Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer – Wear Linings

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Our client is a leading global supplier of engineered process solutions and components for the minerals, metals, and industrial sectors. They provide innovative products and services to improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance safety in production environments. The company operates globally, combining deep engineering expertise with a practical, hands‑on approach to solving complex process challenges.

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will design, review, and provide technical leadership for mechanical products and systems, with a focus on materials handling, wear linings, and process equipment. The role requires a hands‑on engineer capable of providing end‑to‑end engineering support and solutions in a production environment, acting as a primary technical contact when remote from the main product development team.

• Lead the design, review, and evaluation of mechanical products and systems, ensuring deliverables meet applicable standards.
• Manage projects, including costing, steel estimates, and scheduling.
• Apply knowledge of materials handling, process equipment, and plant operations to solve complex engineering challenges.
• Conduct calculations for drives, drive ratios, chute and hopper capacities, flow velocities, pumps, pressures, and piping.
• Perform basic structural designs, evaluations, and strength of materials analyses.
• Provide guidance on hydraulic, pneumatic, and burner/gas‑fired equipment where applicable.
• Support plant maintenance planning and implementation.
• Develop and implement company‑specific engineering standards.
• Lead a small technical team (engineers/technicians), mentoring and guiding them on multidisciplinary challenges.
• Utilize simulation tools (e.g., Discrete Element Method) and 3D scanning technologies where relevant.
• Act as the primary technical contact for remote support to the product development team, with assertive and proactive problem‑solving skills.

• BSc/BEng in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years of post‑qualification experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in a production or process plant environment.
• Proven experience managing projects and leading small engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of steel cost estimation, project costing, and materials properties.
• Experience in materials handling systems; familiarity with process plant equipment and technical ceramics or wear plates is an advantage.
• Knowledge of pumps, piping, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, and basic structural engineering.
• Exposure to 3D scanning and simulation methods (e.g., DEM) is preferred.
• People management skills, with the ability to guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and ability to work independently in a remote‑support role.
• Knowledge of power plants (e.g., Eskom) and gas‑fired equipment is advantageous.
• Assertive and decisive technical leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving ability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality engineering solutions.