Instrumentation Technologist

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 Instrumentation Technologist 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.

Instrumentation Technologist

About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for an Instrumentation Technologist in the Coastal Engineering and Port Infrastructure research group within the Smart Mobility cluster.

The Instrumentation Technologist will support the installation, operation and maintenance of environmental and oceanographic monitoring systems, as well as maintain instrumentation and equipment in the CSIR Physical Hydraulic Laboratory.

The Instrumentation Technologist will initially work under the guidance of experienced Senior Technologists and technical personnel, with the expectation that the successful candidate will progressively take responsibility for field operations. The position is based in Stellenbosch.

The position reports to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the cluster, please visit https://www.csir.co.za/smart-mobility

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with and eventually independently conduct field installations, commissioning, inspection, maintenance and recovery of environmental monitoring equipment.
• Maintain MetOcean instrumentation, including automatic weather stations, wave measurement systems, tide gauges, current meters, water-level sensors and associated equipment.
• Prepare instruments, tools, spares and documentation before deployment and verify that equipment is fully operational.
• Configure data loggers, sensors, modems, telemetry equipment and communication systems according to approved procedures.
• Perform routine calibration checks, functional testing, fault-finding and basic repairs on electronic and electromechanical instrumentation.
• Inspect and maintain power systems, including batteries, solar panels, charge controllers, electrical protection and equipment enclosures.
• Assist with the deployment and recovery of wave buoys, ADCPs and other marine instrumentation from vessels or shore-based locations.
• Download, retrieve and verify data from field instruments and remote monitoring systems.
• Conduct basic quality control checks to identify missing, invalid or abnormal measurements and report potential equipment or data problems.
• Maintain accurate calibration records, maintenance logs, equipment registers, configuration records and field-service reports.
• Provide clear feedback on field activities, equipment condition, failures, corrective work and outstanding actions.
• Support the preparation and installation of cables, connectors, mounting brackets, instrument masts, control panels and telemetry systems.
• Assist with the integration of sensors into data loggers, computers, communications networks and operational monitoring platforms.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of serial communications, Ethernet, cellular, radio and satellite telemetry systems.
• Use technical manuals, wiring diagrams, datasheets and standard operating procedures to complete assigned work correctly.
• Assist with basic computer and software tasks, including Windows configuration, file management, data transfer and the use of instrument configuration applications.
• Support simple scripting, data conversion or automated data-processing tasks where required, particularly using Python or similar tools.
• Monitor operational systems and respond to instrument, power, communication and data alarms.
• Liaise professionally with project managers, engineers, technicians, clients, contractors, vessel crews and site representatives.
• Plan field activities in coordination with the project team, including access arrangements, transport, tools, spares and safety requirements.
• Follow all occupational health and safety requirements, risk assessments, permit procedures and client-specific site rules.
• Keep workshops, field equipment, vehicles, tools and spares organised and in serviceable condition.
• Travel to ports and remote monitoring sites throughout South Africa and possibly internationally. Field trips may extend over several days as required by project activities.
• Be available for occasional work outside normal office hours when urgent equipment failures, deployments or weather-dependent operations occur.
• Continuously develop technical competence and progressively assume responsibility for independently managing routine field-maintenance visits.
• Support (repair and maintain) instrumentation in the Physical Hydraulic Laboratory;
• Writing of project/technical reports.
• Negotiate and secure contracts and research and development (R&D) funding
• Conduct applied research and technological innovation.
• Contribute to researched projects and/or publish and present research at peer reviewed conferences and journals.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

• A National Diploma (NQF Level 6) or higher in Electrical Engineering (Light Current) or Mechatronics, with at least three years' experience in instrumentation or light current systems
• Practical, technically curious and comfortable working with instruments, electronics and mechanical equipment.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work with limited supervision once trained.
• Willing to perform hands-on outdoor and marine fieldwork in challenging weather conditions.
• Systematic and careful when working with configurations, measurements and technical records.
• Able to diagnose problems logically rather than only replacing equipment.
• Safety-conscious and willing to stop work when conditions are unsafe.
• Able to communicate clearly and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willing to learn about oceanographic, meteorological and environmental measurement systems.
• Physically capable of performing reasonable field duties, subject to appropriate risk controls and assistance for heavy equipment.
• Must have:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Computer literacy;
• The ability to work at sea on small and large vessels;
• The ability to work at heights
• Valid Code B / EB or C1 driver's licence (unendorsed) with own transport.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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.

Closing date: 3 August 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 Recruitmentinfo@csir.co.za

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.