Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Automotive

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Global health coverage

Professional development

Fully remote setup

Innovative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with a deep automotive focus to join a remote-first development team supporting Polokwane-origin projects. You will design, simulate, and validate critical mechanical systems for high-performance vehicles.

The role requires 10+ years in automotive design, mastery of CAD/CAE, and proven leadership in distributed engineering environments. You will mentor colleagues and drive technical strategy in a fully remote setting.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related automotive discipline
• 10+ years in automotive mechanical design and product development
• Expert knowledge of automotive systems and vehicle dynamics
• Advanced proficiency in CAD/CAE software and simulations
• Strong understanding of materials science, fatigue, and reliability in automotive context
• Exceptional problem solving and leadership for remote role

Responsibilities

• Lead design and integration of automotive mechanical systems (powertrain, chassis, thermal management)
• Utilize CAD/CAE tools for 3D modeling, FEA/CFD, and design optimization
• Develop and refine technical specs, targets, and validation plans for components
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams using virtual collaboration platforms
• Oversee prototype builds, testing, and data analysis to ensure standards
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to remote team technical strategy

Skills

Mechanical design

Automotive systems

CAD/CAE

Leadership

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAE software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with a specialization in automotive applications to join their cutting-edge, remote-first development team, supporting projects originating from Polokwane . You will be instrumental in designing, developing, and testing advanced automotive mechanical systems, pushing the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and reliability. This role offers the chance to work on challenging, high-impact projects within a collaborative, globally distributed engineering environment. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of automotive engineering principles, a proven track record in complex design, and the ability to excel in a fully remote setting, driving forward the future of automotive technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and integration of critical automotive mechanical systems, such as powertrain components, chassis elements, and thermal management systems.


• Utilize advanced CAD/CAE tools for detailed 3D modeling, simulation (FEA, CFD), and design optimization specific to automotive requirements.


• Develop and refine technical specifications, performance targets, and validation plans for automotive components.


• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers, using sophisticated virtual collaboration platforms.


• Oversee prototype builds, conduct rigorous testing, and analyze results to ensure designs meet demanding automotive standards.


• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical strategy within the remote engineering organization.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related automotive engineering discipline.


• 10+ years of progressive experience in automotive mechanical design and product development.


• Expert knowledge of automotive systems, vehicle dynamics, and component manufacturing processes.


• Advanced proficiency in industry-standard automotive CAD/CAE software and simulation techniques.


• Strong understanding of materials science, fatigue analysis, and reliability engineering in an automotive context.


• Exceptional problem-solving skills and leadership capabilities suitable for a fully remote role .

Benefits

• Exceptional salary package with significant performance bonuses and stock options.


• Comprehensive global health, dental, and vision coverage.


• Generous allowance for professional development, including specialized automotive training and certifications.


• Fully remote work setup with provided equipment and support.


• A forward-thinking culture focused on innovation and pushing automotive technology limits.