Senior Mechanical Engineer

About the role

Solar MD is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to turn 3D models into locally manufactured products on its South African factory floor. The role bridges R&D simulations with heavy‑machinery processes, ensuring robust enclosures and effective thermal management for energy‑storage systems.

Key responsibilities

• Lead design and engineering of sheet‑metal enclosures, internal rack architectures and custom mechanical sub‑assemblies using SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor.
• Develop and own thermal‑management strategies, running CFD simulations to keep cell temperatures within strict limits.
• Collaborate with production teams to optimise designs for laser cutting, precision bending, CNC punching, welding and powder‑coating, reducing scrap and cycle times.
• Guide products through safety and structural compliance, including IP54/IP65 ratings and South African National Standards (SANS) testing.
• Work closely with electronic design (BMS/EMS) and assembly technicians to ensure seamless mechanical‑electrical integration.

Required profile

• BEng, BSc or BTech in Mechanical Engineering (ECSA registration preferred).
• Minimum 6 years of heavy mechanical design experience in sectors such as e‑mobility, automotive, power electronics or automated manufacturing.
• Proven experience with local manufacturing environments and South African supply‑chain standards.

Required skills

• Advanced SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor proficiency.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation tools.
• Sheet‑metal design, bend deductions, tolerance stack‑ups and structural steel limits.
• Knowledge of CNC punching, laser cutting, precision bending, welding and powder‑coating processes.
• Thermal‑fluid simulation, HVAC/liquid‑cooling layout and ducting design.
• Familiarity with South African steel grades and SANS compliance frameworks.