Vacant Position – Production Team Lead (Internal Position)

SKA South Africa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Foundation (NRF) / South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) in Cape Town is seeking a Production Team Lead to plan, schedule and monitor production processes for specialist radio astronomy equipment. You will coordinate with vendors, staff and management to meet manufacturing requirements and establish production and quality processes.

Responsibilities include managing a production team, contractor and supplier oversight, production planning and maintaining facilities

Qualifications

• ND Engineering with 9 years of experience.
• B.Tech Engineering with 5 years of experience.
• Valid driver licence.

Responsibilities

• Manage a production team producing specialist equipment for radio astronomy applications.
• Establish and maintain production and quality processes.
• Contractor and supplier management.
• Production planning, scheduling and monitoring production processes.
• Maintain production facilities and equipment.

Skills

Leadership & supervision

Vendor coordination

Production planning

Data analytics

RF testing knowledge

Python scripting

Quality systems

Education

ND Engineering

B.Tech Engineering

Tools

Linux

Python scripting

IPC standards

Job description

Contract type: Permanent

Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management

Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape

Closing Date: 03 September 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) implements South Africa's strategic investments in radio astronomy, including the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, which covers a broad range of engineering and scientific activities. SARAO is a National Facility of the National Research Foundation, and incorporates radio astronomy and space geodesy instruments and programmes such as the MeerKAT telescope in the Karoo, the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) in Gauteng, the Africa Radio Astronomy Programme across nine African countries, as well as associated human capital development and commercialisation endeavours.

The Production Team Lead is required to plan, schedule and monitor production processes and coordinate with vendors, staff and management to meet the manufacturing requirements. Establish and maintain production and quality processes.

Purpose

The Production Team Lead is required to plan, schedule and monitor production processes and coordinate with vendors, staff and management to meet the manufacturing requirements. Establish and maintain production and quality processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a production team producing specialist equipment for radio astronomy applications.
• Establish and maintain production and quality processes
• Contractor and supplier management
• Production planning, scheduling and monitoring production processes
• Maintain production facilities and equipment

Key Requirements

Qualification:

• ND. Engineering with 9 years·experience
• B.Tech engineering with 5 years·experience
• Valid driver licence

Experience:

• Supervision and management of production activities, staff, and facilities
• Leadership and team management for guiding and motivating a diverse team
• Sufficient technical and organisational skills to respond to specialist small scale electronics production issues with particular focus on:
• Understanding of test equipment and procedures for testing RF systems
• RF module testing and fault finding
• Digital module testing and fault finding
• Electronic systems testing and fault finding
• Hands-on experience in PCB manufacturing, assembly, repair and testing
• Project management experience
• Operational efficiency and process optimization.
• Manage and liaise with subcontractors
• Technical report writing

Knowledge

• ISO Quality Management system
• Production methodologies
• Logistics support of systems
• Quality standards for electronic production (ISO 9001)
• Training and/or knowledge of IPC standards
• Material management systems
• Proficient in using data analytics tools to track production metrics and logistic trends
• Good understanding of circuit testing methods and techniques
• Good understanding of RF modules and components
• Understanding of electronic design
• Understanding and interpretation of component datasheets
• Understanding of circuit diagrams and PCB layout designs
• Experience with Linux operating systems and python scripting is advantageous.
• Experience with fibre optic applications is advantageous

Additional Notes

• Experience in formal ordering and purchasing of goods.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks
• Problem solving and troubleshooting
• Good safety and housekeeping standards
• Work within multi-disciplined and multi-cultured teams and stakeholders.
• Good verbal and via written (reports/documents) communication skills.
• Act with integrity at all times.

Information

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

Closing Date

03 September 2026

The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.

The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only