Senior Design Engineer - Automotive Components

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Bonuses

Career development

Modern facility

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Design Engineer for automotive components in Pretoria. You will lead design initiatives from concept through mass production, creating detailed CAD models and drawings using CATIA V5 or Siemens NX, and performing FEA validation to ensure robust, cost-effective designs.

You will collaborate with OEMs and internal teams, manage DFMEA, and supervise design changes while mentoring junior engineers, contributing to cutting-edge automotive technology in a demanding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 6+ years hands-on mechanical design experience in the automotive sector.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5 or Siemens NX.
• Experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, Abaqus) for component-level analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of automotive mechanical components from concept to mass production.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings using CATIA or NX.
• Perform advanced analyses including FEA for stress, thermal, and vibration.
• Collaborate with OEMs and internal teams to validate designs.
• Support DFMEA, APQP/PPAP compliance, and design changes.
• Mentor junior engineers and guide best practices.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

Siemens NX

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent Tier 1 automotive supplier with a significant presence in Pretoria, Gauteng , is actively seeking a highly competent Senior Design Engineer specializing in automotive components. This role is crucial for the development of innovative and high-performance parts that meet the stringent demands of the automotive industry. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in mechanical design, material selection, and manufacturing processes relevant to automotive applications. You will be instrumental in leading design projects, collaborating with cross‑functional teams including R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance, and ensuring that designs are robust, cost‑effective, and meet all performance specifications. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer to contribute to cutting‑edge automotive technology in a dynamic and demanding environment located in Pretoria, Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of automotive mechanical components from concept through to mass production. Create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings using industry‑standard software (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX). Perform advanced engineering analyses, including FEA for stress, thermal, and vibration testing, to validate design integrity. Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes for components, considering performance, cost, and durability requirements. Collaborate closely with vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) and internal teams to understand requirements and ensure design validation. Manage design changes, conduct Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and ensure compliance with automotive standards (e.g., APQP, PPAP). Support prototype builds and testing, analyze results, and implement design refinements. Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on design best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline. Minimum of 6 years of hands‑on experience in mechanical design, specifically within the automotive sector. Proficiency with CAD software such as CATIA V5 or Siemens NX is essential. Solid experience with FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) for component‑level analysis. In‑depth knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, materials, and industry standards. Understanding of automotive systems and component integration. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with excellent attention to detail. Effective communication and teamwork skills. Familiarity with product development cycles in the automotive industry is highly desirable.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, benchmarked against industry standards for senior engineers in Pretoria, Gauteng . Benefits include comprehensive medical aid, a provident fund, and performance‑based bonuses. Opportunities for professional development, including advanced training and career advancement, are readily available. You will work in a state‑of‑the‑art facility with access to advanced design and testing tools. Our client fosters a collaborative work environment where innovation is encouraged and rewarded. This role provides direct involvement in the development of next‑generation automotive technologies.