Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Exposure to innovative design

Team oriented environment

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, seeks a Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer to lead design, analysis, and validation of vehicle body structures. You will drive FEA-based crashworthiness, stiffness, and durability studies while guiding lightweight material choices and manufacturability.

Join a collaborative team, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to innovative body structure tech and tests across development stages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in automotive body structure design and analysis.
• Proficiency in CAD (CATIA V5, SolidWorks) and FEA (ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Strong understanding of automotive safety regulations and lightweight materials.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures, including frame, underbody, and closure panels.
• Perform advanced structural analysis using FEA to evaluate crashworthiness, stiffness, NVH, and durability.
• Optimize body structure designs for weight reduction and material efficiency with steel/aluminum.
• Develop and execute physical testing plans for body structures, static and dynamic tests.
• Collaborate with styling, manufacturing, and advanced engineering teams for feasibility and manufacturability.
• Investigate and resolve structural issues during development and production.
• Contribute to defining new body structure technologies and advanced materials.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the team's technical development.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a respected name in the automotive sector, dedicated to creating vehicles that are both safe and structurally sound. They are seeking a highly experienced Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer to join their engineering department in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. This role focuses on the design, analysis, and validation of vehicle body structures to meet demanding safety, durability, and performance standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in structural mechanics, material science, and the application of CAE tools for complex simulations. You will play a key part in developing innovative and lightweight body structures that contribute to overall vehicle efficiency and occupant protection. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to significant projects within a reputable automotive company.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures, including frame, underbody, and closure panels.
• Perform advanced structural analysis using FEA to evaluate crashworthiness, stiffness, NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), and durability.
• Optimize body structure designs for weight reduction and material efficiency, considering various materials like steel and aluminum.
• Develop and execute physical testing plans for body structures, including static and dynamic tests.
• Collaborate with styling, manufacturing, and advanced engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Investigate and resolve structural issues encountered during development and production phases.
• Contribute to the definition of new body structure technologies and advanced materials.
• Mentor junior engineers and support the team's technical development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive body structure design and analysis.
• Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5, SolidWorks) and FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• In-depth understanding of automotive safety regulations and testing procedures (e.g., NCAP).
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes for body structures, such as stamping, welding, and assembly.
• Experience with lightweight materials and joining technologies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Must have the legal right to work in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary of .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development.
• Exposure to innovative vehicle design and manufacturing processes.
• A supportive and team-oriented work environment.
• Potential for long-term career growth within the company.