Senior Technician

Durban University of Technology; Durban; On-site; ZAR 320,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Durban University of Technology (DUT) is seeking a Senior Technician for its Mechanical Engineering labs in Durban. The role focuses on testing, lab operations, staff supervision, and maintaining safe, functional laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's/BTech in Mechanical Engineering (NQF 7) and at least 3 years of relevant experience, plus strong communication and people-management skills to work with a diverse academic community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/BTech in Mechanical Engineering (NQF 7) or closely related.
• At least 3 years of technical experience / professional / industrial experience.
• Strong communication and people management skills; ability to work with diverse staff and students.

Responsibilities

• Perform testing and analysis for undergraduate and postgraduate students, DUT staff, students and staff from other universities, and clients from industry.
• Oversee operations of all laboratories/workshops in the department.
• Manage and monitor all laboratory/workshop staff.
• Ensure laboratories under management are maintained in full functional state and safe working conditions.

Skills

Communication

People management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/BTech in Mechanical Engineering (NQF 7)

Tools

CNC machines

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 TECHNICIAN

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor's/BTech qualification in Mechanical Engineering (NQF 7) or closely related.
• At least 3 years of technical experience / professional /industrial experience.

Additional Recommendations

• Experience with CNC machines will be an added benefit.
• Primary qualifications accredited by a professional body such as the Engineering Council of South Africa
• Good communication, effective people management skills, and adherence to workplace.
• 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, and to improve and engage in professional development activities.
• Good track record or relevant experience and desire to advance technical development in the department.

Duties:

• Perform testing and analysis for undergraduate and postgraduate students, DUT staff, students and staff from other universities, and clients from industry.
• Oversee operations of all laboratories/workshops in the department.
• Manage and monitor all laboratory/workshop staff.
• Ensure laboratories under management control, are maintained in full functional state and safe working conditions to facilitate a disciplined and efficient execution of students’ practicals and projects.
• Carry out maintenance of laboratory equipment, including repair and changing of components.
• Undertake fault finding and troubleshooting tasks on departmental hardware facilities and software tools.
• Maintain an inventory of all laboratory equipment, control the issuing of equipment and consumable stock usage, and coordinate the purchase of consumable and capital items.
• Assist with administrative duties such as venue set-up for seminars, lectures, practicals and be actively involved in the development of our laboratories, with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Assist academic staff in regularly assessing student's performance through practical assessments.
• Provide resources and technical support to students for their practicals and projects.
• Be actively involved in supporting Research and Entrepreneurial activities in the department.
• Serve as Invigilator for examinations and tests under the Chief Invigilator
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of Department or Representative as delegate.

Contact Person: PF. Zulu

Email: [e-mail]

Grade: 9

Position status: Permanent

Publication: Internal & External

Please complete an official application for employment form obtainable from our website www.dut.ac.za and send a detailed a covering letter with the exact name of the post you are applying for and copies of all the qualifications when applying.

1. Communication will be entered into with short-listed candidates
2. Only applications made on our application for employment form would be considered.
3. Please quote the post reference number in the email subject.

Closing date: 08 September 2026

“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”