Senior Design Engineer - Mechanical Components

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Design Engineer specializing in mechanical components. You will drive design accuracy, durability, and manufacturability using advanced CAD tools and rigorous analysis.

You will lead complex projects, mentor junior engineers, collaborate with R&D, QA, and production teams, and deliver detailed design specs, BOMs, and technical reports in a fast-paced precision manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years in mechanical component design and development.
• Proficient in 3D CAD and FEA analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of intricate mechanical components, ensuring optimal performance and manufacturability.
• Utilize 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor) for modeling and drafting with detailed design documentation.
• Conduct stress, strain and thermal analyses (FEA) to validate designs and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure producibility and quality standards.
• Work with R&D, product management, and QA to achieve project goals.
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and design modifications as needed.
• Prepare BOMs and technical reports and stay updated on materials and processes.
• Mentor junior design engineers and drive continuous improvement in the department.

Skills

Mechanical design

SolidWorks

Inventor

FEA analysis

DFM/ DFA

Materials & tolerancing

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

FEA software

Job description

Our client, a leader in precision manufacturing, is seeking a highly proficient Senior Design Engineer specializing in mechanical components. This role is based in Benoni, Gauteng , and is crucial for developing high-quality, innovative components for diverse industrial applications. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical design principles, advanced CAD proficiency, and a demonstrated ability to translate complex requirements into practical, reliable designs. You will be instrumental in driving product development and ensuring technical excellence within our client's engineering department in Benoni.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of intricate mechanical components, ensuring optimal performance, durability, and manufacturability.
• Utilize advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) for modeling, drafting, and creating detailed design documentation.
• Conduct thorough analysis, including stress, strain, and thermal simulations (FEA), to validate design concepts and identify potential improvements.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to ensure designs are feasible for production and meet quality standards.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, product management, and quality assurance, to achieve project goals.
• Oversee prototype development and testing, analyzing results, and making necessary design modifications.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, design specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Stay current with emerging materials, manufacturing technologies, and design best practices.
• Mentor junior design engineers and provide technical expertise to the team.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering department.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in mechanical component design and development.
• Expertise in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and proficiency in FEA analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of material properties, manufacturing processes (machining, casting, forging), and tolerancing.
• Proven experience in designing components for high-stress, dynamic, or precision applications.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within a team.
• Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Familiarity with industry-specific standards and quality management systems.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and excellent opportunities for professional growth and skill development. This role provides the chance to work on innovative projects within a supportive team environment in Benoni , contributing to the advancement of precision engineering.