Senior Industrial Engineer - Product Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch is seeking a Senior Industrial Engineer to drive manufacturability and efficiency across new product introductions. The role focuses on integrating manufacturing and production considerations early in development, influencing design for cost, scalability, and producibility.

You will collaborate with R&D, design, and manufacturing teams to optimize processes, layouts, and tooling, while leading pilot runs and implementing quality controls in a fast-paced product

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of industrial engineering experience focused on product development and manufacturing.
• Proven experience in DFM/DFA analysis and implementation.
• Solid understanding of machining, injection molding, and assembly.
• Experience with production planning, capacity analysis, and layout design.
• Proficiency in CAD for layout planning and Arena or similar simulation tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D and design teams to ensure manufacturability and assembly considerations.
• Develop manufacturing process plans, workflow, tooling, and equipment needs.
• Design and optimize production layouts and material flow for new products.
• Conduct time and motion studies to establish production standards.
• Analyze production costs and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Lead pilot production runs and troubleshoot introduction issues.
• Develop and implement quality control procedures for new products.
• Evaluate manufacturing technologies and supplier readiness.

Skills

DFM/DFA analysis

Production planning

Layout design

Time and motion study

Cost reduction

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or related field

Tools

CAD software

Arena

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking product development firm in Stellenbosch, Western Cape , is seeking a highly skilled Senior Industrial Engineer. This is an on-site role focused on integrating manufacturing and production considerations early in the product development lifecycle. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring new products are designed for manufacturability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Responsibilities include process design, layout planning, production system analysis, and collaborating closely with R&D, design, and manufacturing teams. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, industrial engineering principles, and a proven ability to influence product design from an operational perspective. You will be instrumental in translating innovative product concepts into efficiently produced realities. We are looking for a strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for bringing new products to market successfully. This role demands strong communication and collaboration skills within a dynamic product development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with R&D and design teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly (DFA).
• Develop manufacturing process plans, including workflow, tooling, and equipment requirements for new products.
• Design and optimize production layouts and material flow for new product lines.
• Conduct time and motion studies to establish production standards and identify efficiency improvements.
• Analyze production costs and develop cost-reduction strategies for new products.
• Lead pilot production runs and troubleshoot manufacturing issues during product introduction.
• Develop and implement quality control procedures for new products and processes.
• Evaluate and recommend manufacturing technologies and equipment for new product lines.
• Work closely with supply chain to ensure component availability and supplier readiness for new products.
• Contribute to project planning and risk assessment for new product introductions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in industrial engineering, with a strong focus on product development and manufacturing processes.
• Proven experience in DFM/DFA analysis and implementation.
• Solid understanding of various manufacturing techniques (e.g., machining, injection molding, assembly).
• Experience with production planning, capacity analysis, and layout design.
• Proficiency in CAD software for layout planning and strong skills in simulation tools (e.g., Arena).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced product development environment.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and retirement fund, and exciting opportunities for professional growth. This role is based at our innovative facility in Stellenbosch , Western Cape . We invest in our employees' development through ongoing training and opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects. Join a dynamic team that is passionate about innovation and bringing new products to life.