Back to freelancer search

Tafadzwa C.

Mechanical Design & Simulation Engineer | Product Development | SolidWorks | Creo | COMSOL | ANSYS

Harare, Zimbabwe

Global rank:

11,514 / 141,428

Skill pts: 5

Bill of Materials BOM CAD Engineering Part Design SolidWorks

Get a quote

About

I am a Mechanical Design and Product Development Engineer specializing in transforming ideas into production-ready products through advanced CAD engineering, simulation, and manufacturing-focused design.

My experience spans consumer products, industrial equipment, aerospace components, transportation systems, manufacturing tooling, structural assemblies, and custom mechanical mechanisms. I work with startups, inventors, manufacturers, and engineering teams to develop reliable, manufacturable solutions from concept through prototyping and production.

I focus heavily on reducing technical risk before manufacturing by combining engineering analysis with practical design decisions. Rather than simply producing CAD models, I evaluate functionality, manufacturability, assembly, material selection, and long-term reliability throughout the development process.

Areas of Expertise

• Mechanical Product Design
• Industrial Product Development
• Mechanism Design
• Sheet Metal Design
• Injection Molded Product Design
• Plastic Part Design
• Metal Fabrication Design
• CNC Manufacturing Design
• Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Reverse Engineering
• Production Drawings
• Tolerance Analysis (GD&T)
• Bill of Materials (BOM)
• Rapid Prototyping
• Failure Investigation
• Engineering Optimization

CAD Software
- SolidWorks
- PTC Creo
- Autodesk Inventor
- Siemens NX
- CATIA

Engineering Simulation
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- ANSYS Mechanical
- ANSYS Fluent
- Abaqus
- LS-DYNA
- HyperMesh

Simulation capabilities include:

- Static Structural Analysis
- Nonlinear Analysis
- Dynamic Analysis
- Thermal Analysis
- CFD
- Contact Analysis
- Fatigue Evaluation
- Buckling
- Motion Studies
- Multiphysics Simulation

Industries
- Consumer Products
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Industrial Equipment
- Manufacturing
- Medical Devices
- Furniture
- Robotics
- Energy
- Agricultural Equipment

I believe successful engineering is about solving problems before they become expensive. My workflow combines engineering analysis, manufacturing knowledge, and practical product development to produce designs that are functional, manufacturable, and ready for real-world use.

Experience

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer Designwave · Full-time Jan 2025 – Present 1 yrs 7 mos Masvingo, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe As Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, I lead the development of complex mechanical systems and products from concept through production across aerospace, transportation, industrial equipment, consumer products, and advanced engineering projects. My role extends beyond CAD modeling to encompass product architecture, engineering analysis, technical leadership, manufacturability, prototype development, and production readiness.

I work closely with multidisciplinary teams and clients to transform concepts into reliable, manufacturable products by combining advanced mechanical design, engineering simulation, and manufacturing engineering principles.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead end-to-end mechanical product development from concept generation through prototype validation and manufacturing.
- Develop product architectures for complex assemblies, precision mechanisms, structural systems, electromechanical products, and industrial equipment.
- Perform engineering feasibility studies, technical risk assessments, and design optimization before detailed development begins.
- Create highly detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, production drawings, GD&T documentation, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), tolerance analysis, material selection, and manufacturing process optimization.
- Perform advanced engineering simulations including structural FEA, nonlinear analysis, contact analysis, fatigue, vibration, thermal analysis, CFD, and multiphysics validation using COMSOL Multiphysics, ANSYS, Abaqus, and LS-DYNA.
- Collaborate with prototype manufacturers and suppliers to ensure successful transition from engineering design to production.
- Lead engineering design reviews while identifying technical risks, improving product reliability, reducing manufacturing cost, and optimizing overall product performance.

Areas of Project Experience

- Aerospace engineering and scaled aircraft development
- Precision turbine and jet engine component design
- Consumer product development
- Industrial machinery and equipment
- Structural engineering
- Automotive and mobility systems
- Marine engineering projects
- Manufacturing tooling and production equipment
- Custom mechanical mechanisms
- Sheet metal assemblies
- Injection-molded products
- CNC machined components
- Welded structures
- Electromechanical assemblies

Manufacturing Experience

- CNC Machining
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Laser Cutting
- Waterjet Cutting
- Injection Molding
- Additive Manufacturing
- Composite Structures
- Welded Fabrications
- Precision Assembly
- Prototype Development

Notable Engineering Contributions

- Led the mechanical development of multiple aerospace engineering programs, including the design of 1:7 scale aircraft platforms based on the Airbus A350 and Airbus A380, with emphasis on structural integrity, manufacturability, and precision assembly.
- Designed scaled jet engine assemblies and turbine blades for high-performance RC propulsion systems, balancing aerodynamic performance with manufacturing feasibility.
- Directed engineering development across numerous confidential consumer and industrial products, delivering production-ready CAD, engineering documentation, simulation validation, and manufacturing support.
- Improved engineering workflows by integrating simulation-driven design methodologies early in product development, reducing technical risk prior to prototype manufacturing.
MECHANICAL DESIGNER C&C Engineering · Freelance Jan 2025 – Present 1 yrs 7 mos Zimbabwe Working as a Mechanical Design Engineer and Manufacturing Consultant, I support the development of fabrication-ready engineering solutions for structural steel, marine, architectural, and custom manufacturing projects. My responsibilities include transforming client concepts into production-ready CAD models, CNC manufacturing data, engineering drawings, and fabrication documentation while ensuring manufacturability, accuracy, and efficient production.

I collaborate closely with fabricators, machinists, and project stakeholders to optimize designs for laser cutting, CNC machining, welding, assembly, and installation, helping reduce manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity and product quality.

Key Responsibilities

- Design fabrication-ready components and assemblies for architectural, industrial, and marine applications.
- Produce CNC laser cutting and plasma cutting DXF files for production.
- Develop detailed manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, and fabrication documentation.
- Create parametric 3D CAD models and assemblies for custom engineering projects.
- Optimize designs for manufacturability, material utilization, and production efficiency.
- Support prototype development and production planning.
- Assist with material selection, manufacturing methods, and fabrication workflows.
- Perform tolerance reviews and ensure compatibility between manufactured components.
- Collaborate with workshop personnel to resolve fabrication challenges and improve production quality.

Manufacturing Experience

- CNC Plasma Cutting
- CNC Laser Cutting
- Steel Fabrication
- Welded Structures
- Sheet Metal Design
- Marine Fabrication
- Structural Assemblies
- Manufacturing Documentation
- Assembly Planning
- Production Support

Project Experience

- Designed CNC-ready components for architectural gates, security doors, window frames, fencing systems, decorative panels, and structural fabrications.
- Developed fabrication drawings and production files for welded steel assemblies and custom metal products.
- Contributed to the engineering and manufacturing of marine projects, including structural components and fabrication support for custom boats.
- Produced optimized cutting layouts and manufacturing documentation to improve production efficiency and reduce material waste.
- Assisted with custom engineering solutions requiring close coordination between design and workshop fabrication teams.
- Supported clients throughout the manufacturing process by refining designs based on fabrication feedback and production requirements.

Core Competencies

- Mechanical Design
- CAD Modelling
- Manufacturing Engineering
- CNC Manufacturing
- Fabrication Engineering
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Production Drawings
- Welding Design
- Structural Design
- Sheet Metal Engineering
- Reverse Engineering
- Technical Documentation

Education

Harare Institute of Technology B.Tech, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, 2.1 2018 – 2023 Activities and Societies: Football

Other experience

Archicad I do design architectural structures and more