Internship: Mechanical Engineer

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)


Date: 1 day ago
City: Pretoria, Gauteng
Contract type: Intern
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that research, 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 Internship: Mechanical Engineer in the

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 organisations work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Internship: Mechanical Engineer

About The Job

The CSIR has an internship opportunity in the Landward Sciences impact area within the Defence and Security Cluster. The purpose of this internship is to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical work experience through research and development of competitive technologies and innovative products under the guidance of researchers and engineers within cross-functional teams. This opportunity is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the Cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/defence-and-security.

Key Responsibilities

Under supervision, the Intern will be required to:

  • Contribute to computational modelling tasks, including finite element analysis (FEA) and multibody dynamics, to simulate mechanical behaviour under various scenarios.
  • Contribute to literature review for the projects involved. Be able to use research tools available at CSIR and be able to write reports from literature and conduct experiments.
  • Help document technical findings, test results, and contribute to the creation of reports and presentations for stakeholders.
  • Assist in the design, prototyping, and testing of mechanical systems related to blast protection, vehicle mobility, and soldier safety enhancements.
  • Support the development and maintenance of testing setups, including high-speed data acquisition systems and mechanical test rigs for experiments involving explosive loads and impact analysis.
  • Participate in the preparation, execution, and analysis of field tests conducted at the Detonics, Ballistics, and Explosives Laboratory (DBEL), contributing to projects involving the evaluation of blast effects and vehicle survivability.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams on rapid prototyping and development of custom solutions using advanced workshop tools and fabrication methods. Aid in developing and testing electronic control systems for use in prototype equipment and operational technology demonstrations.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

  • A Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering;
  • Knowledge of rapid prototyping techniques and workshop machinery;
  • Be knowledgeable able safety while working in the laboratory;
  • Understanding of data acquisition systems and sensor technology;
  • Understanding of mechanical system design and testing principles;
  • Familiarity with high-speed sensors and data acquisition systems;
  • Exposure to project work involving structural analysis, material behaviour, or dynamic system testing;
  • Background in vehicle dynamics or blast response modelling.

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

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012841 4774 or email us at [email protected]

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 applicants 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.
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