Vacant Position – Systems Engineer x3

Contract Type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 27 March 2026

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.

The main purpose of the job is to work as part of a team executing the systems engineering on projects covering design, development, construction, integration, verification and commissioning of complicated systems, elements, subsystems and associated supporting infrastructure and operational systems, both in the facilities in Cape Town and on site at Carnarvon in the Northern Cape.

Key Responsibilities:
* Ensuring delivered systems meet stakeholder needs through executing requirements engineering by defining, analysing and managing requirements, establishing and maintaining traceability and developing system and sub-system design-to specifications
* Converting stakeholder needs and requirements into physical engineered systems through executing functional and physical architecting, analysis and synthesis, identifying and creating ICDs, performance analysis, performing FMECAs to implement safety in design and generating performance, build-to and maintain 􀂲to specifications
* Deliver systems with verified performance and quality through implementing ICDs, physically assembling items, preparing and executing Verification Plans, Test instructions, ATPs and QTPs, ATRs and QTRs and establishing and maintaining baselines (DBL, QBL, PBL, OsBL)
* Ensuring the delivered systems continue to operate and deliver the expected performance by maintaining the PBS in ALIM, managing baseline changes via ECPs, CNs, waivers, concessions, etc., performing Root Cause Analysis and designing modifications to eliminate failure modes
* Ensure the engineering is executed with integrity and risk is managed by assisting in compiling Project SEMPs, technical schedules, WBS and SOWs and providing inputs into engineering process reviews

Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* B.Tech (Eng) with 6+ years RELEVANT experience; OR
* B.Eng/B.Sc (Eng) with 4+ years RELEVANT experience; OR
* M.Eng/M.Sc (Eng) with 3+ years RELEVANT experience; OR
* PhD/D.Eng with 1+ years RELEVANT experience,
* AND
* Must be eligible to register as PrEng/PrEng Tech with ECSA

Experience:
* A background in development of systems in radio astronomy, radar, satellite or avionics systems is preferred.
* Physical, hands-on experience in integration, test and verification of complicated systems which includes RF, digital and mechanical elements.
* Applied Systems Engineering across the multiple lifecycle stages of a system or product, at all levels up to user systems (L5) of the systems hierarchy.
* Model-Based Systems Engineering and the use of Computer-aided Systems Engineering Tools (e.g. CORE/GENESYS)
* Application and control of systems engineering processes and procedures.
* Baseline establishment and management.
* Engineering Change control

Knowledge:
* Recognised domain knowledge of systems engineering, technology and/or software, based on theoretical aspects and experience in systems engineering methods, procedures, tools and techniques.
* Integration, test and verification of complex systems
* Baseline establishment and engineering change control
* Configuration management and configuration management systems.
* Application of Systems Engineering Standards, e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 & 15289, along with the associated processes and procedures,
* Quality assurance systems (ISO 9001)
* Knowledge of the PFMA and related procurement regulations

Additional Notes:
* The applicant should have the following skills/abilities/competencies:
* – Operate independently or as part of a team to engineer products and systems, typically at any level of the systems hierarchy from materials & components up to systems.
* – Undertake engineering activities covering multiple lifecycle phases of the system under development with a strong ability to address the specialty engineering and “ilities” of system design.
* – Perform detailed engineering tasks and analysis with limited or no supervision, employing academic and practical knowledge gained on the job.
* – Contribute to- or lead- the evolution and implementation of improved engineering processes.
* – Use advanced interpersonal skills in order to influence engineering attitudes and systems design for operational environments.
* – The Systems Engineer will operate within a matrix engineering organisation and thus may be deployed between various projects and teams with different specific roles as dictated by the current organizational needs.
* – INCOSE ASEP/CSEP accreditation will be an advantage

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 March 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