Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Automotive Chassis Systems

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary with annual"

Comprehensive health, dental, and vis­

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead chassis systems work at their East London facility. You will design, analyze, and validate suspension, steering, and braking components using CATIA and CAE tools, ensuring performance and manufacturability.

The role requires a strong background in automotive chassis design, 6+ years of relevant experience, and proficiency with CATIA V5/V6, ANSYS, and Adams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering.
• 6+ years of experience in mechanical design for automotive chassis.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6 and CAE tools (ANSYS, Adams).
• Strong knowledge of suspension, steering, braking and vehicle dynamics.
• Experience selecting materials for automotive applications.
• Proven ability to validate designs via simulation and testing.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Familiarity with ISO/SAE standards and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components for automotive chassis systems, including suspension arms, linkages, subframes, steering racks, and brake components.
• Use 3D CAD software (CATIA, SolidWorks) to create detailed designs.
• Perform FEA for structural integrity and fatigue life.
• Collaborate with dynamics engineers, CAE analysts, and manufacturing teams.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes considering strength-to-weight, durability and cost.
• Oversee prototype development, testing and validation.
• Prepare technical documentation and failure analysis reports.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues during development, testing or production.
• Stay informed about industry trends and advanced chassis technologies.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's or master's in Mechanical/Automotive Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Adams

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a globally recognized automotive manufacturer renowned for its engineering excellence, is actively seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to focus on Chassis Systems at their advanced facility in East London, Eastern Cape . This critical role involves the design, development, and integration of sophisticated chassis components, including suspension, steering, and braking systems, for passenger vehicles and performance cars. You will be at the forefront of creating solutions that enhance vehicle dynamics, safety, and driver comfort. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of mechanical principles applied to automotive chassis, extensive experience with CAD and CAE tools, and a passion for vehicle performance. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the driving experience of future vehicles and contribute to the development of cutting-edge automotive technology. We seek a proactive and innovative engineer dedicated to automotive advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components for automotive chassis systems, including suspension arms, linkages, subframes, steering racks, and brake components.
• Utilize advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) to create detailed designs and robust models.
• Perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for structural integrity, fatigue life, and kinematic studies under various loading conditions.
• Collaborate with vehicle dynamics engineers, CAE analysts, and manufacturing teams to ensure optimal system performance and manufacturability.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes, considering factors like strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and cost.
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation of chassis components and sub-systems.
• Prepare comprehensive technical documentation, design reports, specifications, and failure analysis reports.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues encountered during development, testing, or production.
• Stay informed about industry trends, new materials, and advanced chassis technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Automotive Engineering.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in mechanical design engineering, with a specialization in automotive chassis systems.
• Proficiency in advanced CAD software (CATIA V5/V6 preferred) and CAE tools (e.g., ANSYS, Adams).
• Strong understanding of suspension kinematics, steering geometry, braking systems, and vehicle dynamics principles.
• Experience with material selection for automotive applications, including metals and polymers.
• Proven ability to conduct design validation through simulation and physical testing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with automotive industry standards (e.g., ISO, SAE) and manufacturing processes.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with annual bonuses tied to project success.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with significant employer matching.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development, including specialized training in automotive engineering and advanced technologies.
• Access to state-of-the-art vehicle testing facilities and design laboratories.
• A dynamic work environment at the cutting edge of automotive innovation.
• Potential for career advancement within a leading global automotive organization.