Technical Officer (Post Level 10)

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellenbosch University seeks a Technical Officer to manage the Mechatronic Laboratory on Stellenbosch Campus. You will set up practicals, assist with PLC software, design new equipment, and maintain lab systems.

Collaboration with students and staff is essential to deliver capstone projects and ensure safe, efficient lab operations. The role requires EC-SA accredited qualifications in mechatronics, strong CAD/Python skills, and experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems.

Qualifications

• ECSA-accredited engineering qualifications in mechatronics or higher.
• Solid hardware and software skills including PLCs, CAD and Python.
• Experience with instrumentation, data acquisition and lab safety.

Responsibilities

• Manage the mechatronic laboratory operations and safety.
• Set up and run practicals for students with assistants.
• Assist with PLC software, lab projects and tutorials.
• Design and construct new equipment and experiments.
• Maintain lab equipment, computers and software.
• Provide technical support to students and staff.

Skills

PLC programming

Hardware troubleshooting

Mechatronics

Python

CAD

Excel

Outlook

Data acquisition systems

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Mechatronic Engineering (ECSA-accredited)

Advanced diploma in mechatronic engineering (ECSA-accredited)

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering (ECSA-accredited)

Tools

Siemens PLC

Siemens TIA Portal

3D printing

Variable frequency drives

Keysight data acquisition systems

HBM

Job description

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Faculty of Engineering

Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Technical Officer (Post Level 10)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. ING03/374/0926

The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University (SU) is well established in the fields of structural mechanics (design, analysis, testing and optimisation), noise and vibration, mechanical design, mechatronics (including automation, biomedical applications and reverse engineering), energy systems, heat transfer and thermo-fluid dynamics (including renewable energy).

Duties/Pligte

Management Of The Mechatronic Laboratory

• Setting up and running practicals, including training student assistants.
• Assisting with tutorial (PLC) software, practicals, and lab work for mechatronic projects.
• Designing and constructing new equipment and practicals.
• Maintaining laboratory, equipment and computers and software.
• Managing laboratory and workspace to accommodate practicals, projects and Capstone projects.

General Laboratory Areas

• Keeping a safe environment in the laboratories and acting on potential hazards,
• Maintaining the instrumentation store and maintaining the equipment in the store.
• Willingness to be appointed as safety officer 8(2)(i), H&S officer, first aider and firefighter for laboratories.
• Willingness to work with undergraduate students in workshop practicals, if needed.
• Multi-axis robot programming and commissioning.

Administration

• Obtaining quotations and purchasing consumables and equipment from local and international suppliers.
• Managing equipment and consumables booked out from the lab and store.
• Creating guides/notes for the use of specialised equipment.
• Managing laboratory computers, their software and their respective licences.
• Creating engineering drawings of components and equipment for manufacturing.

Assisting Undergraduate Students, Postgraduate Students And Staff

• Setting up experimental facilities, including computers and data acquisition units.
• Checking designs and obtaining quotes from manufactures and suppliers for final-year and postgraduate students.
• Providing technical support and advice to students and staff.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• Qualification: An ECSA-accredited Bachelor of engineering technology in mechatronic engineering or higher, OR an ECSA-accredited advanced diploma in mechatronic engineering or higher, OR an ECSA-accredited bachelor of engineering degree in mechatronic engineering, or equivalent.
• Sound computer hardware skills, including configuring microprocessors and PLCs.
• Computer software skills, including Excel, Outlook, CAD and programming languages like Python and C.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work within a team, but also to work independently.
• A record of being dutiful and reliable, as well as being accurate and neat in completing tasks.
• Willingness to work in a multilingual environment.
• Willingness to work after hours occasionally.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Two to five years' experience within a tertiary mechatronic or mechanical engineering environment or similar.
• Specific knowledge of instrumentation and tools used in the Department, and knowledge of the materials used in the Department's workshop, as well as their costing - these would include (but not be limited to) Siemens PLC, Siemens TIA Portal, 3D printing, configuring and wiring variable frequency drives, and experience with Keysight and HBM/HBK data acquisition systems.
• First aid training.

The University is committed to employment equity (EE), and appointments will be made in line with the institutional EE Plan.

Stellenbosch University reserves the right not to make an appointment.

The University reserves the right to investigate qualifications and conduct background checks on all candidates.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires people in occupations that entail potential exposure to certain hazards (such as noise, hazardous chemical substances and hazardous biological agents) to undergo medical screening to determine whether they be fit to work in those occupations.

If you have received no feedback from the University after four to six weeks of the closing date, kindly accept that your application was unsuccessful.

Enquiries/Navrae

Enquiries about this post: Mr Kevin Neaves on 021 808 4279, or at [e-mail]

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre, on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [e-mail]

CurrencyZAR Commencement Date01-Jan-2027 Closing Date30-Sep-2026 Amount of Travel Work At Home