Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Automotive

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Access to advanced engineering tools

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Klerksdorp seeks a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer specializing in automotive to lead the design and development of next‑generation components and systems, driving vehicle performance, safety and efficiency in an in‑office setting.

You will translate complex requirements into robust 3D models, perform FEA, and collaborate with R&D, manufacturing and testing teams to meet targets, including powertrains, chassis and HVAC components.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 6 years of automotive mechanical design experience.
• Proficiency in CAD (CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo) and FEA (ANSYS, Abaqus).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automotive mechanical components and systems such as powertrains, chassis, or HVAC.
• Create detailed 3D models, 2D drawings, and technical specifications using CAD software.
• Perform stress, thermal, and vibration analyses (FEA).
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and testing teams.
• Support prototype builds, conduct validation testing, and drive design improvements.
• Ensure designs meet performance, regulatory, and cost targets for automotive applications.

Skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BEng in Mechanical Eng

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

Creo

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with a specialization in the automotive sector to join their dedicated team in Klerksdorp . This role is central to the design and development of next-generation automotive components and systems, contributing to vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. You will be responsible for translating complex requirements into robust mechanical designs, working within a state-of-the-art facility. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineer to make a significant impact on automotive innovation in a collaborative, in-office environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate automotive mechanical components and systems, such as powertrains, chassis, or HVAC.
• Create detailed 3D models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and technical specifications using industry-standard CAD software.
• Perform detailed engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration simulations (FEA).
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, manufacturing, and testing departments.
• Support prototype builds, conduct design validation testing, and analyze results to drive design improvements.
• Ensure designs meet all performance, regulatory, and cost targets for automotive applications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in automotive mechanical design.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo) and FEA tools (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and materials.
• Experience with DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, essential for an on‑site role .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the automotive industry.
• Access to advanced engineering tools and facilities.
• A collaborative team environment dedicated to automotive excellence.