Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, Heavy Mining Equipment

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Performance‑based incentives

Professional development support

Internal training programs

Opportunities for advancement

Job summary

Placements24 is sourcing a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a prominent mining equipment manufacturer in Richards Bay, KwaZulu‑Natal. The role emphasizes robust mechanical design, advanced CAD and FEA, and hands‑on development of mining machinery components that endure harsh environments.

The successful candidate will lead complex design projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver safe, reliable equipment that meets stringent industry standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 7+ years of mechanical design experience, preferably within the heavy equipment or mining machinery sector.
• Proficiency in CAD software SolidWorks and Inventor and FEA tools ANSYS or NASTRAN.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, pneumatics, material science, and failure analysis.
• Experience with complex mechanical assemblies, gearboxes, and powertrain systems.
• Knowledge of fabrication processes such as welding, machining, and casting.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and refine mechanical components and systems for large‑scale mining machinery.
• Perform detailed stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and thermal analysis using FEA software to ensure design robustness.
• Create comprehensive engineering drawings, schematics, and 3D models using industry‑standard CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor).
• Collaborate with project managers, manufacturing engineers, and field service teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, maintainable, and meet operational requirements.
• Specify materials and manufacturing processes appropriate for harsh operating conditions.
• Oversee prototype fabrication and conduct rigorous testing and validation to verify design performance.
• Investigate and resolve design‑related issues encountered during production or in the field.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safety standards, environmental regulations, and industry best practices for mining equipment.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of product design and engineering processes.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on design projects.

Skills

CAD proficiency

FEA analysis

Structural mechanics

Hydraulics

Pneumatics

Materials science

Failure analysis

Gearboxes & powertrain

Team collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Job description

Placements24 is sourcing a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a prominent mining equipment manufacturer in Richards Bay, KwaZulu‑Natal. The role emphasizes robust mechanical design, advanced CAD and FEA, and hands‑on development of mining machinery components that endure harsh environments.

The successful candidate will lead complex design projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver safe, reliable equipment that meets stringent industry standards.