Senior Mechanical Designer - Heavy Machinery

Placements24; Randburg; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 client in Randburg, Gauteng, seeks a Senior Mechanical Designer to lead the design of heavy machinery from concept through production, ensuring performance, safety and manufacturability.

You will apply advanced CAD tools (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA), perform stress analyses, select materials, and mentor junior engineers while collaborating with manufacturing, testing and project teams in a hybrid on-site/off-site setting.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive mechanical design experience focusing on heavy machinery.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA).
• Strong knowledge of FEA and material selection.
• GD&T and manufacturing processes expertise.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of new heavy machinery from concept to detailed drawings.
• Create 3D models and manufacturing drawings with CAD tools.
• Perform stress and fatigue analyses and tolerance stack-ups.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, assembly, and testing teams.
• Develop and maintain BOMs and design documentation.
• Mentor junior design engineers and stay current with industry trends.

Skills

Mentoring

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

CATIA

FEA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier manufacturer of specialized heavy machinery for the mining and construction industries, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Designer to join their engineering department in **Randburg**, **Gauteng**. This role is responsible for conceptualizing, designing, and developing robust and efficient mechanical systems for complex machinery. The Senior Mechanical Designer will lead design projects from initial concept through to production, ensuring designs meet performance, safety, and manufacturability requirements. We are looking for an experienced and creative engineer with a strong portfolio in heavy equipment design and proficiency in advanced CAD software. This is a crucial role in driving product innovation and maintaining our client's market leadership. Your expertise in stress analysis, material selection, and component design will be vital in creating high-performance machinery. The hybrid nature of this role allows for focused design work and collaboration remotely, combined with essential on-site presence for team meetings, prototype reviews, and project coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design of new heavy machinery and components, from concept to detailed drawings.
• Utilize advanced CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA) to create 3D models, assemblies, and detailed manufacturing drawings.
• Perform engineering calculations, including stress analysis, fatigue analysis, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Select appropriate materials and components based on design requirements, performance criteria, and cost considerations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, assembly, and testing teams to ensure designs are practical and meet production needs.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, including Bills of Materials (BOMs) and technical specifications.
• Mentor and guide junior design engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence.
• Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in mechanical design.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in mechanical design, with a strong focus on heavy machinery, industrial equipment, or mining equipment.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA).
• Solid understanding of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and other simulation tools.
• Experience with material science, manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, casting), and GD&T.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be located in or able to commute to **Randburg**, **Gauteng**.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and insurance benefits.
• Opportunity to work on challenging and innovative projects with leading-edge technology.
• Professional development opportunities and support for further education.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment.