Vacant Post – Electrician x2
Website ska_africa NRF/SARAO
Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Closing Date: 27 February 2026
🌍 About the Organisation
The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities, and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.
🎯 Job Purpose
To support availability and utilisation of Meerkat Radio Telescope and other telescopes by safely and cost-effectively providing preventative and corrective maintenance services, including installations, minor upgrades, repairs of electrical control systems, telescope wiring and lighting protection systems.
🛠️ Key Responsibilities
- Carry out daily corrective and preventative maintenance activities as per Line Manager instructions by applying technical knowledge, skills and experience.
- Fault finding all servo related issues on the telescope.
- Fault finding problems using a range of testing devices and electrical drawings and provide corrective action.
- Escalate problems falling beyond levels of expertise to line manager.
- Write concise and meaningful report on findings for management information or decision support.
- Suggest possible solutions drawing on technical knowledge, skills and experience.
- Emergency standby on MeerKAT.
- Keep Ramlog job cards filled in and accurately and meaningfully up to date.
- Draw information as required from maintenance planning functions.
- Receive inputs from planning function (planned and corrective).
- Corrective maintenance issues initiated by Servo Lead Technician.
- List material requirements for procurement/sourcing by manager.
- Using electrical test equipment, and relevant computer-based software in the course of technical diagnostic and fault-finding work.
- Install cables as per written job instruction and make practical adjustments.
- Test optimal functionality using electrical test equipment, and relevant computer-based software.
- Record actions on RAMLOG.
- Deployed to other work stations as identified / required.
- Assist with Digitizer installations, by fault finding and replacement on MEERKAT, SKAO MID and MKE.
- Use appropriate (crane) lifting and other equipment as required.
- Perform COC inspection and testing for SKAO telescopes using the requirement Certificate SA National Standard.
🔑 Key Requirements
Qualification
* Electrical Trade Test Certificate
* 3 years’ post qualification experience performing LV Electrical Maintenance and installations.
* Valid Motor Vehicle License (Code C Advantageous)
* Computer Literate.
Experience
* Electrical Line Maintenance
* Electrical Installations
* Electrical Maintenance
* HVAC Maintenance
* Electrical Motors repair and maintain.
* UPS Systems
Knowledge
Electrical Line Maintenance
HVAC Maintenance
Electrical Motors repair and maintain.
UPS Systems
Health and Safety
📋 Additional Notes
* Collaborative
* Great Communicator
* Great Interpersonal Skills
ℹ️ Information
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.
📨 Applications
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant’s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
Closing Date: 27 February 2026
The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.
The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only.
