Senior Mechanical Designer

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance and wel

Paid annual leave and public holidays

Relocation assistance may be available

Opportunities for professional develop

Job summary

Placements24 client, a Richards Bay-based industrial equipment manufacturer, seeks a Senior Mechanical Designer to lead mechanical system conception, design, and detailing. The role emphasizes robust CAD-driven solutions, manufacturability, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation, a solid portfolio, and the ability to translate complex requirements into cost-effective designs for heavy equipment projects in KwaZulu-Natal.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years experience as a Mechanical Designer or Drafter with a strong portfolio.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor or similar.
• Solid understanding of statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with materials selection, manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, casting), and GD&T.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and simulations.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience in heavy industrial or mining equipment sector is advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, and systems for industrial machinery and equipment using CAD software.
• Create detailed 3D models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and BOMs.
• Perform stress analysis, thermal analysis, and other engineering calculations to validate designs.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and manufacturing teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Specify materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes for components.
• Review and verify designs prepared by other team members.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues during prototype development and production.
• Research and evaluate new technologies and materials to improve product performance and reduce costs.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards, safety regulations, and customer specifications.
• Maintain design documentation and revision control throughout the product lifecycle.

Skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Engineering calculations

Education

Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Inventor

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading industrial equipment manufacturer based in the key port city of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking an accomplished Senior Mechanical Designer. This role is integral to our client's product development lifecycle, focusing on the conceptualization, design, and detailing of robust mechanical systems and components. The ideal candidate will possess a keen eye for detail, a comprehensive understanding of mechanical engineering principles, and extensive experience with CAD software. You will be responsible for translating complex requirements into practical, cost-effective, and manufacturable designs, while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to innovative projects in a growing sector and to advance your career within a well-established organization. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of engineering and require a designer who shares this passion.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, and systems for industrial machinery and equipment using CAD software.
• Create detailed 3D models, 2D manufacturing drawings, and bill of materials (BOMs).
• Perform stress analysis, thermal analysis, and other engineering calculations to validate designs.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and manufacturing teams to ensure design feasibility and manufacturability.
• Specify materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes for components.
• Review and verify designs prepared by other team members.
• Troubleshoot design-related issues that arise during prototype development and production.
• Research and evaluate new technologies and materials to improve product performance and reduce costs.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards, safety regulations, and customer specifications.
• Maintain design documentation and revision control throughout the product lifecycle.

Requirements

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of proven experience as a Mechanical Designer or Drafter, with a strong portfolio of design work.
• Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar.
• Solid understanding of mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• Experience with materials selection, manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, casting), and GD&T.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and simulations.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Experience in the heavy industrial or mining equipment sector is advantageous.
• Must be able to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package based on experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness benefits.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and upskilling.
• Paid annual leave and public holidays.
• Exposure to cutting-edge industrial projects.
• Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates.