs.
• Conduct structural analysis (FEA) and performance simulations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, crash, and NVH requirements.
• Work with manufacturing to optimize production-friendly designs.
• Manage supplier relationships for body and trim components.
• Lead problem-solving for body and trim design issues.

Skills

Automotive body engineering

CAD (CATIA SolidWorks)

CAEs for structural analysis

Leadership & mentoring

NVH analysis

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

CAEs

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned manufacturer in the automotive sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Automotive Body and Trim Engineer to join their product development team based in Paarl, Western Cape . This critical role involves the design, development, and integration of vehicle body structures, interior components, and exterior trim elements. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in automotive body engineering, a keen aesthetic sense, and a thorough understanding of manufacturing processes and materials. You will be responsible for ensuring that vehicle designs meet stringent requirements for safety, durability, ergonomics, and visual appeal. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the aesthetic and structural integrity of next-generation vehicles within a leading organization. We are looking for a detail-oriented professional with strong leadership capabilities and a proven ability to manage complex projects from concept through to production. Your contributions will directly shape the look, feel, and structural performance of our client's vehicles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive body structures, including chassis and closure systems.


• Oversee the design and integration of interior components such as dashboards, seating, and trim panels.


• Manage the design and application of exterior trim, lighting, and aerodynamic elements.


• Collaborate with styling and design teams to translate aesthetic concepts into manufacturable designs.


• Conduct structural analysis (FEA) and performance simulations for body and trim components.


• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, crashworthiness standards, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) requirements.


• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to optimize designs for efficient production.


• Manage supplier relationships for body and trim component development.


• Lead problem-solving efforts related to body and trim design issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field.


• Minimum of 6 years of experience in automotive body and trim engineering.


• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) and CAE tools for structural analysis.


• Strong understanding of vehicle dynamics, crash safety, and materials science.


• Experience with interior and exterior automotive design principles.


• Knowledge of manufacturing processes such as stamping, injection molding, and assembly.


• Excellent project management and communication skills.


• Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers.


• Experience with NVH analysis and mitigation techniques is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package and performance-based bonuses.


• Comprehensive medical aid, retirement fund, and life insurance benefits are provided.


• Opportunities for continuous professional development, including advanced training and certifications, are supported.


• Our client fosters a dynamic and collaborative work environment, valuing innovation and employee well-being.


• Generous paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave, is offered.


• This position in Paarl, Western Cape , provides a challenging and rewarding career within the automotive manufacturing sector.