Senior Mechanical Design Engineer - Propulsion Systems

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Medical and dental insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Paid time off

Professional development and learning

Flexible work schedule and home-office

Equipment provided

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for a fully remote role with Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA as a base. The position focuses on propulsion system design, development, and optimization, leveraging CAD tools and CFD/FEA analysis in a remote team.

You will shape high-performance components, drive cross-functional collaboration, and contribute across the product lifecycle in a globally distributed environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; Master's preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive mechanical design experience, with propulsion or complex fluids.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD) and FEA/CFD tools (ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Strong knowledge of materials science, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics in propulsion.
• Remote work ability with effective collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex mechanical systems with propulsion focus using CAD.
• Perform stress, thermal, and CFD analyses to validate designs.
• Create and maintain drawings, specifications, and BOMs.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, and manufacturing teams in a virtual environment.
• Identify design improvements for performance, reliability, and cost.
• Stay updated on propulsion technology and methodologies.
• Contribute to product lifecycle from concept to production in a remote setup.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards and safety regulations.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers in the remote team.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical skills

Communication

Remote collaboration

Independent work

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in advanced engineering solutions, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their dynamic, fully remote team. This pivotal role focuses on the design, development, and optimization of cutting-edge propulsion systems. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of high-performance mechanical components, contributing directly to groundbreaking projects. As a remote-first organization, we foster a collaborative and flexible work environment where your contributions are valued regardless of physical location. This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated engineer to leverage their expertise in a challenging and rewarding setting, driving innovation from their home office in Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA or any other suitable remote location.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop complex mechanical systems, with a strong emphasis on propulsion technology, utilizing CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA).
• Perform detailed stress analysis, thermal analysis, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to validate designs.
• Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists, in a virtual environment.
• Identify and implement design improvements to enhance performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of propulsion systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in mechanical engineering and propulsion technology, applying new methodologies to projects.
• Contribute to the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization and prototyping to testing and production support.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards and safety regulations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers within the remote team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mechanical design, with a significant focus on propulsion systems or complex fluid dynamics.
• Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD) and FEA/CFD simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Strong understanding of material science, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics as applied to propulsion.
• Demonstrated experience in product development lifecycle, from concept to production.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, suitable for effective remote collaboration.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a remote setting.
• Experience with Agile development methodologies is a plus.
• Must be legally eligible to work remotely and reside in Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA, or other approved remote locations.

Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our remote workforce.

• competitive annual salary
• performance-based bonuses
• comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• a generous retirement savings plan with company matching
• paid time off
• opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• We provide a flexible work schedule and the necessary equipment to ensure a productive remote working environment.

Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being in a fully remote capacity.