Casting Technologist Intern

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 89,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

The CSIR Photonics Center, Laser Enabled Manufacturing group is seeking a motivated Mechanical/Mechatronics Technologist Intern to join the Emerging Thematic Programme in the Future Production: Manufacturing Cluster. You will provide technical support to senior Scientists, Engineers and Technologists, contributing to RD&I activities in LEM projects.

You will gain exposure to additive manufacturing, optimize material properties, design and manufacture functional components, and help establish

Qualifications

• A degree in Metallurgical, Mechatronics or equivalent.
• Final year candidates may apply if the degree is completed before the start of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to literature review and write reports from literature; conduct experiments.
• Present work to the team and contribute to research symposiums.
• Assist in design, development, and testing of prototype systems related to explosive science, vehicle mobility, and soldier safety.
• Contribute to computational modelling tasks (multibody dynamics, finite element analysis).
• Document technical findings and assist in writing research reports for stakeholders.
• Support field experiments in DBEL, including data acquisition and analysis with high-speed cameras and sensors.
• Develop and evaluate innovative protection technologies for vehicles and personnel against explosive threats.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams on systems integration, automation, sensor deployment, and situational awareness technologies.
• Be involved in health and safety roles and ensure lab safety documentation is maintained.
• Troubleshoot faulty equipment as needed.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Education

BSc/BEng/BTech or Degree in Metallurgical, or Mechatronics or equivalent

Job description

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state. The CSIR has a vacancy for a Internship: Mechanical/ Mechatronics Technologist in the

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Internship: Mechanical/ Mechatronics Technologist

About The Job

The CSIR Photonics Center, Laser Enabled Manufacturing (LEM) group is seeking a motivated Mechanical/Mechatronics Technologist Intern to join the team in the Emerging Thematic Programme Research Group of the CSIR within the Future Production: Manufacturing Cluster. The incumbent will be required to provide technical support to senior Scientists, Engineers, and Technologists (SET) staff across various domains, contributing to research, development, and innovation (RD&I) activities in LEM projects. The position will offer exposure to additive manufacturing (AM) processes, optimize material properties, design and manufacture functional components, and establish robust process'structure' property relationships for industrial applications.

This position reports to Research Group Leader: Laser Enabled Manufacturing

For more information about the CSIR and the Photonics Centre, please visit https://www.csir.co.za and https://www.csir.co.za/csir-photonics-centre

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to literature review for the projects involved. Be able to use research tools available at CSIR and be able to write reports from literature and conduct experiments.
• Present the work done to the team and contribute to research symposiums in related fields.
• Assist in the design, development, and testing of prototype systems related to explosive science, vehicle mobility, and soldier safety.
• Contribute to computational modelling tasks, including multibody dynamic and finite element analysis, to simulate the effects of explosive events.
• Document technical findings and assist in writing research reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the preparation and execution of field experiments within the Detonics, Ballistics, and Explosives Laboratory (DBEL), including data acquisition and analysis using high-speed cameras and sensors.
• Participate in the development and evaluation of innovative protection technologies (technology demonstrators) for vehicles and personnel against explosive threats.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams on projects involving systems integration and automation, sensor deployment, and situational awareness technologies.
• Be involved in health and safety roles in our impact area.
• Be knowledgeable about safety while working in the laboratory.
• Be familiar with safety documents used in the lab. Be able to obtain or generate these documents.
• Be able to manage troubleshoot faulty equipment.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A BSc, BEng, BTech or Degree in Metallurgical, or Mechatronics or equivalent.
• Applicant must have a degree in the above stated fields; and applications can also be made while in the final year of the prior degree on condition that the degree is completed before the commencement the internship.
• At least 12 months of working experience in an engineering environment, whether basic university laboratories or industry-based experience.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Applicants Must Attach The Following Documents

• Certified copies of the applicant's latest academic results or transcript;
• Certified copies of tertiary qualifications;
• Curriculum vitae;
• If applicable, proof of registration from the university or a confirmation letter from the university.

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Opportunity to work alongside the best scientists, engineers and technologists.
• Exposure to state-of-the-art technologies.

Closing date: 27 September 2026

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at [e-mail]

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant's educational qualification and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.