Principal Mechatronic Engineer

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 Principal Mechatronic 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 organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Principal Mechatronics Engineer

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for Principal Mechatronics Engineer in the Mining Technical Solutions group within the Mining cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to provide senior technical leadership in the design, development, integration, and validation of complex mechatronic and mining systems that support the modernisation of the mining industry. The role translates mining challenges and client needs into fit-for-purpose engineered solutions, with accountability for system performance, safety, manufacturability, lifecycle readiness, and successful deployment across multidisciplinary projects. This position is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the unit, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the definition of user requirements, system requirements, system architecture, subsystem specifications, and technical interfaces for mining systems and related technologies;
• Translate mining process challenges and client needs into clear, traceable engineering requirements and solution concepts;
• Apply systems engineering principles to ensure solutions are safe, integrated, manufacturable, maintainable, and aligned to operational requirements;
• Design, develop, and optimise intelligent sensor networks, actuation systems, data interfaces, and mechatronic subsystems for mining applications;
• Support the development of modern mining solutions across areas such as rock mass monitoring, ventilation, rock handling, safe making, equipment health monitoring, non-blast rock breaking, and related mining systems;
• Enable data extraction, real-time integration, and digital solution development across mining equipment and process systems;
• Identify and assess the technical and operational risks associated with introducing new technologies into mining systems;
• Develop test procedures, verification plans, validation protocols, and operating procedures to confirm solution performance and readiness;
• Evaluate prototypes, experimental test work, factory testing, and pilot studies to support safe implementation and client acceptance;
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams from scoping and planning through to design, testing, implementation, and handover;
• Prepare project estimates, feasibility inputs, resource plans, schedules, progress reports, and budget inputs as required;
• Monitor delivery against agreed scope, milestones, budget, quality requirements, and client expectations;
• Engage with mining clients, technology partners, manufacturers, and internal stakeholders to identify needs, technology gaps, and opportunities for modernisation;
• Contribute to mine modernisation roadmaps, RD&I programmes, proposals, costing inputs, and value propositions aligned to the Mining Cluster strategy;
• Facilitate post-project reviews and stakeholder feedback to support continuous improvement and diffusion of solutions.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in mechanical, mechatronic, electromechanical, electronic or related engineering discipline;
• Experience using engineering software tools and operating environments, including Windows and Linux platforms;
• Experience in model-based engineering, simulation, digital twins, or full lifecycle development of engineered systems will be advantageous;
• Experience with tools or environments such as ROS, Siemens NX, MATLAB, Python, JavaScript, Angular, Node.js, Firebase, HTML, or C# will be advantageous;
• Experience with mining systems such as trackless mobile machinery, locomotives, hoists, winches, monitoring systems, or related mining technologies will be advantageous.
• Evidence of successful project management, multidisciplinary team coordination, and delivery of projects within agreed time, budget, and quality requirements;
• Knowledge of the mining value chain, mining processes, mining equipment, mining management systems, and the operational context for modernisation technologies;
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving capability, supported by sound technical judgement and systems-level thinking;
• Professional registration or eligibility for registration with ECSA will be advantageous;
• Strong understanding of systems engineering, mechatronic design, sensor networks, actuation systems, data interfaces, system integration, and verification practices;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• A minimum of ten years¿ engineering design experience, preferably in mechatronics, electromechanical systems, intelligent sensor systems, IoT, machinery, or mining technology environments;
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering, requirements definition, concept development, subsystem design, interface management, verification, validation, and integration of complex technical systems;

Closing date: 4 November 2026

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

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at ***email_hidden***

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 applicant's 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.