Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Automation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

Remote-first culture

Premium software licenses

Development budget

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the design of advanced automation systems. The role is fully remote, coordinating with a distributed team of engineers, researchers, and product managers to deliver high-quality mechanical solutions worldwide.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of experience in mechanical design for automation, expert CAD/FEA skills, and strong leadership. Remote-first culture offers flexibility and global collaboration opportunities.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in mechanical design for automation/robotics.
• Expert-level proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 and SolidWorks Premium.
• Advanced skills in ANSYS Mechanical and Abaqus for dynamic/thermal analysis.
• Strong understanding of control systems, mechatronics, and integration with electronics/software.
• Experience with high-precision mechanisms, motion control, and system dynamics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration in a remote environment.
• Self-motivated with strong time management and organization.
• Occasional travel for team meetings or critical project phases.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of automation systems from concept through production.
• Use CAD software for 3D modeling, surfacing, and mechanism design.
• Perform dynamic, vibration, thermal analyses using FEA tools.
• Develop and document drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, and controls teams.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation activities.
• Drive DFM and DFA to optimize production.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team growth.
• Stay updated on robotics and automation trends.
• Manage technical aspects to ensure timely delivery.

Skills

Mechanical design

CATIA V5/V6

SolidWorks Premium

FEA analysis

Dynamic analysis

Thermal analysis

Mechatronics

Leadership

Remote collaboration

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5/V6

SolidWorks Premium

ANSYS Mechanical

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a global leader in industrial automation solutions, developing advanced robotics and automated systems for various manufacturing sectors. We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our fully remote team, contributing to the design and development of next-generation automation equipment. This role is crucial for conceptualizing, designing, and validating complex mechanical systems that drive efficiency and innovation in industrial processes worldwide. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, extensive experience with complex CAD/FEA, and a proven track record of successfully delivering innovative automation solutions. You will work collaboratively with a distributed team of engineers, researchers, and product managers, leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve challenging engineering problems. This is a premier opportunity for a seasoned engineer passionate about automation and looking for a role with significant impact and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of advanced automation systems, robots, and specialized machinery from concept through to production.
• Utilize advanced CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks Premium) for complex 3D modeling, surfacing, and mechanism design.
• Perform sophisticated mechanical analysis including dynamic simulations, vibration analysis, thermal management, and fatigue life prediction using FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Develop and document detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs) according to industry best practices.
• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers, software developers, and controls engineers to ensure seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, and software components.
• Oversee and guide prototyping, testing, and validation activities, ensuring designs meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles to optimize production efficiency and cost.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the engineering team.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge technologies and industry trends in robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.
• Manage technical aspects of projects, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality mechanical designs.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in mechanical design and development, with a significant portion focused on industrial automation, robotics, or complex machinery.
• Expert-level proficiency in advanced CAD software (CATIA V5/V6, SolidWorks Premium) and associated surfacing/assembly tools.
• Advanced skills in FEA software (ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus) for complex dynamic and thermal analysis.
• Strong understanding of control systems, mechatronics, and the integration of mechanical systems with electronics and software.
• Demonstrated experience with high-precision mechanisms, motion control, and system dynamics.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills, especially in a remote environment.
• Proven ability to innovate and solve complex engineering challenges.
• Self-motivated with exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Occasional travel for team meetings or critical project phases might be required.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a highly competitive salary, stock options, and comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• As a fully remote position, you benefit from exceptional work-life flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere.
• Access to premium software licenses, professional development budgets, and opportunities to present at industry conferences are provided.
• This role offers the chance to work on groundbreaking projects with a team of world-class engineers and shape the future of industrial automation.
• Join a company that champions innovation, invests in its talent, and provides a truly remote-first culture.