Mechanical Design Engineer

Typical experience: 5–8 years.

A Mechanical Design Engineer leads component and system design from concept to production-ready drawings. They work for manufacturers of industrial equipment, automotive components and capital goods, making sure designs are strong, safe and practical to manufacture at the right cost.

What the role involves

• 3D modelling and detailed drawings in SolidWorks, Inventor or similar CAD software
• Engineering calculations, material selection and tolerance analysis
• Design for manufacture, working closely with the workshop and production
• Prototyping, testing and design changes
• Bills of materials and engineering change control

Typically required

• BEng or BTech in Mechanical Engineering
• Strong CAD skills and experience producing manufacturing drawings
• Knowledge of relevant SANS or ISO standards; FEA experience is an advantage
• Pr.Eng or Pr.Tech registration (or working towards it) is an advantage for senior roles

Red flags we screen for

• Drafting experience only, without design responsibility
• No exposure to how their designs were actually manufactured

How PKB Talent Partners recruits Mechanical Design Engineers

We ask candidates for examples of designs they owned, check their CAD platform against yours, and screen on salary and notice period. Candidates are submitted only with written consent.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Draughtsman and a Design Engineer?

A Draughtsman produces drawings from someone else’s design. A Design Engineer is responsible for the design itself, including the calculations and decisions behind it.

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Read more about how PKB Talent Partners recruits for this role on our Mechanical Engineer Recruitment South Africa page.

Role descriptions on this page are indicative and for general guidance only. Requirements and pay vary by employer, location and experience and are not a guarantee of any offer.