Senior Thermal Engineer

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Professional development budget

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) is seeking a Senior Thermal Engineer to lead heat-transfer design and optimization for complex products. You will perform advanced CFD/FEA analyses, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with design and testing teams to ensure performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

This role emphasizes hands-on development of thermal solutions such as heat sinks, fans, heat pipes, and liquid cooling, while keeping up-to-date with the latest thermal

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering with heat transfer/thermal sciences specialization.
• 7+ years of experience in thermal analysis and design.
• Experience with thermal testing equipment and data analysis.
• Proficiency in ANSYS Fluent or COMSOL.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed thermal analysis (CFD/FEA) for electronic and mechanical systems.
• Develop and design thermal management solutions (heat sinks, fans, heat pipes, liquid cooling).
• Collaborate with product development teams to integrate thermal solutions into designs.
• Specify and evaluate thermal materials and components for performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and execute thermal testing protocols, analyze results, and provide recommendations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in thermal management technologies.

Skills

Thermal analysis

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Heat Transfer)

Tools

ANSYS Fluent

COMSOL

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks an accomplished Senior Thermal Engineer to join their innovative team, contributing to the design and optimization of thermal management systems in Nelspruit. This role is essential for ensuring the performance, reliability, and efficiency of complex products by mastering heat transfer challenges. You will lead critical thermal analysis efforts, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate closely with design and testing teams. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a significant impact in a specialized engineering field, working within the scenic and developing region of Mpumalanga.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed thermal analysis (CFD, FEA) for electronic and mechanical systems to predict and optimize temperature performance.
• Develop and design thermal management solutions, including heat sinks, fans, heat pipes, and liquid cooling systems.
• Collaborate with product development teams to integrate thermal solutions effectively into product designs.
• Specify and evaluate thermal materials and components for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and execute thermal testing protocols, analyze results, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in thermal management technologies and methodologies.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Heat Transfer or Thermal Sciences.
• 7+ years of experience in thermal analysis and design, preferably in electronics or mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in thermal simulation software such as ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL, or similar.
• Strong understanding of heat transfer principles, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience with thermal testing equipment and data analysis.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Professional development budget for conferences and training.
• Opportunity to work on challenging and cutting-edge thermal projects in Nelspruit.
• Supportive and collaborative engineering culture.