Senior Technical Assistant

Durban University of Technology; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Durban University of Technology (DUT) seeks a Senior Technical Assistant to operate CNC equipment and support student training in the Mechanical Engineering Department. The role involves maintaining laboratories, aiding both undergrad and postgrad activities, and assisting with seminars and practicals.

The successful candidate will have an N4 in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, plus an apprenticeship and at least 3 years of hands-on workshop experience.

Qualifications

• N4 Occupational Certificate in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship completed in a recognized mechanical trade.
• Minimum 3 years’ hands-on experience with workshop equipment such as lathes and fitting/turning.

Responsibilities

• Operate the Department's CNC equipment and support students’ training practicals.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate students; assist in research and entrepreneurial activities.
• Assist with administrative duties and laboratory development with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Maintain laboratories in full functional state and safe condition, and provide resources for student projects.
• Serve as invigilator for examinations and help manage stock and safety procedures.

Skills

Workshop skills

CNC experience

Communication skills

People management

Laboratory maintenance

Troubleshooting

Education

N4 Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Job description

With more than34400 students and approximately 1700 members of staff, theDurban University of Technology (DUT)is a leading university of technology proudly located in the beautiful cities ofDurbanandPietermaritzburg, along the warm east coast of South Africa. Founded in April 2002 through the historic merger of the former ML Sultan Technikon and Technikon Natal, DUT has evolved into a modern, metropolitan, multi-campus university with roots tracing back to 1907.

Today, DUT is recognisednationally and internationallyfor its excellence inteaching and learning, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and engagement. A proud member of theInternational Association of Universities, DUT continues to expand its influence across South Africa and the world. In the2025 Webometrics Rankings, DUT was ranked among theTop 6% of all universities and colleges worldwide, reflecting its academic excellence, research impact, and strong global visibility.

DUT’s Philosophy of Education, “Our creativity and innovation shape adaptive graduates who transform society,” reflects the institution’s deep commitment to meaningful impact for societal transformation. Guided by its inspirational and aspirational ENVISION2030 strategy, which is rooted in DUT’s DNA of being ‘people-centred and engaged’ and ‘innovative and entrepreneurial’ and underpinned by its bespoke Living Values Framework, DUT focuses on ‘contributing to the improvement of lives and livelihoods’.

The University comprises six diverse Faculties:

1. Accounting and Informatics
2. Applied Science
3. Arts & Design
4. Engineering and the Built Environment
5. Health Sciences
6. Management Sciences

DUT also includes a Business School and the award-winning Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), amongst other research centres and institutes, reinforcing its role as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and societal impact. Over the years, the University has substantially grown its research output, dominating the UoT sector. This is evidenced by the steady increase in NRF-rated researchers and the notable, unprecedented award of seven NRF SARCHi Chairs in 2025. This impetus helps us to remain deeply engaged with our communities globally, thereby transforming societies and economies.

At DUT, we believe in nurturing talent and empowering people to make a real difference. If you are passionate about contributing to education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and engagement, DUT offers the ideal environment - Creative. Distinctive. Impactful.

SENIOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

Minimum Requirements

• N4 Occupational Certificate aligned to Mechanical Engineering (E.g. Fitter and Turner/CNC Turning Machinist/Engineering Fabrication) or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship completed in a recognized mechanical trade.
• Minimum 3 years’ hands-on experience with workshop equipment and processes such as lathes and fitting/turning.

Additional Recommendations

• Artisan / Machinist experience with CNC machines/equipment (advantageous).
• Knowledge of CAD/CAM software (advantageous).
• Good communication, effective people management skills and adherence to workplace etiquette.
• Strong inter-personal skills in managing students of diversity and working with a diverse pool of staff.
• A strong passion for technical investigations, troubleshooting, repairs and creative development of laboratory.
• Aptitude to learn engineering application software, improve and engage in professional development activities.
• Good track record or relevant experience and desire to advance technical development in the Department.

Duties

• Operation of Departments CNC Equipment / Machines and supporting students’ training practical’s on the same.
• The successful candidate would be required to serve at all levels in the qualifications offered in the Department in the designated capacity.
• The successful candidate is required to serve both undergrad and post- graduate students, and actively involved in supporting both Research and Entrepreneurial activities in the Department.
• Assist with administrative duties such as venue set-up for seminars, lectures, practicals and actively involved in the development of our laboratories, with state-of-the-art facilities and carry out other duties as prescribed by the Head of Department or Representative.
• Serves under the guidance of the Senior Technician or assigned supervisor to discharge assigned duties including providing oversight of the assigned laboratory facilities in the Department.
• Ensures laboratories under management control, are maintained in full functional state and safe working condition to facilitate a disciplined and efficient execution of students practicals and projects.
• Assists academic staff in regularly assessing student's performance through practical assessment.
• Provide resources and technical support to students for their practicals and projects.
• Serve as Invigilator for examinations and Tests under the Chief Invigilator.
• Carry our maintenance of laboratory equipment, including repair and changing of components.
• Maintain an Inventory of all laboratory equipment and control the issuing of equipment and consumable stock usage, while updating stock registry of consumables and equipment.
• Undertake fault finding and troubleshooting tasks on Departmental hardware facilities and software tools.
• Monitor consumable and equipment stock and coordinate the purchase of consumable and capital items,
• Other such duties as may be assigned by the Senior Technician, Head of Department or Representative as delegated.

Contact Person: Mrs. Zulu: [e-mail]

Grade:11

Position status: Permanent

Publication: Internal & External

Closing date: 08 September2026

“While DUT strives for equal opportunities, preference will be in terms of the University’s equity policy” “The University reserves the right not to appoint”