Senior Mechanical Engineer — Innovative Product Design

Johnson Outdoors; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work with full flexibility

Home office setup assistance

Health insurance and retirement plan

Product discounts

Job summary

Johnson Outdoors Inc. is seeking a Senior Product Design Engineer for a fully remote role. You will lead the mechanical design and development of consumer products from concept through production, working with a distributed team across engineering, design, and marketing.

Location flexibility includes Mossel Bay, Western Cape, or any approved location in South Africa. The role requires a strong background in mechanical engineering, advanced CAD skills, and experience with manufacturability,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in product design and development with consumer products.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software; familiarity with FEA and simulation tools.
• Deep understanding of materials science, plastics injection molding and manufacturing processes.
• Strong conceptualization and problem-solving skills with aesthetic sense.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept to production.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for remote teamwork.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote setting.
• Experience with design for cost optimization is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new consumer products, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
• Utilize 3D CAD software to create detailed designs, prototypes, and production-ready models.
• Conduct engineering analysis (stress, thermal, vibration) to validate performance.
• Collaborate with industrial designers to refine aesthetics and user interaction.
• Work with manufacturing partners to ensure DFM and DFA.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation to meet specifications.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation (drawings, BOMs, instructions).
• Communicate design concepts to cross-functional teams via virtual meetings.

Skills

Remote collaboration

Problem solving

Conceptual design

Aesthetic sense

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Fusion 360

FEA / simulation tools

Job description

About the Role Our client, a highly innovative consumer goods company known for its award-winning product designs, is seeking a Senior Product Design Engineer to join their fully remote team. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and conceptualization through to design, development, and manufacturing. Working remotely from Mossel Bay, Western Cape, or any approved location in South Africa, you will play a key role in bringing new and exciting products to market. You will collaborate with a diverse, geographically distributed team of designers, engineers, and marketers. This role requires a blend of creative design thinking, robust mechanical engineering principles, and a passion for creating exceptional user experiences.Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and development of new consumer products, ensuring functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
• Utilize advanced 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360) to create detailed designs, prototypes, and production-ready models.
• Conduct thorough engineering analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration analysis, to validate product performance and reliability.
• Collaborate closely with industrial designers to refine product aesthetics and user interaction.
• Work with manufacturing partners and suppliers to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and assembly (DFA).
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation efforts to confirm product specifications and performance targets are met.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including drawings, BOMs, and assembly instructions.
• Effectively communicate design concepts and technical details to cross-functional teams through virtual meetings and presentations.
• Identify and implement innovative design solutions and technologies to enhance product value and competitive advantage.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in product design and development, with a strong portfolio showcasing successful consumer product launches.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD software and familiarity with FEA and simulation tools.
• Deep understanding of materials science, plastic injection molding, and various manufacturing processes.
• Excellent conceptualization and problem-solving skills, with a strong aesthetic sense.
• Proven ability to manage projects from concept to production.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, essential for remote teamwork.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision in a remote setting.
• Experience with design for cost optimization is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package.
• Full remote work flexibility with opportunities for occasional team meetups.
• Contribution towards home office setup and internet expenses.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Generous product discounts and early access to new releases.
• Opportunities for significant career growth and leadership within a rapidly expanding company.
• Work on products that reach millions of consumers worldwide.