Senior Automotive Body-in-White Engineer

Placements24; Klerksdorp; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Life insurance

Career progression

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp, South Africa, seeks a Senior Automotive BIW Engineer to drive design and optimization of Body-in-White structures. You will lead BIW development, collaborate with styling and powertrain teams, and ensure crashworthy, lightweight designs while refining manufacturing processes.

The role requires 7+ years in BIW, CATIA V5/V6 proficiency, and strong FEA experience. Join a global automotive leader committed to safety, innovation, and manufacturing excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in Automotive BIW design and engineering.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 for surfacing, solid modeling and assembly design.
• Extensive experience with FEA tools for structural and crash simulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of BIW structures with focus on strength, stiffness, weight and crashworthiness.
• Use CATIA V5/V6 for BIW design and component layout.
• Perform FEA simulations to validate designs under various loads.
• Collaborate with styling, powertrain and dynamics teams for integrated solutions.
• Develop and optimize BIW manufacturing processes: stamping, welding, riveting, adhesive bonding.
• Specify materials and joining technologies to meet performance and cost targets.
• Support testing and validation activities, analyze results and implement design improvements.
• Troubleshoot BIW assembly manufacturing issues and propose solutions.
• Mentor junior BIW engineers and contribute to department development.
• Stay updated on new materials and BIW engineering best practices.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

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

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

FEA (ANSYS, Abaqus)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading automotive manufacturer, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Engineer to join their advanced engineering team in Klerksdorp, North West . This critical role focuses on the structural integrity, design, and manufacturing processes of the vehicle's fundamental structure. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of sheet metal forming, joining technologies, structural analysis, and the integration of BIW components. You will be responsible for driving innovation in BIW design to enhance vehicle safety, reduce weight, and improve manufacturing efficiency. Our client is committed to pioneering new technologies and offers a challenging yet rewarding environment for engineers passionate about automotive structures. You will play a key role in shaping the future of vehicle chassis design and contributing to the company's reputation for quality and performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive Body-in-White structures, ensuring optimal performance in terms of strength, stiffness, weight, and crashworthiness.


• Utilize advanced CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6) for detailed BIW design and component layout.


• Perform structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) to validate designs and predict performance under various load conditions.


• Collaborate closely with styling, powertrain, and vehicle dynamics teams to ensure integrated design solutions.


• Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for BIW assembly, including stamping, welding, riveting, and adhesive bonding.


• Specify materials and joining technologies to meet performance and cost targets.


• Support vehicle testing and validation activities, analyzing results and implementing design improvements.


• Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to BIW assembly and propose effective solutions.


• Mentor junior BIW engineers and contribute to the technical development of the engineering department.


• Stay abreast of new materials, manufacturing techniques, and industry best practices in BIW engineering.

Requirements

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


• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in Automotive Body-in-White design and engineering.


• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 for surfacing, solid modeling, and assembly design.


• Extensive experience with FEA tools for structural and crash simulation.


• Solid understanding of sheet metal forming processes, joining technologies (welding, riveting, etc.), and material properties.


• Experience with automotive safety standards and crash test regulations.


• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.


• Strong project management and communication abilities.


• Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team environment in Klerksdorp, North West .


• Proven track record of successful BIW component or system development.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits including medical aid, provident fund, and life insurance, along with significant opportunities for career advancement within a global automotive leader. This role in Klerksdorp, North West , provides a challenging and rewarding career path with access to cutting-edge technology and professional development programs. Join a company that values innovation, quality, and the growth of its employees.