Principal Software Engineer

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

Competitive pay

Pension & medical benefits

CSIR Excellence Awards

Job summary

The CSIR in Pretoria seeks a Principal Software Engineer to lead and contribute hands-on software development for mining digital platforms, focusing on sustainability, safety, productivity and efficiency.

You will drive architecture, oversee end-to-end delivery, mentor staff and engage with clients while shaping proposals and project roadmaps within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in computer, electrical, mechanical, mechatronic or electronic engineering with at least ten years' software development experience
• Experience in software and solution architecture, full‑stack development, systems integration, data engineering and software delivery management
• Experience with modern front-end, back-end and data technologies (Angular, TypeScript, Node.js, Python, RESTful APIs, SQL/NoSQL, Git, CI/CD, testing)
• Experience with machine learning and computer vision, including object detection or segmentation models, training and deployment
• Knowledge of cloud-based platforms, digital twins, SaaS, data integration and real-time data management
• Strong systems engineering capabilities translating user requirements into system requirements and specs
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in project management, business development, proposal development and mentoring junior staff advantageous
• Knowledge of mining value chains, processes, SCM, CAD/CAM, digital twin modelling and HIL environments advantageous

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the software development lifecycle, including requirements definition and traceability
• Lead full-stack development, integration and data engineering across the digital platform portfolio
• Architect fit-for-purpose solutions across web, mobile, back-end, data and machine‑learning components
• Define and drive test strategies, QA/QC processes, development specifications and acceptance test plans
• Develop and implement project management systems, processes and tools to support software development and delivery
• Evaluate and conduct experimental test work, pilot studies and post‑project reviews to support client decision making
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement actions across software delivery and platform performance
• Manage internal and external client engagements as the primary technical contact
• Contribute to proposals including scoping, solution design, costing and RFQs
• Coordinate interdisciplinary proposals and support balanced project pipeline
• Build, lead and manage the software engineering team, allocating work and overseeing milestones
• Coach, mentor and upskill junior staff, transferring knowledge and building capacity

Skills

Full-stack development

Software architecture

Data engineering

Machine learning

Cloud platforms

Systems engineering

Stakeholder management

Project management

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

Tools

Angular

TypeScript

Node.js

Python

REST APIs

SQL/NoSQL

Git

CI/CD

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 Principal Software Engineer 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.

Principal Software Engineer

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Software Engineer in the Mining Technical Solutions group within the Mining cluster. The incumbent will provide technical leadership and hands‑on software engineering expertise for the conceptualisation, design, development, integration and optimisation of digital platforms and software tools for mining systems, with a focus on environmental sustainability, health, safety, productivity and operational efficiency. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the unit, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across the software development lifecycle, including user requirements definition, system‑level requirements, solution architecture, functional flows and requirements traceability.
• Lead and contribute hands‑on to full‑stack software development, integration and data engineering across the digital platform portfolio.
• Architect fit‑for‑purpose solutions across web, mobile, back‑end, data and machine‑learning components, and identify and optimise the technology stack for current and future projects.
• Define and drive test strategies, QA/QC processes, development specifications, acceptance test plans and reports for digital platforms and tools.
• Develop and implement appropriate project management systems, processes and tools to support software development and delivery.
• Evaluate and conduct experimental test work, pilot studies and post‑project reviews to support client decision‑making and demonstrate value.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement improvement actions across software delivery and platform performance.
• Manage internal and external client engagements, acting as a primary technical point of contact and translating user requirements into workable solutions.
• Contribute to business development and provide significant input into proposals, including scoping, solution design, costing, external funding submissions and RFQs.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary proposals and support the development of a balanced project pipeline aligned with the Mining cluster strategy roadmap.
• Build, lead and manage the software engineering team, allocating work and overseeing delivery against milestones and deadlines.
• Coach, mentor and upskill junior staff, transferring knowledge and building team capability and capacity.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer, electrical, mechanical, mechatronic or electronic engineering with at least ten years' experience in software development, of which three years must be in a senior, lead or technical leadership capacity;
• Demonstrated experience in software and solution architecture, full‑stack development, systems integration, data engineering and software delivery management;
• Experience with modern front‑end, back‑end and data technologies, including Angular, TypeScript, Node.js, Python, RESTful APIs, SQL/NoSQL databases, Git, CI/CD, testing and software development project‑management tools;
• Experience with machine learning and computer vision, including object detection or segmentation models, model training, deployment and human‑in‑the‑loop workflows;
• Knowledge of cloud‑based platforms, digital twins, software‑as‑a‑service offerings, data integration, subsystem interfaces and real‑time or ad hoc data management;
• Systems engineering experience, including the ability to translate user requirements into system requirements, architecture and functional specifications;
• Strong analytical capability, including mathematical and statistical ability;
• Good communication, interpersonal, report‑writing, stakeholder‑management and client‑liaison skills;
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and contribute effectively in multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience in project management, business development, proposal development and mentoring junior staff will be advantageous;
• Knowledge of mining value chains, mining processes, mining management systems, engineering equipment, SCADA, PLC, CAD/CAM, digital twin modelling, dynamic‑system modelling or Hardware‑in‑the‑Loop environment simulator systems will be advantageous;

What's in it for you?

The CSIR Offers

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market‑related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

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.