Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 850,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Retirement savings plan with employer

Exposure to cutting-edge automotive设计

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role focuses on BIW design using advanced materials, leveraging FEA, and ensuring safety, stiffness, and durability through rigorous testing and optimization.

You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, develop CAD models and drawings, and mentor junior engineers in a hybrid work environment that blends in-office and remote collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 7 years in automotive body structure design and development.
• Experience with BIW design and crashworthiness targets.
• Proficiency in FEA (Abaqus/ANSYS/LS-DYNA) and CAD (CATIA V5/Siemens NX).
• Knowledge of materials (steel, aluminum, composites) and joining techs.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop BIW using high-strength steel and aluminum alloys.
• Perform detailed FEA to ensure safety, stiffness, and durability.
• Optimize weight while maintaining performance.
• Coordinate with styling, interior, and manufacturing teams for feasibility.
• Create CAD models and detailed drawings for body components.
• Define testing requirements and analyze results; troubleshoot issues.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead projects.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Master’s preferred

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

LS-DYNA

CATIA V5

Siemens NX

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the automotive sector, is seeking a Senior Automotive Body Structures Engineer for their facility in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. This hybrid role offers an exciting opportunity to design and develop advanced vehicle body structures, focusing on lightweight materials, safety, and structural integrity. You will be instrumental in translating concept designs into robust, manufacturable body-in-white (BIW) structures. Working within a collaborative environment, you'll leverage cutting‑edge simulation tools and materials science knowledge to achieve optimal performance. This is a chance to contribute to the development of next‑generation vehicles while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work model. We are looking for passionate engineers who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of automotive structural design.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop vehicle body structures (BIW) using advanced materials such as high‑strength steel (HSS) and aluminum alloys.
• Perform detailed structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software to ensure compliance with safety, stiffness, and durability requirements.
• Optimize body structures for weight reduction while maintaining or improving structural performance.
• Collaborate with styling, interior, and manufacturing teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Develop detailed CAD models and engineering drawings for body structure components.
• Define testing requirements and procedures for structural components and sub‑assemblies, and analyze test results.
• Troubleshoot structural issues encountered during development, testing, or production phases.
• Stay current with advancements in automotive body structure design, materials, and joining technologies.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers within the body structures team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related discipline. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in automotive body structure design and development.
• Proven experience with BIW design, including understanding of crashworthiness, stiffness, and durability targets.
• Proficiency in FEA software (e.g., Abaqus, ANSYS, LS-DYNA) and CAD software (e.g., CATIA V5, Siemens NX).
• Strong knowledge of materials science related to automotive body structures (steel, aluminum, composites).
• Experience with joining technologies (welding, bonding, riveting) used in automotive manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, coordinating tasks between remote and in‑office settings.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and mentor junior engineers.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance‑based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge automotive design and manufacturing technologies.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• A collaborative and innovative work culture.