Senior Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Salary package

Leave allowance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Facility in Pretoria

Collaborative environment

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking an experienced Senior Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Engineer to lead the design and development of vehicle BIW structures, focusing on safety, stiffness, durability and weight. You will use FEA and CAD tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, CATIA V5/V6) and collaborate with manufacturing, stamping and styling teams to translate concepts into production-ready BIW components.

This role offers a dynamic environment, opportunities for leadership and career growth within a leading

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Automotive Engineering.
• 7+ years in automotive BIW design and engineering.
• Proficiency in FEA software (ANSYS or Abaqus) and knowledge of structural mechanics.
• Experience with CATIA V5/V6 for BIW modeling and data exchange.
• Knowledge of high-strength steels, aluminum, and joining techniques.
• Understanding of crashworthiness and safety standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with stamping and body shop manufacturing is desirable.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimization of BIW structures for stiffness, durability, crashworthiness, and weight.
• Use FEA tools to simulate structural performance under loads.
• Collaborate with styling, packaging, and manufacturing teams for feasibility.
• Develop BIW component and assembly specifications.
• Conduct design reviews and provide technical guidance to the BIW team.
• Support validation, including physical testing and correlating results.
• Resolve BIW manufacturing issues in joining processes.
• Stay current with materials, joining technologies, and BIW trends.
• Ensure timelines, budget, and quality objectives.
• Mentor junior engineers in BIW engineering principles.

Skills

FEA tools

CAD (CATIA)

BIW design

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Structural/Automotive Eng

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

CATIA V5/V6

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished automotive manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Senior Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Engineer to join their innovative engineering team in **Pretoria**. This pivotal role involves leading the design and development of vehicle body structures, ensuring optimal performance in terms of safety, stiffness, durability, and weight. You will be instrumental in translating conceptual designs into production-ready BIW structures, utilizing advanced simulation techniques and collaborating closely with manufacturing and stamping departments. This position is ideal for a highly skilled engineer looking to contribute to the development of future vehicle architectures. The **Pretoria** location offers a dynamic environment to apply your expertise in a challenging and rewarding field within the automotive industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimization of automotive Body-in-White structures, focusing on stiffness, durability, crashworthiness, and weight reduction.
• Utilize advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools to simulate and analyze structural performance under various load conditions.
• Collaborate with styling, package, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure feasibility and manufacturability of BIW designs.
• Develop and manage BIW component and assembly specifications.
• Conduct design reviews and provide technical guidance to the BIW engineering team.
• Support the validation process, including physical testing and correlation of simulation results.
• Investigate and resolve manufacturing issues related to BIW assembly and joining processes.
• Stay current with advancements in materials, joining technologies, and BIW design trends.
• Ensure adherence to project timelines, budget, and quality objectives for BIW development.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering their growth in BIW engineering principles.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Automotive Engineering.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in automotive Body-in-White design and engineering.
• Proficiency in FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) and strong understanding of structural mechanics.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6) for BIW modeling and data exchange.
• In-depth knowledge of automotive body structures, materials (e.g., high-strength steels, aluminum), and joining technologies (welding, riveting, bonding).
• Understanding of vehicle crashworthiness requirements and safety standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with stamping and body shop manufacturing processes is highly desirable.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications accurately.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting your experience and expertise in BIW engineering.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Retirement plan options.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Work within a leading automotive company's advanced engineering facilities in **Pretoria**.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Potential for career growth and leadership opportunities within the organization.