Project Engineer – Automotive Industrialization

About the role

We are seeking a Project Engineer to join our Cape Town team and drive the industrialization of new automotive projects from design through to serial production. You will own the end‑to‑end process, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and customer expectations are consistently met.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the full Project Life Cycle (PLM) and End‑of‑Project (EOP) activities.
• Align and deliver on customer timelines, coordinating layout planning and process flow development.
• Lead DFMEA/PFMEA activities and ensure readiness for FMEA reviews.
• Drive Run@Rate (R@R) activities, prepare SOPs, and manage handover to operations for at least six months.
• Oversee shop‑floor activities during the project phase and handle Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) including trials and implementation.
• Support machinery specification, acceptance, and optimisation.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles such as Value Stream Mapping, line balancing, and poka‑yoke.
• Manage CAPEX budgets, track project costs, and ensure audit readiness and compliance with customer requirements.
• Provide training and technical support to operators until SOP is stable.

Required profile

• Degree or Higher Diploma in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of experience in automotive project industrialisation.
• Proven track record taking projects from design to serial production.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and core quality tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA).
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing tools and customer‑specific requirements (e.g., VW, Toyota) is an advantage.
• Fluent English with strong analytical and hands‑on mindset.

Required skills

• MS Office
• MS Project
• IATF 16949
• APQP
• PPAP
• FMEA (including DFMEA and PFMEA)
• SPC
• MSA
• Lean Manufacturing
• Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
• Line Balancing
• Poka‑Yoke