Senior Mechanical Engineer - Automotive Components

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is assisting a prestigious automotive components manufacturer in Cape Town, Western Cape, seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design, development and validation of complex mechanical systems. You will apply CAD and FEA tools across the product lifecycle, mentor engineers, and ensure quality and regulatory standards in a hybrid work setup.

You will manage projects from concept to production, leveraging materials science expertise and lifecycle management in a collaborative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's preferred).
• 7+ years in mechanical design within automotive.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA/Inventor) and 2D drafting.
• Experience with FEA (ANSYS/Abaqus) for component simulation.
• Knowledge of casting, forging, machining, and injection molding.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers in hybrid work setup.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive applications using CAD software.
• Perform stress, thermal, and vibration analysis with FEA tools.
• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance across product lifecycle.
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation to meet specs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve engineering challenges during design and manufacturing.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and standards.
• Prepare design specs, test reports, and manufacturing instructions.
• Stay updated on automotive engineering advancements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Inventor

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished manufacturer of high-performance automotive components, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their dynamic team in Cape Town, Western Cape . This role is integral to the design, development, and validation of innovative mechanical systems and parts for the automotive industry. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in mechanical design, material science, and product lifecycle management, coupled with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. You will be responsible for taking projects from conceptualization through to production, ensuring adherence to stringent quality and performance standards. This position offers a compelling opportunity to work on cutting-edge automotive technologies in a collaborative and innovative setting in Cape Town , with a flexible hybrid work arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and systems for automotive applications, utilizing advanced CAD software.
• Perform detailed analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration analysis, using FEA tools to ensure design integrity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance, throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Oversee prototype development, testing, and validation to ensure components meet performance specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex engineering challenges during the design and manufacturing phases.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, standards, and methodologies.
• Prepare technical documentation, including design specifications, test reports, and manufacturing instructions.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in automotive engineering, materials, and manufacturing technologies.
• Mentor junior engineers and share technical expertise within the team.
• Ensure all designs comply with industry standards and customer requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in mechanical design engineering, with a significant focus on the automotive sector.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor) and 2D drafting.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) for component simulation.
• Strong understanding of automotive industry standards, materials, and manufacturing processes (e.g., casting, forging, machining, injection molding).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage multiple projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and collaboration.
• Experience with hybrid work models and effective remote collaboration tools is beneficial.
• Must be based in or willing to commute to Cape Town .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Hybrid work arrangement for improved work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work on innovative automotive technologies.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• Be part of a leading company in the automotive supply chain, located in scenic Cape Town .