Technical Lead: Software Engineering at NRF National Research Foundation

About the position

Postion Summary:
The Technical Lead: Software Engineering, leads the systems architecture for software being developed, including strategy, analysis, requirements, and architecture analysis. Follow team standards to prototype, develop and integrate software modules and components for the MeerKAT, MeerKAT Extension, African VLBI Network (AVN) and the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of software within the technical teams
• Lead systems architecture for software writing
• Provide coaching and mentoring to other software engineersFollow team standards in the development and integration of software modules and components
• Research and propose new technologies, systems, methods or approaches, with the purpose of utilizing the suggested invention within the organization
• Work with software engineers, the systems engineer and other stakeholders to update, review and automate, where applicable
• Oversight and account for control and monitoring and Research and Development (R&D) software,Establish and maintain working relationships with members of other SARAO teams
• Participate in project management (SAFe) and systems engineering activities
• Public outreach and education

Minimum Qualification:

• Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7

Minimum Experience:

• 7-15 years

• B
• Tech/B
• Sc (Comp Sci) with 15+ years; ORB
• Eng/B
• Sc Hons (Comp Sci) with 13+ years; ORM
• Eng/M
• Sc (Comp Sci) with 10+ years; ORPhD/D
• Eng with 7+ years; OREngineering (with a software focus) or related field

Experience:

• Experience in software engineering with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in technical leadership of an agile team
• Experienced in guiding the technical design to address requirements, budget and schedule
• Collaborating with system stakeholders to ensure that the architecture will successfully integrate with its environmentUnderstanding and experience in implementation of SAFe and system engineering principles
• Experience with test-driven development and integration testing techniques, methodologies and frameworks; and supporting systems like revision control systems
• Experience with quality assurance processes and software development processes and willingness to participate in improving software development processes and software quality procedures
• Teamwork and collaboration to achieve organisational objectivesReview and evaluate technology/product and make decisions

Knowledge:

• Solid knowledge of relevant programming languages (Python preferably)Software development, including database development, real-time sensor messaging managementAbility to participate and thrive in a collaborative environmentSelf-motivated and an ability and willingness to self-train and up-skill independentlyDesirable to have a background in control and monitoring systems or experience in an engineering or scientific computing development environmentBridging the gap between design and implementation, providing leadership based on a deep technical understanding Providing leadership with respect to architecture definition and evaluation with specific attention to addressing non-functional requirements
• Defining and communicating standards, guidelines and principles to software engineers
• Preparation and execution of technical reviews and design review

Additional Notes:
Modern software collaboration tools such as Github, Containers, Google Drive, JIRA [URL Removed] development and integration testing techniques, methodologies and frameworksTeamwork and collaborationAgile approaches to systems developmentInitiative and continually brings fresh ideas to the tableThe 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) 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 telescope 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.