Senior Logistics Engineer
National Research Foundation
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 and KAT-7 telescopes 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.
Position: Senior Logistics Engineer
Business Unit: South Africa Radio Astronomy Observatory
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Position Summary
To execute and lead elements of the logistic engineering on the SKA-Mid and MeerKAT radio telescopes and supporting infrastructure in order to influence design for supportability and deliver their operating support baselines to the SARAO/SKA Operations. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LOGISTICS ENGINEERING POSITION, NOT A BUSINESS/OPERATIONS LOGISTICS POSITION.
Key Responsibilities
To ensure the integrity of product data packs through defining and implementing Physical Breakdown
Structures (PBSs) on multiple products, leading and executing Physical Configuration Audits (PCAs) and initiating corrective actions and change management on deficient/as-built data packs while managing and structuring the data packs in the Configuration Management System (CMS) (e.g. ALIM).
To execute Logistics Support Analysis (LSA) and deliver the Operational Support Baseline (OsBL) to ensure that the prime equipment is supportable, using and guiding others in the use of the SARAO LSA Data Base (e.g. Ramlog IME), to:
* Develop Reliability Estimations
* Lead and execute Failure Modes, Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECA)
* Identify and document Preventive & Corrective Maintenance Tasks
* Analyse Maintenance Procedures and Resources
* Draw conclusions from LSA data and provide LSA Information Reports
* Propose Design/Operation/Support amendments
* Lead reviews of LSA data and OsBL
To provide operational support in maintaining operational availability targets by leading investigations into failures, conducting root cause analysis, initiating and collaborating on engineering changes to resolve deficiencies and leading the development of work instructions / amended task descriptions.
To ensure products are designed for supportability by leading the definition of the logistic components while influencing the system architectures, functional/performance specifications, Interfaces, system designs, analysis & trade study reportsTo lead the verification and validation of the system supportability and logistic elements
Execute support planning to ensure the logistic work is correctly tailored to the intended operational context through developing system level support concepts, Logistic Engineering Plans e.g. (LEMP) and preparing the ILS statement of compliance
To increase the overall ILS competence of the SARAO engineering team and ensure continuation through knowledge transfer and mentorship
Additional Notes
Extreme Importance (Essential)
Logistic Support Analysis, inclusive of PBS, RAM, FMECA and Task and Resource Analysis
Lead the development and implementation of logistic engineering processes
Interpreting and updating engineering drawings for civil, mechanical and electrical designs
Operate independently or lead teams to deliver logistic engineering, typically at all levels of the systems hierarchy, including the enterprise or organisational aspects, including systems of systems aspects
Undertake logistic engineering activities throughout all lifecycle phases of the system under development, with particular focus on the concurrent engineering aspects and the design for supportability aspects
High Importance (Desirable):
Communicating effectively in English (both written and verbally)
Function simultaneously across multiple domains, teams and on multiple systems
Procurement processes for the realisation of Support Resources
Coaching and mentoring of engineers in the field of logistic engineering
Minimum Qualification
Bachelors Degree / Advanced Diploma / NQF 7
Minimum Experience
5-5 years
B.Tech (Eng) with 13+ years RELEVANT experience in a product development environment; OR
B.Eng / M.Tech(Eng) with 9+ years RELEVANT experience in a product development environment; OR
M.Eng with 7+ years RELEVANT experience in a product development environment; OR
PhD / D.Eng with 5+ years RELEVANT experience in a product development environment.
Experience
Advanced Applied Logistic & Systems Engineering across the complete lifecycle of a system or product and at all levels of the systems hierarchy
Use of Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CCMS e.g. RamLog) in managing operational support and performing Logistic Support Analysis (LSA)
Using Configuration Management Systems (CMS) and preparing Product Breakdown Structures and data packs
Conducting RAM Analysis
Executing Failure Modes, Effects & Criticality Analysis (FMECAs)
Preparing Preventive and Corrective Maintenance Procedures, Schedules and Resources
Compiling Logistic Support Analysis Reports (LSARs)
Hi-tech product support development and production
Operating support baseline establishment and management
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Acknowledged in-depth knowledge of logistic engineering, technology and/or software, based on theoretical aspects and experience in logistic & systems engineering methods, procedures, tools and techniques
Configuration management and configuration management systems
Systems & Logistic Engineering Standards, e.g. ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, MIL-STD 1388-1A & 2B, DEFSTAN 00-60(0), MIL-STD 1629A andS1000D / S3000D
Quality assurance systems (ISO 9001)
The PFMA and related procurement regulations
Product/System Development and Production processes for complex systems
Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026
The 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.
