Senior Radio Frequency Systems Engineer at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Radio Frequency (RF) Systems Engineer in the Radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to model, design and develop RF modules, sub-systems and antennas. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Interpret EW system requirements and specifications for design and development;
• Generate detail sub-system and Module item development specifications.
• Detail modelling of RF module- and antenna designs;
• Design, develop and test Radio Frequency Hardware;
• Debug, fault find and perform testing of RF Hardware including detail design validation.
• Comply with project configuration management systems and practice;
• Generate data packs and design documentation;
• Generate and execute appropriate acceptance test procedures.
• Understand and implement full development life cycle;

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in electronic engineering with at least five years’ relevant RF experience; OR
• A Master’s degree in RF or electronic warfare engineering field with at least three years’ relevant RF experience;
• Experience in the following is required:
  • Antenna design, testing and measurement,
  • RF Hardware design and testing (Up/down converters),
  • Simulation for design aspects as required,
  • Radio Freq, L, S, C, X, Ku, K and Ka-bands,
• Radar and Electronic Warfare design will be advantageous;
• Knowledge of schematic design and PC board layout
• General analogue electronics (e.g. op-amp circuits, power supplies) will be advantageous
• Mechanical and thermal interface concept design of RF and antenna circuits will be advantageous
• Must be able to interface with other engineers for detail design;
• The following skills and/or training will be advantageous:
  • MATLAB development
  • FEKO or similar simulation environments,
  • Hardware and software interfacing;
  • Systems engineering;
  • Understanding of RF and digital sub-systems;
  • Understanding of the implementation considerations for hardware and software;
• Proven capability of document preparation;
• Strong analytical thinking skills.

Deadline: 04/08/2025