Project Engineer at SARAO - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

Purpose:

• The Antenna Structures Project Engineer is part of an integrated project team whom, on behalf of the SKAO, is responsible for qualifying the SKA-Mid Dish Structure prototype and managing the main contractor deliverables during the production phase; ensuring that the dish structures are delivered, constructed, commissioned and tested against its requirements and that associated documentation are reviewed and configured prior to being handed over for further acceptance, integration and verification.
• This position involves interfacing with other SARAO and SKAO functional groups, as well as the main contractor and his subcontractors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute and/or support qualification and investigative tests on the first SKA dish structure prototype
• Data Analysis and Report writing
• Witness contractors Site Acceptance Tests and review test reports
• Managing Configuration and Change Control
• Project Management support

Key Requirements:
Qualification:

• BTech + 5 years’ experience ((preferably Mechanical or Mechatronics), or
• BEng + 4 years’ experience (preferably Mechanical or Mechatronics), or
• MEng + 3 years’ experience (preferably Mechanical or Mechatronics), or
• PhD + 1 year experience (preferably Mechanical or Mechatronics), and
• Valid driver’s license

Experience:

• Application and control of System Engineering processes and procedures, e.g. baseline establishment/management and change control
• Defining and execution of technical tests, post processing of test data (MATLAB or PYTHON), root cause investigation and technical report writing
• Exposure to project lifecycle / production environment
• Working experience in the astronomy, space or military industry desirable
• Project Management

Knowledge:

• Quality assurance systems
• Engineering standards
• Configuration management and configuration management systems
• Systems engineering methods, procedures, tools and techniques
• Servo control systems
• Large steel structures e.g. welding, stress relief, etc.
• Mechanical component/assembly fabrication and acceptance
• Radio Frequency Interference principals
• Production environment
• Engineering life cycle

Additional Notes:

• Willingness to travel local and abroad
• Working at remote sites for extended periods
• Integrated project team experience
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Word/Excel/Visio and PowerPoint
• Data processing and/or tests script development using Python or MATLAB
• Performing detail engineering tasks and analysis
• Conceptual / systems thinking
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to multi-task
• Effective communication in English (both written and verbally)
• Able to take initiative and work independently
• Self-disciplined, ordered and structure

Closes: November 12, 2024