Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Automotive Sector

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health and medical保险

Generous paid time off and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance may be available

Job summary

Placements24 in Johannesburg seeks a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to drive mechanical design, validation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. The role focuses on conceptualizing and delivering components and systems for next-generation vehicles, with a blend of on-site work and remote flexibility.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in mechanical design, strong CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA/AutoCAD), and solid FEA/CFD knowledge, plus familiarity with automotive standards and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of progressive mechanical design experience, preferably in automotive.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of FEA and CFD principles and software.
• Experience with material selection, manufacturing processes, and DFM/DFA.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration across teams.
• Automotive standards experience is highly desirable.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and develop mechanical components and systems.
• Perform stress, thermal, and CFD analyses to validate designs.
• Create and maintain 3D models, drawings, BOMs, and reports.
• Collaborate with electrical, manufacturing, and R&D teams for integration.
• Oversee prototyping and testing; implement design modifications as needed.
• Ensure designs meet industry standards, regulations, and specs.
• Contribute to process improvements in design methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

FEA/CFD tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading player in the automotive manufacturing industry, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their dynamic team in **Johannesburg**. This role is pivotal in driving innovation and excellence in product development. You will be instrumental in conceptualizing, designing, and validating new mechanical components and systems for next-generation vehicles. The position offers a blend of on-site collaboration and remote flexibility, providing an optimal work-life balance. We are looking for an individual with a strong theoretical foundation and practical application of mechanical engineering principles, coupled with a passion for automotive technology. The successful candidate will contribute significantly to the design lifecycle, from initial concept through to production, ensuring all designs meet stringent performance, safety, and cost requirements. This is an exciting opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to the future of mobility in a collaborative and supportive environment. The **Johannesburg** office serves as a hub for innovation, and your contributions will be highly visible and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and develop mechanical components and systems using CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD).
• Perform detailed stress analysis, thermal analysis, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to validate designs.
• Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including 3D models, 2D drawings, bills of materials (BOM), and engineering reports.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineering, manufacturing, and R&D, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical designs.
• Oversee the prototyping and testing phases of new designs, analyze test results, and implement necessary design modifications.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, and customer specifications.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance within the design team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in mechanical design, preferably within the automotive sector.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and CFD principles and software.
• Demonstrated experience with material selection, manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, machining), and DFM/DFA principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams.
• Experience with automotive standards and regulations is highly desirable.
• Must be legally authorized to work in **South Africa**.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary package.
• Comprehensive health and medical insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to state-of-the-orth technology and facilities.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.