Senior Automotive Body-in-White Engineer

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Annual bonus

Professional development

Cutting-edge tools

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Automotive BIW Engineer to design, develop, and optimize vehicle bodies, ensuring safety, lightweighting, and manufacturing feasibility. Lead BIW projects, use CATIA V5/V6 for 3D modeling, and supervise documentation.

You will perform FEA crash/durability analyses (Abaqus/HyperWorks), select materials, coordinate with styling, safety and manufacturing teams, and mentor junior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of BIW design/engineering experience.
• Expertise with CATIA V5/V6 for 3D BIW modeling and surface development.
• Proficiency in FEA software (Abaqus, ANSA, HyperWorks) for crash and durability analysis.
• Strong understanding of crashworthiness and automotive safety standards.
• Knowledge of sheet metal stamping and joining technologies.
• Experience with lightweighting strategies and materials (steel, aluminum).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of BIW structures meeting safety, performance, and lightweighting targets.
• Use CATIA V5/V6 for 3D modeling of BIW components and assemblies.
• Perform structural analyses (static, dynamic, crash) to validate designs.
• Optimize BIW for manufacturability, assembly, and cost.
• Collaborate with styling, safety, and manufacturing teams.
• Select materials and joining technologies.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation.

Skills

CATIA V5/V6

Abaqus

ANSA

HyperWorks

Crash/Durability analysis

Lightweighting

Sheet metal stamping

Project management

Communication

Education

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

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

Abaqus

ANSA

HyperWorks

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent automotive manufacturer with a strong presence in Vereeniging, Gauteng , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) Engineer. This critical role involves the design, development, and optimization of vehicle body structures, ensuring structural integrity, crashworthiness, lightweighting, and manufacturing feasibility. You will be responsible for leading projects that define the core architecture of vehicle bodies, utilizing advanced CAD and CAE tools. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in BIW design, a deep understanding of material science (especially steel and aluminum), joining technologies (welding, riveting, bonding), and automotive safety standards. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including styling, structural analysis, manufacturing, and safety engineers, to deliver world-class vehicle body designs. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative and safe vehicle structures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of automotive Body-in-White (BIW) structures, ensuring compliance with safety, performance, and lightweighting targets.
• Utilize advanced CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5/V6) for 3D modeling of BIW components and assemblies.
• Perform structural analysis, including static, dynamic, and crash simulations (FEA), to validate design integrity.
• Optimize BIW designs for manufacturability, assembly (e.g., stamping, welding, joining), and cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with styling, safety, and powertrain teams to integrate BIW requirements with overall vehicle architecture.
• Select appropriate materials (steel, aluminum, composites) and joining technologies (welding, riveting, adhesive bonding).
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including specifications, drawings, and reports.
• Conduct design reviews and contribute to problem-solving activities related to BIW development.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in BIW technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Mentor junior BIW engineers and provide technical expertise.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Automotive Body-in-White (BIW) design and engineering.
• Expertise in using CATIA V5/V6 for 3D BIW modeling and surface development.
• Proficiency in FEA software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSA, HyperWorks) for structural, crash, and durability analysis.
• Strong understanding of vehicle crashworthiness principles and automotive safety standards (e.g., FMVSS, Euro NCAP).
• Knowledge of sheet metal stamping, joining technologies, and automotive manufacturing processes.
• Experience with lightweighting strategies and materials (e.g., high-strength steel, aluminum alloys).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and performance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Performance-driven annual bonus.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge design and simulation tools.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Employee assistance program and wellness initiatives.
• A challenging and collaborative work environment in Vereeniging, Gauteng .
• The opportunity to contribute to the structural integrity and safety of vehicles.