Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer - Kimberley

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

On-site role in Kimberley

Health insurance & retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer for a full-time, on-site role in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Lead design, development and validation of mechanical systems for automotive applications using CAD and CAE tools to deliver robust, manufacturable solutions.

Collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance and purchasing, ensure compliance with industry standards, and mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Significant experience in automotive mechanical design with a strong portfolio of components or systems.
• Proficiency in CAD software and CAE tools used for simulation and analysis.
• Strong understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and GD&T.
• Knowledge of automotive standards and regulations.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Effective communication and teamwork, with ability to mentor junior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive applications using CAD software.
• Create detailed 3D models, drawings, and BOMs.
• Perform FEA/CFD analyses to validate designs and optimize performance.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes for manufacturability and cost effectiveness.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, QA, and purchasing to deliver robust solutions.
• Develop and execute design verification and validation plans.
• Mentor junior engineers and promote continuous improvement.

Skills

CAD mastery

Automotive design

FEA

CFD

GD&T

Siemens NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading designer and manufacturer of specialized automotive components, is seeking a Senior Automotive Mechanical Design Engineer to join their team in **Kimberley**. This role is responsible for the design, development, and validation of mechanical systems and components for various automotive applications, focusing on areas such as chassis, suspension, braking systems, or driveline components. You will utilize advanced CAD software and simulation tools to create innovative and robust designs that meet stringent performance, safety, and reliability requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, extensive experience with automotive design standards, and a proven track record of successfully bringing designs from concept to production. This is an on-site position requiring your full-time presence at our **Northern Cape** facility, where you will collaborate closely with manufacturing, testing, and project management teams to deliver high-quality automotive solutions. We are looking for a skilled engineer who is passionate about automotive innovation and dedicated to excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive applications using CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar).
• Create detailed 3D models, 2D drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Perform engineering analysis, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to validate designs.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes, ensuring designs are manufacturable and cost-effective.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, quality assurance, and purchasing.
• Develop and execute design verification and validation plans.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues and propose effective solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards, regulations, and customer specifications.
• Stay updated on new technologies and design methodologies in the automotive sector.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement in **Kimberley**.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in automotive mechanical design, with a strong portfolio of engineered components or systems.
• Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX).
• Experience with CAE tools for simulation and analysis (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Strong understanding of material science, manufacturing processes, and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Knowledge of automotive standards and regulations.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dedicated team in **Kimberley**.
• A passion for automotive engineering and a drive for innovation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary reflecting experience and expertise.
• Full-time, on-site employment with a stable company.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement plan.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
• Work on cutting-edge automotive component design projects.
• Access to advanced design and simulation tools.
• A supportive team environment in the **Northern Cape**.
• Employee discounts and benefits programs.