Website SARAO – South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, is responsible for managing all radio astronomy initiatives and facilities in South Africa, including the MeerKAT Radio Telescope in the Karoo, and the Geodesy and VLBI activities at the HartRAO fa… read morecility. SARAO also coordinates the African Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (AVN) for the eight SKA partner countries in Africa, as well as South Africa’s contribution to the infrastructure and engineering planning for the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope. To maximise the return on South Africa’s investment in radio astronomy, SARAO is managing programmes to create capacity in radio astronomy science and engineering research, and the technical capacity required to support site operations.
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) seeks to make an appointment for the position of RFElectronics Technician. The main purpose of the job is to focus on the electronics and embedded software systems of the radio telescopes. Working on the antennas and in the lab to troubleshoot, repair and upgrade electronic systems used for monitoring and control by utilising typical lab equipment such as multimeters, soldering stations, oscilloscopes and power supplies.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical work and housekeeping
Antenna maintenance, predominantly focusing on electronic components and microelectronics but also hands on work.
Training and mentoring of students and other inexperienced members of staff
Procurement, documentation, and record-keeping
Key Requirements:
Qualification:
National Diploma (Electrical-light current or Electronics) NQF Level 6
2 years·minimum experience
Experience:
Government procurement processes
Good knowledge of antennas and related infrastructure (vacuum, helium, cryogenic systems)
Technical knowledge and experience in a research and development environment
Knowledge:
Electronic components
PCB Design
Knowledge of a wide range of electronics (analogue and digital) and radio frequency principles.
Fiber optic termination and splicing
Programming experience (including microcontrollers)
Microprocessor hardware and software
Electronic fault finding
Mechanical systems basics
Additional Notes:
Must be physically fit and able to work at heights and in small confined spaces
Able to operate a mobile truck mounted crane
Programming languages (e.g. Python, C)
PCB software (e.g. Altium, Design spark)
Soldering and desoldering of through hole and surface mount components
Testing of components
Use of standard electronic lab equipment (oscilloscope, multimeter)
Experience in building ´one off typeμprojects (good wiring skills and PCB layout design).
Health and safety basics.
Procurement of spares, equipment and components by following company SCM practices.
Electronic repairs down to component level including surface mount components.
Able to maintain and repair complex electronic systems used in radio astronomy and geodesy research
Build new electronic and radio frequency subsystems
Deadline:3rd September,2025
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