Senior Automotive Product Development Engineer — R&D Leader

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance may be available

Company vehicle program

Job summary

Placements24 in Polokwane is seeking a Senior Automotive Product Development Engineer to lead concept-to-production of new automotive components. The role requires translating market needs into robust designs, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and testing teams.

You will drive specifications, CAD models, and prototypes, manage timelines and budgets, ensure compliance with ISO/TS standards, and guide the product through validation and ramp-up in a forward‑looking R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Automotive Engineering required.
• Minimum 7 years of automotive product development experience.
• Proven track record of delivering concept-to-production programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of new automotive products.
• Create engineering specs, CAD models, and drawings.
• Oversee prototype testing and validation.
• Collaborate with R&D, design, manufacturing, QA, and purchasing.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Prepare technical documentation for reviews.
• Stay updated on new automotive technologies.
• Support production ramp-up with technical guidance.
• Apply FMEA, APQP/PPAP as needed.

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Effective communication

Education

BEng/BSc in Mechanical or Automotive Eng

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

ANSYS

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Placements24 in Polokwane is seeking a Senior Automotive Product Development Engineer to lead concept-to-production of new automotive components. The role requires translating market needs into robust designs, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and testing teams.

You will drive specifications, CAD models, and prototypes, manage timelines and budgets, ensure compliance with ISO/TS standards, and guide the product through validation and ramp-up in a forward‑looking R&D environment.