Senior Mechanical Stress Engineer

Placements24; Benoni; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Provident fund

Job summary

Placements24 in Benoni, South Africa, seeks a Senior Mechanical Stress Engineer to ensure structural integrity of high-performance components through advanced FEA analysis. You will perform detailed linear and nonlinear stress, fatigue, and thermal analyses using leading software and mentor junior engineers.

The role requires a PhD or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, at least 7 years of experience, and strong scripting for automation.

Qualifications

• Advanced stress and fatigue analysis using FEA software.
• Strong foundations in solid mechanics and material behavior.
• Experience with nonlinear analysis and design validation.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed linear and nonlinear stress, strain, thermal, and vibration analyses.
• Interpret results to assess integrity, predict life, and identify failure modes.
• Collaborate with designers to guide design iterations for performance.
• Develop and validate analysis models with experimental data where available.
• Define material properties and boundary conditions for simulations.
• Document procedures, results, and recommendations in technical reports.
• Stay current with advancements in FEA and materials science.
• Mentor junior engineers on stress analysis principles.
• Contribute to company-wide engineering analysis standards.

Skills

Stress analysis

Finite Element Analysis

Problem solving

Technical writing

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS Mechanical

Abaqus

NASTRAN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in high-performance engineered components, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Stress Engineer for their facility in Benoni . This role is critical for ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of their products through advanced analysis and design validation. You will be responsible for performing complex stress, strain, and fatigue analyses using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, and providing crucial insights to the design and development teams. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of solid mechanics, material science, and advanced simulation techniques, along with a proven ability to solve challenging engineering problems. This is an opportunity to apply your expertise to critical components in demanding applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed linear and non-linear stress, strain, thermal, and vibration analysis on mechanical components and assemblies using FEA software (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus).
• Interpret simulation results to assess structural integrity, predict component life, and identify potential failure modes.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical designers to provide feedback and guide design iterations for improved structural performance.
• Develop and validate analysis models, ensuring accuracy and correlation with experimental test data where available.
• Define material properties and boundary conditions accurately for simulation models.
• Document analysis procedures, methodologies, results, and recommendations in comprehensive technical reports.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in FEA technology, simulation techniques, and material science.
• Mentor junior engineers on stress analysis principles and best practices.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of company-wide engineering analysis standards and processes.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a strong emphasis on Solid Mechanics and Finite Element Analysis.
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience focused on mechanical stress analysis and simulation.
• In-depth expertise with industry-leading FEA software packages (e.g., ANSYS Mechanical, Abaqus, NASTRAN).
• Strong theoretical knowledge of elasticity, plasticity, fracture mechanics, fatigue, and material behavior under various loading conditions.
• Experience in handling complex geometries and loading scenarios.
• Proficiency in scripting or programming for automation of analysis tasks is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits including comprehensive medical aid and a provident fund, and significant opportunities for professional development and advancement. Located in Benoni , this role provides a challenging yet rewarding environment for a dedicated stress engineer. You will work on cutting-edge projects, contribute to the reliability and performance of critical components, and benefit from a supportive and innovative engineering culture.