Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer to join their Klerksdorp-based team. You will conceptualize, design, and develop advanced automotive components, translating requirements into robust, manufacturable designs while collaborating with electrical, simulation, and manufacturing teams.

You will lead design activities, perform FEA, validate against NVH and thermal targets, and contribute to design standards in a hybrid on-site/remote setup in the North West region of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in mechanical design in automotive sector.
• Proficiency in major 3D CAD software: CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks or Creo.
• Strong experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, ABAQUS) for design validation.
• Knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and DFM/DFM principles.
• Experience with NVH, durability, and thermal management in automotive components.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex mechanical components and systems for automotive applications using CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo).
• Perform detailed mechanical analysis, including FEA for stress, thermal, and vibration assessments.
• Create detailed drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with simulation and manufacturing engineers to optimize designs for mass production.
• Lead design activities and participate in design reviews.

Skills

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

ABAQUS

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer to join their innovative product development team based in Klerksdorp, North West . This role is central to the conceptualization, design, and development of advanced automotive components and systems. You will be responsible for translating product requirements into robust and manufacturable mechanical designs, utilizing advanced CAD software and engineering analysis tools. This hybrid role requires a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, ensuring you can contribute effectively to team projects while maintaining work-life balance. The ideal candidate has a strong background in mechanical engineering, a deep understanding of automotive components, and a proven ability to deliver high-quality designs from concept through to production. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, simulation specialists, and manufacturing engineers, to ensure the successful integration and performance of your designs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex mechanical components and systems for automotive applications using advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo).
• Perform detailed mechanical analysis, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress, strain, thermal, and vibration assessments.
• Create detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and Bill of Materials (BOMs).
• Collaborate with simulation engineers to validate design performance and identify areas for optimization.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are cost-effective, reliable, and suitable for mass production.
• Participate in design reviews, providing technical expertise and recommendations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve design-related issues during prototype development and production phases.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes in the automotive industry.
• Contribute to the development of design standards and best practices within the engineering team.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on mechanical design principles.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in mechanical design, with a significant focus on the automotive sector.
• Proficiency in at least one major 3D CAD software package (CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks, or Creo).
• Strong experience with FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS) for design validation.
• Solid understanding of material science, manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, stamping, casting), and DFM/DFA principles.
• Knowledge of automotive component requirements, including NVH, durability, and thermal management.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a hybrid team environment.
• Experience in project management and leading design activities.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to team goals.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, along with opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic automotive engineering environment. This hybrid role provides the flexibility to balance remote work with essential on-site collaboration. You will be part of an innovative company working on exciting automotive projects in Klerksdorp .