Security jobs in South Africa

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa.

The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Systems Engineer in the Command, Control and Integrated Systems within the Defence and Security cluster.

The incumbent will be responsible for designing enterprise and technical systems that will secure infrastructure and the enterprise against physical security threats with innovation as the threats evolve.

The position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the Impact Area and Cluster, please visit and respectively.

• Perform risk assessments (threats, hazards and vulnerabilities).
• Facilitate the elicitation of requirements and communication of results.
• Develop operational concepts that address the security risks.
• Provide policy inputs.
• Design system architectures for realising the operational concepts.
• Oversee the implementation of a system.
• Validate the implemented system.
• Mentor internal teams / individuals on security design.

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in industrial, electronics, computer, mechanical engineering with at least fifteen years' engineering experience, of which ten years should be in systems engineering.
• A Master's degree in industrial, electronics, computer, mechanical engineering is advantageous.
• Security qualifications / accreditations is advantageous.
• Experience in Model-based systems engineering, using tools such as CORE or Genesys, and security technologies will be advantageous.
• Risk assessment experience is required.
• Knowledge of systems engineering is fundamental to this position supported by strong systems thinking skills.
• Facilitation and communication, both verbal and written across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage self, others, time and finances.
• Basic research abilities.
• Good MS Office skills.
• South African citizenship and security clearance are required for this position.

• The CSIR Offers Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
• Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
• We openly acknowledge and reward our employees' contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on or email us at

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from designated groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act.

By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from registered credit bureau and / or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires trust and honesty and / or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant's educational qualification and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.