About the job:
The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Software Engineer in the Mining Technical Solutions group within the Mining cluster. The incumbent will provide technical leadership and hands-on software engineering expertise for the conceptualisation, design, development, integration and optimisation of digital platforms and software tools for mining systems, with a focus on environmental sustainability, health, safety, productivity and operational efficiency. This position is based in Pretoria.
For more information about the unit, please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining
Key responsibilities:
- Provide technical leadership across the software development lifecycle, including user requirements definition, system-level requirements, solution architecture, functional flows and requirements traceability.
- Lead and contribute hands-on to full-stack software development, integration and data engineering across the digital platform portfolio.
- Architect fit-for-purpose solutions across web, mobile, back-end, data and machine-learning components, and identify and optimise the technology stack for current and future projects.
- Define and drive test strategies, QA/QC processes, development specifications, acceptance test plans and reports for digital platforms and tools.
- Develop and implement appropriate project management systems, processes and tools to support software development and delivery.
- Evaluate and conduct experimental test work, pilot studies and post-project reviews to support client decision-making and demonstrate value.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement improvement actions across software delivery and platform performance.
- Manage internal and external client engagements, acting as a primary technical point of contact and translating user requirements into workable solutions.
- Contribute to business development and provide significant input into proposals, including scoping, solution design, costing, external funding submissions and RFQs.
- Coordinate interdisciplinary proposals and support the development of a balanced project pipeline aligned with the Mining cluster strategy roadmap.
- Build, lead and manage the software engineering team, allocating work and overseeing delivery against milestones and deadlines.
- Coach, mentor and upskill junior staff, transferring knowledge and building team capability and capacity.
Qualifications, skills and experience:
- A Bachelor of Engineering degree in computer, electrical, mechanical, mechatronic or electronic engineering with at least ten years’ experience in software development, of which three years must be in a senior, lead or technical leadership capacity;
- Demonstrated experience in software and solution architecture, full-stack development, systems integration, data engineering and software delivery management;
- Experience with modern front-end, back-end and data technologies, including Angular, TypeScript, Node.js, Python, RESTful APIs, SQL/NoSQL databases, Git, CI/CD, testing and software development project-management tools;
- Experience with machine learning and computer vision, including object detection or segmentation models, model training, deployment and human-in-the-loop workflows;
- Knowledge of cloud-based platforms, digital twins, software-as-a-service offerings, data integration, subsystem interfaces and real-time or ad hoc data management;
- Systems engineering experience, including the ability to translate user requirements into system requirements, architecture and functional specifications;
- Strong analytical capability, including mathematical and statistical ability;
- Good communication, interpersonal, report-writing, stakeholder-management and client-liaison skills;
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and contribute effectively in multidisciplinary teams;
- Experience in project management, business development, proposal development and mentoring junior staff will be advantageous;
- Knowledge of mining value chains, mining processes, mining management systems, engineering equipment, SCADA, PLC, CAD/CAM, digital twin modelling, dynamic-system modelling or Hardware-in-the-Loop environment simulator systems will be advantageous;
What’s in it for you?
The CSIR offers:
- Learning and development opportunities.
- Competitive and market-related remuneration packages.
- Total guaranteed salary packages which encompass contributions to the pension fund, risk insurance and medical scheme.
- We openly acknowledge and reward our employees’ contributions and accomplishments through our esteemed CSIR Excellence Awards.