Vacant Position – Security Engineer

SARAO; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

SARAO seeks a detail-oriented Security Engineer in Cape Town to protect telescope hardware, network, and IT systems. You will plan, design, implement, and monitor security controls, ensuring secure configuration and governance across multiple networks.

Responsibilities include managing the Network Security Operations Center, conducting vulnerability assessments, and driving security improvements. Collaboration with IT and facilities teams is essential to maintain cybersecurity resilience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT or Computer Science or equivalent.
• CCNP or CompTIA Security+ or equivalent certification.
• 5 years of IT networking with network security, threat management and incident response.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day operations of Network Security Operations Center.
• Run vulnerability scanning and internal security audits/penetration testing.
• Monitor security incidents and report performance, improvements.
• Analyze incidents and remediation actions from scans and alerts.
• Manage devices, hardware and software assets with security profiles.
• Develop and deploy network security policies and designs.
• Contribute to cybersecurity strategy and governance implementation.
• Integrate IT systems deployment with security policies.

Skills

IT networking

Network security

Incident response

Vulnerability assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or Computer Science

Tools

CCNP

CompTIA Security+

Job description

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Skilled / Middle Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 28 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 Africa’s 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 and KAT-7 telescopes 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.

SARAO requires a detail-oriented Security Engineer who will be responsible to plan, architect & design, implement, optimize, audit, monitor and troubleshoot the IT & network security system to improve the efficiency and cybersecurity resilience of the organization.

Responsible for protecting Telescope Hardware Network Network, Building Management System Network and IT Network. You will ensure security by design in all our network projects, secure configuration & hardening, events monitoring, incident triage and handling. You will also be responsible for conducting security assessments.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-Day running of Network Security Operations Center.
• Execution of vulnerability scanning tools and internal network security audits/penetration testing.
• Monitor and report on the performance of network security, and systems security incidents to highlight areas of improvement
• Execution of vulnerability scanning and internal network security audits/penetration testing
• Analysis of network security incidents, alerts, vulnerability scan reports, triage and recommend remediation.
• Administration of all network devices hardware and network software assets and their security profiles.
• Develop and deploy network policies, architecture and designs as well as continuous improvement
• Key role player in the implementation of cybersecurity strategy & governance.
• Integration of IT systems development and infrastructure deployments with security policies and information protection strategies.

Key Requirements

• Qualification: Bachelors of Information Technology, Computer science
• Network Certification/Network Security Certification/CCNP/CompTIA security+ or equivalent

Experience

• 5 years experience in IT networking with network security, network threat management and incident response.

Knowledge

• Design, implement and maintain network security controls including Firewalls, DMZ, THN (Telescope Hardware Network), DDoS, NAC, ZTNA and VPN
• Develop and maintain network security architecture and design documentation.
• Perform configuration and policy reviews to ensure network security controls are configured according to best practice.
• Analyse and respond to network security incidents and requests raised on the Service Desk and ensure SLA adherence.
• IT Security and best practices.
• Industry regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate complex information correctly.

Information

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

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