At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.
More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.
Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.
Construction activities for the SKAO’s telescopes in Australia and South Africa started in 2021, along with a ramping up of SKAO staff in both countries. It is expected that the transition from the Construction Phase to the Operations Phase will happen around 2028.
SKAO Operations in South Africa will be conducted in partnership with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). SKAO Operations in Australia will be conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The Observatory will also partner closely with a global network of SKA Regional Centres through which astronomers will access science data products and a suite of tools and resources to further analyse the SKA telescopes’ data.
For more information on the SKA project visit https://www.skao.int/
The SKA Observatory offers a competitive salary and a generous pension and benefits package. As an employee of an intergovernmental organisation, an appointee who is not a national of the country in which the role is based may be subject to personal Privileges and Immunities.
We are looking for a junior systems engineer to help deliver the Dish system and sub-systems for a next-generation radio telescope currently being built in South Africa.
The Role
The incumbent will support the Dish Design Authority, Telescope Systems Engineer and other specialists in managing the Dish System engineering lifecycle.
The role will report to the Telescope Systems Engineer, and will be work-managed by the Dish Design Authority.
The successful candidate is able to be based either at the SKAO headquarters in the UK or at the Telescope Science Operations Centre in Cape Town, South Africa. The location offered will be decided based on individual circumstances and SKAO policy principles.
The role is a 2-year fixed term contract.
Depending on the programme need, the role will be flexible in also being deployed to support other sub-systems as needed.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
This role requires the postholder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties
Support the Dish Design Authority in managing the SKA Mid Dish system and sub-system lifecycles. This will involve (but will not be limited to):
- Requirements Management
- Interface Management
- Creation of baselines
- Raising and closing Engineering Change Proposals and Concessions
- Supporting the creation and review of test procedures
- Maintaining the Product Breakdown Structure and the configuration of the SKA Mid Dish system
Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Line Manager, the Head of Engineering or the Head of Systems Engineering.
Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Degree in engineering, or equivalent, in one or more of the following fields:
- Electronic, Electrical, Mechanical, Signal Processing, RF (Radio Frequency)
- Experience in systems engineering principles and processes
- Experience with all phases of systems lifecycle, including:
- Managing requirements and interfaces
- Implementing changes
- Managing baselines and product breakdown structure
- Familiarity with complex systems
- Familiarity with measurement systems
- Familiarity with qualification and test procedure development and execution
- Good analytical skills and the ability to consider a wide range of information and procedures when solving problems
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Working knowledge of large dish motion antennas within complex system architectures
- Technical expertise in one or more engineering disciplines:
- Electrical and power
- Signal processing
- Electronics
- Mechanical and mechatronics
- Knowledge of Jama or similar SE software
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement
SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.
Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.
Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.
Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.
SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.
The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.
