Overview
Junior Design Engineer Jobs in City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa at Flybox®
Title: Junior Design Engineer
Company: Flybox®
Location: City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Junior Design Engineer
Engineering Department | Cape Town, South Africa | Hybrid
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Department: Engineering
Location: Cape Town, South Africa (Hybrid — on-site at Western Cape flagship project + home working)
Reports To: Lead Engineer — Insect Systems
Salary: See Compensation section
Travel: Occasional — primarily within South Africa; possible international travel as experience grows
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
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About Flybox
Flybox is a UK based engineering company with extensive presence in South Africa at the forefront of Insect Waste Management (IWM) technology. We design, manufacture, and commission modular insect farming systems — from container-scale units to our flagship Fortress factory systems — that convert organic waste into premium agricultural commodities at economics that compete with fishmeal and biogas. We have delivered 11 projects across four continents and are now entering our most ambitious growth phase, with high-profile commercial Fortress installations underway and a strong global sales pipeline.
The Role
Flybox is looking for a sharp, hungry Junior Design Engineer to join our engineering team at a pivotal moment. You will work directly under the Lead Engineer on the design, documentation, and delivery of our Fortress insect farming systems — the most cost-competitive IWM technology on the market. This is not a graduate scheme. We need someone who can open SolidWorks, build a 3D model, and produce a clean set of engineering drawings without being walked through every step. You will get exposure to real projects, real clients, and real consequences — fast. Insect industry experience is not required. Technical aptitude, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn a genuinely novel engineering domain are what we are looking for.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce detailed 3D CAD models and 2D engineering drawings for Fortress system components, facility layouts, and equipment integrations using SolidWorks.
- Run HVAC airflow and thermal simulations to support climate control design.
- Generate bills of materials (BOMs), services drawings, and technical documentation for projects.
- Support the quoting process by producing preliminary conceptual layouts and equipment block diagrams.
- Liaise with external manufacturers and suppliers to resolve drafting discrepancies and procurement queries.
- Maintain and organise engineering files in line with team standards (CAD-to-Drive management system).
- Support project management activities: scheduling, Gantt charts, procurement tracking.
- Assist with on-site installation and commissioning activities — primarily within South Africa, with potential international travel as you develop.
- Spend meaningful time on-site at our Nando's flagship project to understand how our systems are built, operated, and maintained.
What You Bring
- Education: Degree or National Diploma in Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Industrial Engineering.
- CAD Proficiency: Solid working knowledge of SolidWorks (or equivalent parametric CAD software). You can model, assemble, and draw without supervision.
- Attention to Detail: Your drawings are clean, your BOMs are accurate, and you check your work before sending it.
- Processing Flows (Bonus): Any exposure to waste processing or feed processing equipment is highly advantageous.
- Fabrication Awareness: Understanding of manufacturing processes — sheet metal, structural steel, welding — helps you design things that can actually be built.
- Communication: Clear written English. You can write a concise technical note and ask a good question.
- Drive: You want to grow fast. You ask questions, take initiative, and don't wait to be told what to do next.
The Opportunity
- Work on genuinely novel technology — our Fortress system is unlike anything else in the insect farming sector.
- Rapid skill development: you will be exposed to mechanical design, HVAC, process engineering, and project management in a single role.
- On-site learning at our Nando's flagship project — see your designs built and operating in the real world.
- A flat team where your work is visible and your contribution matters from week one.
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Compensation
Salary range: £15,000 – £25,000 per annum. South African market benchmark for a Junior Design Engineer (1–3 years' experience).
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Flybox is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a high-performance team regardless of identity factors. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.