Jobs in South Africa

Position Summary:
The purpose of this role is to safely and cost-effectively maintain the availability and utilization of antenna structures by planning, overseeing, and reviewing the work of the maintenance team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install and assemble telescope components through hands-on execution, utilizing technical knowledge and skills, and supervising direct reports.
• Review task procedures, identify new tasks, and formulate safe operating manuals.
• Review OEM manuals to ensure practicality and utility in the field, drawing on technical knowledge and experience.
• Review acceptance testing to ensure performance meets requirements, identify problems through observation and diagnostic skills, and recommend or take corrective actions.
• Evaluate telescope mechanical performance, flag issues, and suggest improvements.
• Manage handover processes from contractors to users, applying technical and supervisory skills.
• Schedule weekly preventative and corrective maintenance, prioritizing tasks accordingly.
• Implement engineering changes considering design modifications, drawing on technical expertise.
• Incorporate maintenance management systems into daily team tasks.
• Attend to guest instrument requests and respond to operational faults reported by telescope operators.
• Liaise with the engineering department regarding upgrades and new component implementations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Diploma / Advanced Certificate / NQF 6

Minimum Experience:

• 5 years in mechanical maintenance on large structures, with supervisory experience.
• Diploma or trade test in Mechanical Engineering is advantageous.
• Valid driver's license.

Additional Experience:

• Experience in preventative and corrective maintenance, planning, and data logging.
• Proven staff management and supervisory skills.
• CAD modeling, troubleshooting large mechanical equipment, laser alignment, photogrammetry, and servo equipment experience are advantageous.

Knowledge:

• Design techniques, health and safety regulations, budget management.
• Knowledge of crane operations, rigging, and working at heights.

The NRF website provides more details. Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV, a motivation letter, and at least three referees through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal.