Vacant Position – Junior Electrician

SARAO; Carnarvon; On-site; ZAR 240,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

SARAO, based in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, is looking for a skilled trades assistant to assist with electrical inspection, installation, maintenance, alteration and repair work on electrical systems and components. The role involves following instructions, performing physical labour and supporting engineers in daily tasks.

The ideal candidate has Grade 12 and an Electrical Trade Test Certificate, with 0–1 year’s relevant experience, and a safety-focused mindset.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 is required.
• Electrical Trade Test Certificate is required.
• 0–1 year of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out daily corrective and preventative maintenance activities as per electricians instructions by applying technical knowledge, skills and experience
• Assist in fault finding all servo related issues on the telescope
• Assist and learn fault find problems using a range of testing devices and electrical drawings and provide corrective action
• Escalate problems falling beyond levels of expertise to line manager
• Assist in writing concise and meaningful report on findings for management information or decision support
• Assist in installing cables as per written job instruction and make practical adjustments
• Assist in testing optimal functionality using electrical test equipment, and relevant computer-based software
• Assist and learn the method in recording actions on RAMLOG
• Identify and list material requirements for procurement/sourcing by manager

Skills

Safety compliance

Manual labor

Reading electrical drawings

Teamwork

Education

Grade 12

Electrical Trade Test Certificate

Job description

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Closing Date: 07 October 2026

The National Research Foundation (NRF) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) spearheads South Africas activities in the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope, commonly known as the SKA, in engineering, science and construction. SARAO is a National Facility managed by the National Research Foundation and incorporates radio astronomy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry (AVN) programme in nine African countries as well as the associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

To safely assist in inspection, installation, maintenance, alteration and repair work on electrical systems and components; performs related work as required following instructions and/or under supervision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Carrying out daily corrective and preventative maintenance activities as per electricians instructions by applying technical knowledge, skills and experience
• Assist in fault finding all servo related issues on the telescope
• Assist and learn fault find problems using a range of testing devices and electrical drawings and provide corrective action
• Escalate problems falling beyond levels of expertise to line manager
• Assist in writing concise and meaningful report on findings for management information or decision support
• Assist in installing cables as per written job instruction and make practical adjustments
• Assist in testing optimal functionality using electrical test equipment, and relevant computer-based software
• Assist and learn the method in recording actions on RAMLOG
• Identify and list material requirements for procurement/sourcing by manager

Key Requirements:

Qualification:

• Grade 12
• Electrical Trade Test Certificate

Experience:

0-1 years’ relevant work experience

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of and ability to apply stringent safety rules for electrical system construction, maintenance, and operation
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to perform physical labour
• Medically fit experiencing no difficulty with walking, hearing, eyesight, climbing steps or entering confined spaces with no fear of heights

Information:

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