SALT Technical Operations Manager

South African Astronomical Observatory

Sutherland

On-site

ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A leading research facility in South Africa is seeking a Technical Operations Manager for the SALT project. The role involves overseeing the operations and maintenance of the SALT Telescope, leading a multidisciplinary team, and ensuring successful night operations. The ideal candidate has extensive engineering education and experience with project management in high-tech environments. This full-time position offers the opportunity to advance operational excellence and contribute to scientific productivity.

Qualifications

Eligible to register with ECSA as a Professional Engineer.
15 years in a high technology and multi-disciplinary product/system environment.
5 years of Project Management experience.
Within the 15 years, at least 5 years of line-management experience of a multi-disciplinary technical team.
Excellent written and oral communication in English and strong leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily coordination of telescope activities.
Ensure regular maintenance of equipment.
Drive performance and efficiency improvements.
Identify opportunities to improve reliability, quality, and efficiency using industrial standards.
Provide input and strategic direction for upgrades and obsolescence mitigation programs.

Skills

Project Management

Management of a multi-disciplinary technical team

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Communication

Education

PhD(Eng) + 10 years or MEng/MSc(Eng) + 13 years or BEng/BSc(Eng) + 15 years

MEng/MSc in Engineering

BEng/BSc in Engineering

Job description

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Overview

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is established by an Act of Parliament and mandated to contribute to national development by supporting, promoting and advancing research and human capacity development, through funding and the provision of the necessary research infrastructure, in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including humanities, social sciences and indigenous knowledge; and supporting and promoting public awareness of, and engagement with, science.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) is the National Facility for Optical and Infrared Astronomy of the National Research Foundation (NRF). Its headquarters are in Cape Town, while its telescopes, including the 10m SALT, are at Sutherland in the semi-arid Northern Cape. Distributed between the two sites, the SAAO employs roughly 130 people, many of them scientists and engineers. The SAAO is the premier optical/infrared research facility on the African continent, with global research and outreach collaborations and contributing human capacity development for South Africa.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), on behalf of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) Foundation (Pty) Ltd, is seeking qualified candidates for the position of SALT Technical Operations Manager.

Position Summary

The SALT Technical Operations Manager is an engineer based in Sutherland and working within the SAAO staff structure. The main purpose of this position is to lead the operations, maintenance, and upgrades of SALT. This position manages a team of engineers and technicians in Sutherland and in Cape Town and reports to the SALT Director.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee the daily coordination of all telescope activities and ensure that the telescope is ready for night operations.
Ensure maintenance is conducted regularly, proactively and rapidly, keeping the success of night time operations the highest priority without compromising the integrity of the telescope and/or its instrumentation.
Drive the continued enhancement and development for SALT.
Proactively identify opportunities for performance and efficiency improvements by applying proven industrial standards on reliability and quality.
Provide input and strategic direction for upgrades and obsolescence mitigation programs.
Work together with the relevant teams and the SALT Director to define projects and priorities and ensure adequate resourcing.
Provide direction and guidance to team leads and ensure all equipment and required facilities for telescope operation are readily available.
Performance manage the SALT Technical Operations team.
Maintain timely communication with the SALT Director, with the Astronomy Operations manager / team, the SALT Observatory Scientist and observers on duty regarding technical problems that may affect night-time operations.
Implement systems to minimise technical and engineering downtime and maximise scientific productivity of the telescope.
Cultivate an environment that supports personal and organisational growth. Motivate and mentor the team to optimise engagement and productivity by aligning training for career development and addressing skills/technical gaps in the team.
Implement a culture of skills identification, resource planning and adequate knowledge transfer to minimise institutional knowledge loss through staff turnover.
Prepare and manage the SALT Technical Operations budget with the help of the SALT CFO, the SALT Observatory Scientist and the SALT Director.
Prepare the necessary reports for the SALT Director timeously.
Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety matters at SALT. Ensure safety remains at high importance and visibility.

Key Requirements

Qualification:

PhD(Eng) + 10 years or MEng/MSc(Eng) + 13 years or BEng/BSc(Eng) + 15 years (Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Systems, Industrial)
Eligible to register with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng)

Experience:

Fifteen (15) years of experience in a high technology and multi-disciplinary product / system and operations environment.
Within the above 15 years, Five (5) years of Project Management experience of a multi-disciplinary engineering project.
Within the above 15 years, Five (5) years of Line-management experience of a multi-disciplinary technical team.
Proven ability to collaborate within a fast-paced team and perform effectively under tight deadlines, demonstrating a positive, solution-oriented attitude as a team.

Knowledge:

Project Management
Management of a multi-disciplinary technical team

Desirable Additional Education, Work Experience and Personal Qualities:

Registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) would be a strong advantage
Leadership and/or management course and experience
Experience in Strategic Leadership and Portfolio Management
Expertise in all aspects of operational management, including planning, project management and problem solving.
Experience with Occupational Health and Safety requirements.
Knowledge of Engineering Asset Management Frameworks
Experience and Knowledge of Configuration Management
Experience in Financial Management budgeting and forecasting
Experience in Technology Management
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Excellent people management, leadership, interpersonal, and organisational skills, strong decision-making ability.
Systems Engineering Management qualification and experience would be a strong advantage.
Engineering Asset Management course and experience
Financial Management course and experience
Technology Management course and experience

Closing Date: 24 September 2025

The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.

Seniority level