SKA Mid - Compute Systems Engineer at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The SKA-Mid Compute Systems Engineer supports the development, integration, and maintenance of computer hardware and related systems that enable the telescope technical and operational goals. This role focuses on implementing and maintaining reliable, secure, and well-performing infrastructure under guidance from senior staff. The SKA-Mid Compute Systems Engineer contributes to the delivery and evolution of systems by deploying, monitoring, upgrading, diagnosing and fault-finding and restoring, applying systems engineering practices, supporting deployments, participating in infrastructure planning, and helping ensure systems remain aligned with SRE requirements. By collaborating across teams, the engineer contributes to building maintainable and scalable systems, supporting both ongoing project development and sustainable steady-state operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Install, implement and maintain computing systems and infrastructure Monitor the infrastructure in placeContribute to infrastructure planning and system integration effortsAssist in performance tuning and reliability improvementsApply basic automation and scripting to improve operationsSupport containerized environments and cloud infrastructureCollaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing

Minimum Qualification:

• Diploma / Advanced Certificate / NQF 6

Minimum Experience:

• 1-7 years

• National Diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualifications coupled with 7 years’ experience, OR BTech/BSc in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualifications coupled with 6 years’ experience , ORBENG/MTech in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualifications coupled with 4 years’ experience, ORMENG in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualifications coupled with 3 years' experience, ORPhD in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Electronic Engineering or equivalent qualifications coupled with 1 years' experience

Experience:

• Experience working in data centres or server rooms/environmentsExperience working with server installations, monitoring and diagnosesExperience with hardware upgrades and repairsExperience working with Operating Systems, IAAS toolsExperience in asset management practices, including maintaining asset registers, system and architectural mapping, warranty and service tracking, and related tools/processes
• Basic experience with computer networksBasic experience withing with SANs and storage systemsExperience working in international teams or initiatives that intersect with data platforms, storage, networking, and systems engineering domains
• Hands-on experience in infrastructure design and automation, distributed systems, observability, CI/CD, container orchestration (e
• g
• Kubernetes), DevOps/SRE practices and cloud-native technologies (advantageous)

Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including performance optimization and fault tolerance
• Hands-on experience monitoring, diagnosing, and repairing (break/fix) various OEM hardware, including HPE, Dell, and Super Micro systems
• Skilled in managing and maintaining component and spare inventories, as well as tools and workspaces for system assembly
• Proven experience working with service levels (SLAs) and an understanding of operational frameworks such as Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), ITIL, and COBIT
• Proficient in remote-first infrastructure management and monitoring
• Working knowledge of networking fundamentals, including cabling and basic diagnostic procedures
• Familiarity with containerized environments (Docker, Podman), orchestration platforms (Kubernetes, Helm), and container runtime architectures (e
• g
• , CRI)
• Knowledge in infrastructure-as-code and CI/CD methodologies, utilizing tools such as GitLab CI, Ansible, and Terraform
• Sound knowledge of IT security principles, especially regarding change management, physical and logical access control
• Awareness and adherence to Health and Safety standards and best practices

Additional Notes:
Competency – Essential: Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to cross-functional engineering projects and follow through on implementation plans under directionHardware maintenance and support: Basic skills such as changing hardware components, e.g. Hard drives, memory modules, CPU, MotherboardFirmware and drivers diagnostics, configuration and updatesHealth and safety, self-care within data centres, assembly workshops and computer labsTools and equipment use and management, e.g. regular cleaning, proper storage, routine maintenance, regular inspection, safe handling and usage, inventory management and asset trackingIT Spares Inventory and Tracking: Inventory categorization, Asset tagging and labelling, maintenance of data within the inventory management system, stock management, access control, lifecycle and warranty tracking, disposal and waste managementComputer Infrastructure Asset Management, including tracking, maintaining, and optimizing relevant hardware and software assets across their lifecycle to ensure availability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.IT Audit and documentation, including rack positions, network and server diagrams, topology maps, as well as service and support logsHands-on experience in Linux systems administration, basic automation, and performance tuning, with a willingness to deepen expertiseProficiency in Linux command-line usage, service configuration, and troubleshooting; learning kernel and system-level tuning practicesAbility to manage assigned tasks within an Agile environment, and collaborate effectively with teammates on sprint goalsEffective troubleshooting skills, with a learning mindset toward root-cause analysis and improving operational resilienceSkills:Problem solving and analysis: Skilled in root cause analysis, systems troubleshooting, and performance bottleneck resolution. Communication and Collaboration: Clear articulation of technical recommendations, cross-functional stakeholder engagement, feedback integration. Planning and delivery: Capable of participate in Agile and Systems Engineering Processes and [URL Removed] learning: Commitment to staying current with evolving technologies in containerisation, cloud-native systems, observability, and systems automation. Commitment to staying current with evolving technologies in computing infrastructure, hardware, components (Storage, memory, Motherboards, Processors, I/O, GPU, HBA, NICs [URL Removed] and knowledge sharing: Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and share knowledge across engineering teams. Teamwork: Collaborate within your team and with cross functional teams with our partners. Additional Notes: Organisational Values:The SKA-Mid Compute Systems Engineer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAO’s values, and to work actively to instil those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South [URL Removed] values are:1. Diversity and Inclusion 2. Excellence3. Collaboration4. Creativity and Innovation5. SustainabilitySARAO’s values are:1. Passion for Excellence2. World-class service3. People-centered4. Respect5. Integrity and Ethics6. AccountabilityBoth SARAO and SKAO value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you, please raise this during your interview, as we are open to discussing flexible working opportunities during the hiring [URL Removed] NRF website provides more details on the initiatives and activities Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by registering and apply online through the NRF Recruitment and Selection Portal. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicant·s suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.

Desired Skills:

• Skilled in applied field of position
• Knowledge to be relevant
• Responsible in performing duties

About The Employer:

The National Research Foundation (NRF) (wwww.nrf.ac.za) 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) (www.sarao.ac.za) 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 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. The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) (www.skao.int) is a next-generation global radio-astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. It is one observatory with two telescopes – SKA-Mid in South Africa and SKA-Low in Western Australia. South Africa is a co-host member of the SKAO, an intergovernmental organisation headquartered at Jodrell Bank (near Manchester in the United Kingdom) responsible for SKAO construction and operations globally.