System Engineer at SARAO - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africa’s activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The main purpose of the job is to work as part of a team executing the systems engineering during design, construction, integration, verification and commissioning of the SKA Mid Dishes and associated supporting systems, both in the laboratories in Cape Town and on site at Carnarvon in the Northern Cape.

Key responsibilities:

• Plan and execute assembly, integration and verification of complicated systems, both in the laboratory and in the field.
• Responsible for systems engineering over multiple lifecycle phases with a strong ability to address the specialty engineering and “ilities” of systems design, for sub-systems and systems with medium criticality.
• Establishing baselines and design configurations, including preparing and implementing engineering changes to the baselines.
• Performing detail engineering analysis and synthesis of alternative solutions derived from unclear or vague specifications.
• Reviewing and integrating multiple activity reports into system level analysis and reports to ensure quality and integrity of results and recommendations.
• Provide “field engineering” services after delivery to aid in fault diagnostics and rectification.
• Coaching or mentoring one or more young engineers in the field of engineering and specifically systems engineering.
• Participate in work teams focussed on Project or Programme planning and strategic decision making.
• Contribute to the organisational maturity through the maintenance and upgrade of engineering processes within his/her realm of responsibility.

Key requirements:
Qualification:

• B.Tech (Eng) with 6+ years; OR
• B.Eng/B.Sc (Eng) with 4+ years; OR
• M.Eng with 3+ years; OR
• PhD/D.Eng with 1+ years

Experience:

•  A background in development of systems in radio astronomy, radar, satellite or avionics systems is preferred.
•  Integration, test and verification of complicated systems which includes RF, digital and mechanical elements.
•  Applied Systems Engineering across the multiple lifecycle stages of a system or product, at all levels up to user systems (L5) of the systems hierarchy.
•  Use of Computer-aided Systems Engineering Tools (e.g. CORE)
•  Application and control of systems engineering processes and procedures.
•  Baseline establishment and management.
•  Change control

Knowledge:

• Recognised domain knowledge of systems engineering, technology and/or software, based on theoretical aspects and experience in systems engineering methods, procedures, tools and techniques.
• Configuration management and configuration management systems.
• Systems Engineering Standards, e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288 & 15289,
• Quality assurance systems (ISO 9001)
• Knowledge of the PFMA and related procurement regulations

Additional Notes:

The applicant should have the following skills/abilities/competencies:

• Operate independently or as part of a team to engineer products and systems, typically at any level of the systems hierarchy from materials & components up to systems.
• Undertake engineering activities covering multiple lifecycle phases of the system under development with a strong ability to address the specialty engineering and “ilities” of system design.
• Perform detailed engineering tasks and analysis with limited or no supervision, employing academic and practical knowledge gained on the job.
• Provide systems engineering on a primary system across multiple domains while supporting a secondary product development.
• Contribute to- or lead- the evolution and implementation of improved engineering processes.
• Use advanced interpersonal skills in order to influence engineering attitudes and systems design for operational environments.
• The System Engineer will operate within a matrix engineering organisation and thus may be deployed between various projects and teams with different specific roles as dictated by the current organizational needs.
• ASEP/CSEP accreditation will be an advantage