Engineer: Force, Torque, And Hardness at National Metrology Institute of South Africa

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

• To develop, maintain, and disseminate the National Measurement Standards for Force, Torque, and Hardness metrology, thereby supporting the South African and regional industry and trade.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE

• Three-year tertiary qualification in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering with at least 2nd year Mathematics/ Statistics/ Applied Mathematics/ Statistical Mathematics and Physics as subjects.
• Research and development experience.
• Software development skills and Knowledge.
• Working Knowledge of hydraulics systems and electronics.
• Knowledgeable on the realisation, maintenance, and dissemination of national measurement standards and related systems in the metrology field.
• Experience in general programming, laboratory automation, and scientific simulation software.
• Experience in the analysis of data, making corrections based on physics and statistical information.
• Ability to communicate accurately and concisely in a scientific context, to construct sound arguments supported by scientific principles, technically tangible evidence, and to accurately evaluate the reliability of conclusions reached.

The following will be an advantage:

• Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 and NMISA Total Quality Management System.
• An understanding of GUM and the Estimation of Measurement Uncertainty.
• Working knowledge of relevant International Published Document Standards (IEC and ISO).
• Minimum of three (3) years’ work experience in a laboratory/ technical environment (in acoustics, vibration, or metrology will be an added advantage).

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop/improve National Measurement Standards in the field of force, torque’ and hardness through either reducing the associated measurement uncertainty or designing and building a new measurement system to expand the measurement range or result in a new National Measurement Standard.
• Maintain the National Measurement Standards in the field of force, torque and hardness to ensure preventative maintenance as well as maintenance of the Total Quality Management System.
• Generate and validate procedures for the performance of measurements in the field of force, torque, and hardness.
• Operate test and measuring equipment to perform measurements in the field of force, torque, and hardness metrology.
• Maintain detailed records of equipment and measurement results.
• Participate in comparisons to prove local, regional, and international equivalence of the
• National Measurement Standard, or derived Measurement Standards, for force, torque, and hardness.
• Generate certificates and/or reports for the purpose of reporting measurement results.
• Generate measurement uncertainty budgets according to the GUM, to define the range of values, within which the true value is expected to lie with a specified level of confidence.
• Liaise with stakeholders in SA and relevant Regional and International organisations, to provide input from NMISA and gather information as input to NMISA’s strategic planning.
• Participate in metrology skills transfer both as a recipient and a trainer by attending courses
• and conferences, presenting at conferences, developing and presenting courses, or publishing papers.
• Provide consultation services to RSA, and internationally, provide input to NMISA’s strategic and business planning.
• Comply with NMISA’s policies and procedures and perform all duties in line with the Total Quality Management System.
• Initiate and follow up on the timely procurement of equipment, instruments, consumables, or other expenses required to execute the duties.
• Participate in local, regional, and international committees related to Metrology duties (e.g., SANAS specialist technical committees (STCs), Government departments, SABS technical committees, ISO committees, BIPM technical committees, etc.).