Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Reference: DBN000049-KdV-1

Company based in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town is seeking to hire a skilled Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join their team. Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of mechanical and structural designs from concept development through detailed design, manufacture, installation and commissioning, applying sound engineering judgement and recognized industry standards

• Analyze complex design requirements, operating conditions and interfaces; identify practical solutions; and make timely, well-supported engineering decisions

• Plan, prioritize and coordinate design activities, technical inputs and deliverables across multiple projects to meet agreed scope, quality and schedule requirements

• Develop practical, manufacturable solutions for machinery, industrial equipment, steel and aluminum structures, and marine or subsea equipment, considering material properties and fabrication processes such as welding and machining

• Communicate design intent, technical risks and the basis for engineering decisions clearly to project managers, production personnel, suppliers and clients, and coordinate multidisciplinary interfaces

• Create and maintain accurate three-dimensional models, engineering calculations, finite element analyses, manufacturing-ready drawings, bills of materials and controlled technical documentation.

• Review and verify designs for strength, stiffness, safety, functionality, manufacturability and compliance with project requirements and applicable codes before release

• Lead or participate in design reviews, resolve design queries and production deviations, and implement controlled design changes while maintaining technical accountability and traceability

• Conduct site surveys and inspections, verify existing conditions and design inputs, and provide technical support during manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline

• At least 10 years’ mechanical or structural design engineering experience, including responsibility for concept development, detailed design and manufacturing deliverables in heavy manufacturing, mining, materials handling, marine or offshore environments

• Demonstrated ability to analyses complex design requirements, operating conditions and interfaces, identify practical solutions and produce accurate engineering outputs

• Proven engineering judgement, with the ability to make timely, well-supported decisions and take accountability for design quality, safety, compliance and delivery

• Ability to plan, prioritize and coordinate design activities, technical inputs and deliverables across multiple projects to meet scope, quality and schedule requirements

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain design intent, technical risks and engineering decisions to multidisciplinary teams, clients, suppliers and production personnel

• Thorough knowledge of mechanical design, structural mechanics, steel and aluminium properties, and fabrication processes including welding and machining, with the ability to apply this knowledge to practical, manufacturable designs

• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks, including weldments, sheet metal and large assemblies, and strong AutoCAD capability for producing and revising two-dimensional engineering and fabrication drawings

• Practical experience using finite element analysis software, such as SolidWorks Simulation, including defining load cases and boundary conditions, assessing strength and stiffness, and documenting assumptions, results and conclusions

• Strong knowledge and practical application of engineering drawing standards, GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, material specifications, weld details and manufacturing documentation requirements

• Experience reviewing designs for functionality, manufacturability, safety and compliance; resolving production queries and deviations; and implementing controlled design changes with appropriate technical traceability

• Willingness and ability to conduct site surveys and inspections and to provide technical support during manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning

• Professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa, or progress towards registration, will be advantageous