Laboratory Technician / Engineering Technologist

Citra; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Citra Laboratory in Cape Town is seeking a meticulous Laboratory Technician / Engineering Technologist to manage daily operations of our materials testing lab. You will prepare samples, conduct structural tests, and ensure data accuracy for reliable decisions.

The role involves handling experiments, recording results, and supporting R&D Project Engineers in validating new materials such as cement composites and foundation systems. A hands-on, precise approach is essential.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Science or related field.
• 1–3 years in a construction materials laboratory (commercial or academic).
• Knowledge of SANS, ASTM or ISO testing standards for concrete and cementitious materials.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace for data logging and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Perform material testing (compression, tension, flexural) on concrete, composites, and steel.
• Prepare samples, mix, cast, and cure per mix designs.
• Record data, draft lab reports and document observations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Hands-on approach

Data integrity

Organizational skills

Education

National Diploma / BTech / BSc in Civil Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

Hydraulic testing machines

Data loggers

Google Workspace

Job description

# Job Description: Laboratory Technician / Engineering Technologist

Department: Research & Development (R&D)

Unit: Citra Laboratory (CL)

Location: Cape Town Service Hub (Upper Camp)

Reporting Line: Reports to the Laboratory Manager

About the Role

The Citra Laboratory is where our theories are put to the test. As a Laboratory Technician / Engineering Technologist, you are the guardian of scientific rigor within Citra.

We are looking for a meticulous and hands‑on individual to manage the daily operations of our materials testing lab. You will be responsible for preparing samples, executing critical structural tests, and ensuring that every data point we use to build the "Home as a Product" is accurate, repeatable, and reliable. You will work closely with R&D Project Engineers to validate new materials, from advanced cement composites to novel foundation systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Experimental Execution & Testing

• Material Testing: Conduct standard and non-standard destructive testing (compression, tensile, flexural) on concrete, composites, and steel components.
• Sample Preparation: Manage the precise mixing, casting, and curing of test specimens (e.g., concrete cubes, composite beams) ensuring strict adherence to mix designs and cure times.
• Prototyping Support: Assist engineers in the physical assembly and load testing of larger structural prototypes (e.g., wall sections, roof connections).

2. Data Recording & Reporting

• Data Integrity: Capture test results immediately and accurately into Citra’s digital reporting systems. You are responsible for the raw data that drives strategic decisions.
• Technical Reporting: Draft concise lab reports summarizing test conditions, failure modes, and observed anomalies.
• Visual Documentation: Photograph and catalogue test specimens before, during, and after failure for analysis.

3. Laboratory Management & Safety

• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine calibration and maintenance on lab equipment (presses, actuators, mixers) and coordinate external servicing when required.
• Inventory Control: Manage stock levels of raw materials (binders, aggregates, fibers) and consumables to ensure testing is never delayed.
• SHREQ Compliance: Enforce strict Health & Safety protocols within the lab, ensuring a clean, organized, and hazard‑free environment.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: National Diploma, BTech, or BSc in Civil Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 1–3 years of hands‑on experience in a construction materials laboratory (commercial or academic).
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with testing standards (SANS, ASTM, ISO) regarding concrete and cementitious materials.
• Digital Literacy: Competence with Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs) for data logging and reporting.

Preferred:

• Composite Experience: Specific experience mixing or testing fiber-reinforced concrete or polymer composites.
• Equipment Skills: Ability to operate and troubleshoot hydraulic testing machines and data loggers.

Core Competencies

• Precision: An obsession with accuracy—measuring ingredients to the gram and recording data to the decimal.
• Practicality: A "doer" who enjoys being on their feet, mixing materials, and physically setting up experiments.
• Integrity: Uncompromising honesty in reporting results, even (and especially) when a test fails.
• Organization: The ability to manage multiple test series simultaneously without losing track of samples or data.

Why Join Citra?

This is not just a testing job; it is a role at the heart of innovation. You will be the first person to see if a new Citra technology works. Your hands‑on work will directly enable us to build safer, stronger, and more affordable homes for thousands of people.