A results-driven Industrial Engineers (x2) with a strong background in optimizing manufacturing processes, improving productivity, and supporting product development. Skilled in working across departments—including design, production, and quality—to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality operations. Experienced in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methods, with a solid understanding of engineering principles, data analysis, and industrial systems. Committed to driving operational excellence, reducing waste, and supporting new product introductions from concept to production.
Your role:
- Participate in design reviews, including Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFA).
- Collaborate with design and engineering teams to ensure product designs align with efficient, scalable, and cost-effective production processes.
- Provide feedback during the development phase to enhance manufacturability and reduce future production risks.
- Develop strategies for transitioning products from prototype to mass production (industrialization).
- Conduct trials and pilot runs to validate new product processes and make necessary adjustments.
- Ensure that all tooling, equipment, and material requirements are identified and in place before full-scale production.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve industrialisation-phase challenges and ensure readiness for handover to production.
- Support prototype builds and early-stage production to validate design intent and production feasibility.
- Work with design and finance teams to estimate production costs and optimize value in early design stages.
- Analyse and improve manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.
- Conduct experiments and simulations to test and validate process improvements.
- Ensure processes comply with industry regulations and standards.
- Develop and document standard work procedures, process flows, and work instructions.
- Train operators, technicians, and other stakeholders on new or revised processes.
- Implement lean manufacturing tools and Six Sigma principles to drive continuous improvement.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities across labor, materials, and cycle time.
- Design optimal facility layouts to support smooth production flow and ergonomic safety.
- Plan future expansion or infrastructure requirements for new product lines.
- Monitor and analyse key manufacturing metrics—such as cost, cycle time, process complexity, and yield projections—during the design and development phase to ensure products are optimized for manufacturability and scalable production. Use statistical tools to assess process capability and stability (SPC, DOE).
- Prepare reports and dashboards to guide process and business decisions.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions for recurring issues.
- Ensure audit readiness and maintain process documentation and traceability.
- APQP Implementation
Knowledge and Skills Required:
- Understanding of Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles
- Knowledge of product industrialisation and process validation methods
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing and Six Sigma tools
- Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE)
- Awareness of industry quality standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, or similar
- Knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP)
- Understanding of tooling, equipment, and materials used in production
- Proficiency with ERP systems
- Ability to develop standard operating procedures and work instructions
- Skills in root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques
- Understanding of production cost estimation and value engineering
- Knowledge of manufacturing metrics and how to use them for continuous improvement
Experience Required:
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience in industrialization, manufacturing process engineering, or a related field
- Experience working with product transitions from prototype to mass production
- Proven track record in process improvement, lean manufacturing, and quality management systems
- Exposure to cross-functional collaboration in design, production, and supply chain teams
Competencies:
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, industrialisation, tooling, and production equipment
- Ability to apply lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and quality management principles
- Proficiency in statistical tools like SPC and DOE, and ERP systems
- Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and decision-making
- Ability to analyse data and manufacturing metrics to drive improvements
- Experience with APQP
- Ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional teams
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Professionalism and strong work ethic
- Oral and written communications skills
- Be proactive and take initiative and is proactive
Qualification:
- Degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering or any Electronic Engineering related field
- A master’s degree or certifications such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or APQP would be an added advantage
What you will be a part of
SGD has reinforced its position as a leading South African defence and security company, bringing capabilities including electronic warfare systems, sensor technology, training systems, avionics, security and support solutions to the African and international markets. These capabilities are supplied and supported over the air, land, sea and civil security domains.
With new and improved technological systems and solutions, SGD increases a country’s defence capabilities and provides innovative, effective products and services for those tasked to maintain security. The company also works with various stakeholders in gathering data and providing insight into how security threats evolve, and what the best market-customised solutions are.
If you aspire to help create and innovate whilst developing yourself in a challenging team setting, Saab may well have the perfect conditions for you to grow. We pride ourselves on a nurturing environment, where everyone is different yet we share the same goal – to help protect people.
SGD will give preference to South African citizens and we also welcome applications from individuals with culturally diverse backgrounds