Mechanical Engineer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About The Job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Mechanical Engineer in the Technology for Special Operations (TSO) Impact Area, within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to provide mechanical engineering inputs, support and outputs for the design and validation process leading to the manufacturing of components, assemblies and sub-systems used in a marine and military environment. The position is based in Stellenbosch.
• For more information about the Impact Area and Cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/technology-special-operations and https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security respectively.

Key Responsibilities 

• Work in a multi-disciplinary team to create (procure, modify or design) technical solutions to meet client requirements;
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on the interpretation of requirements, design reviews and trial feedback;
• Create engineering designs on 2D and 3D CAD;
• Compile product data packs (e.g. drawings, technical information, bill of materials etc.) for configuration;
• Manage the manufacturing, procurement, assembly and testing of your (and others) designs;
• Create technical content and system designs to the required reliability, availability and maintainability, while considering through-life cost;
• Evaluate and review designs of colleagues and external suppliers and provide technical insights;
• Assemble and integrate equipment, systems, structures and installations hands-on and supervisory;

Manage projects:

• Monitor and report risks, timelines and budget;
• Liaise with suppliers
• Manage and monitor internal resources
• Analyse and capture user requirements;
• Translate user requirements into engineering requirements;
• Investigate and perform feasibility studies and functional designs for Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs);
• Plan and perform acceptance trials for deliverables;
• Perform and assist with quality assurance work completed on deliverables;
• Provide input to test and evaluation specifications and/or procedures;
• Report on the interpretation of test and evaluation results for design feedback;
• Research and document current and emerging technologies and trends;
• Provide technical input for drafting of procurement tenders;
• Mentor and coach colleagues;

Qualifications, Skills And Experience 

• A Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering with at least one years experience in mechanical engineering design and draughting;

The following experience/exposure will be advantageous:

• Maritime engineering development;
• Boat design;
• Project management;
• Assembly and fitment of in-house designed components for prototyping and testing;
• Finite Element Analysis/Computational Fluid Dynamics;
• Hands-on (practical) experience in manufacturing, assembly and testing
• A broad understanding of other engineering disciplines e.g. electronics, systems engineering, software;
• Proficient in the use of parametric 3D CAD software (e.g. Inventor) and 2D CAD;
• Proficient in the use of MS Word and Excel;

Technical report writing skills;

Must be able to:

• Interact with customers and suppliers;
• Work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team;