Electronic Design Engineer: Hardware and Embedded Software at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Electronic Design Engineer in the Technology for Special Operations (TSO) impact area within the Defence and Security Cluster.  The incumbent will be responsible to provide electronic engineering inputs to support a strong multi-discipline team, and outputs for the design and validation process leading to the manufacturing of components, assemblies, and sub-systems to be used in a maritime and military environment. This position is based in Stellenbosch. 

Key responsibilities:

• Design, model, test and integrate electronic engineering components to operate in a harsh maritime environment;
• Design, test and commission analog and digital electronic hardware;
• Write, test and commission embedded software and firmware;
• Debug and resolve hardware and embedded software or firmware issues;
• Integrate existing equipment, electronic systems, and installations;
• Provide concept and system designs;
• Complete data pack segments for configuration;
• Collaborate and communicate with other engineers, including proactive documentation of work and contribution to review and development processes;
• Analyse and capture user requirements in suitable documents;
• Interpret user requirements and translate it into engineering requirements;
• Conduct investigations and feasibility studies for engineering change proposals (ECPs);
• Compile test and evaluation specifications;
• Plan and conduct environmental- and EMC qualification testing for systems and subsystems;
• Conduct and perform acceptance trials for South African National Defence Force (SANDF) systems and sub-systems;
• Design and execute field experiments; analyse and interpret the data; and report on results;
• Assist with quality assurance on work completed for SANDF systems and sub-systems;
• Plan and manage tasks, budget and resources, delegate appropriately.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Science/Engineering degree in electronic engineering with at least five years’ experience in the design and integration of analog electronics, digital electronics and embedded software;
• A master’s degree will be advantageous;
• Must be able to:
  • Design analog and digital electronic circuits;
  • Write embedded software and/or firmware in C;
  • Setup and use microcontroller peripherals (GPIO, UART, CAN, I2C);
  • Read and interpret specifications, schematic diagrams and data sheets;
  • Use lab equipment such as oscilloscopes, signal generators, network analysers, spectrum analysers, Vector Network Analysers (VNAs) and power supplies effectively;
  • Work as part of an interdisciplinary team;
  • Provide customer training and interaction;
  • Register as a Candidate Engineer with ECSA;
  • Take ownership of a project and taking initiative in the position;
• Knowledge and/or experience with the following will be advantageous:
  • Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design and layout in Altium;
  • Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design and accreditation tests;
  • Electronics modelling and simulation;
  • Design of in-house test equipment;
  • STM microcontrollers;
  • Qt framework development in C++;
  • Git software version control;
  • Diving experience and/or knowledge of diving equipment;
  • Battery technology and/or alternative energy sources;
  • Energetic materials and systems;
  • MIL-SPEC and/or STANAG qualification procedures and processes;
  • Armscor acquisition processes.
• Have a broad understanding of other engineering disciplines, especially mechanics, for integrated design/engineering solutions;
• Must have:
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to apply engineering knowledge at a graduate level to provide simple, but effective engineering solutions to complex problems;
  • Technical report writing and presentation skills;
  • Good communication skills to grow effective relationships with industry partners, clients and third parties;
• Must be:
  • Competent in basic electronic integration tasks such as soldering, wire stripping, crimping, cabling, mechanical assembly – i.e. be willing to get your hands dirty;
  • A South African citizen (No dual citizenship);
  • Able to attain and retain a South African Security Clearance in accordance with the classification of the work being conducted;
• May be required to travel to client locations and potentially do fieldwork in adverse weather conditions on maritime equipment.