Vacant Post – Ska Mid – Signal Processing Engineer Skao/Sarao

Contract type: Permanent
Job Level: Management
Work Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Closing Date: 28 April 2024
The National Research Foundation (NRF) (www.nrf.ac.za) supports and promotes research and human capital development through funding, the provision of National Research Facilities and science outreach platforms and programmes to the broader community in all fields of science and technology, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.
The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) (www.sarao.ac.za) 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 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.
The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) (www.skao.int) is a next-generation global radio-astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. It is one observatory with two telescopes – SKA-Mid in South Africa and SKA-Low in Western Australia. South Africa is a co-host member of the SKAO, an intergovernmental organisation headquartered at Jodrell Bank (near Manchester in the United Kingdom) responsible for SKAO construction and operations globally.
* Purpose:
The Signal Processing Engineer plans, implements, modifies, administers and verifies telescope correlator-beamformers and related signal processing systems for the SKA-Mid telescope. They participate in the engineering processes throughout the engineering lifecycle of the signal processing subsystem, from implementation to operations for the SKA-Mid telescope. They must also possess an understanding or experience in Systems Engineering, Agile methodologies and DevOps processes. They must demonstrate some proficiency in Python, Git, Test-Driven Development, Test Automation & Continuous Integration. They will be part of the SKA-Mid Computing and Software team. They will work with technical experts, senior developers and junior developers as part of their role.
Key Responsibilities:
* Implement and verify SKA-Mid correlator-beamformers and related signal processing systems.
* Assist in systems engineering and Operations documentation refinement
* Support users, operators, as well as the implementation of releases, system changes and fixes.
* Work with the Correlator Beamformer construction teams
* Work with system/array integration team, supporting correlator integration and testing
* Be an integral member of the SKA-Mid Computing and Software team, as a senior technical specialist that supports the establishment of SKA-Mid signal processing and correlator operations
* Establish and maintain a professional relationship with SARAO Digital Signal Processing team.
* Participate in project management and activity management activities
* Attend relevant training/courses to gain experience and improved knowledge.
* Research new technologies, methods or approaches, with the purpose of utilizing them within the organization.
* Participate in innovation and technology development initiatives.
* Acquire further education, mentorship and expertise as necessary
Key Requirements:
Qualification:
* BTech/ BEng/ MTech/Meng/ PHD in electronic engineering, Digital Signal Processing, Control systems, Computer Science, or such relevant qualifications
Experience:
* BTech coupled with 6 years' relevant working experience; or BEng/ MTech coupled with 4 years' relevant working experience; or MEng coupled with 3 years' relevant working experience; or PHD coupled with 1 year relevant working experience in Digital Signal Processing, FPGA design, development and verification, combined with software engineering, preferably in an engineering development project environment.
* Experience with multirate DSP algorithms, including FFTs, FIR and IIR filters, DDS and DDCs and signal processing operational concepts such as data buffering, transposing and reordering
* Experience in parallel, multirate DSP algorithm development and implementation, with experience in accelerating these implementations on FPGAs or general HPC (e.g. CPU/GPU)
* Python, C/C++, MATLAB or Simulink programming and experience in development, testing, deployment, commissioning, release and support of projects
* Specialization or leadership in one or more Required Job Knowledge areas
* Mentoring junior engineers
Knowledge:
* Common radio astronomy instrumentation: spectrometers, correlators, beamformers and pulsar timing machines and transient search machines.
* Multi-rate and parallel implementations of Digital Signal Processing operations such as FFTs, Filters (FIR, IIR), DDS, DDCs.
* Memory devices, such as SRAM/QDR, DDR-DRAM or HMC/HBM
* Ethernet FPGA controller implementations.
* Systems Engineering processes.
* Ethernet network technologies and management of switches and routers.
* Linux operating system and standard tools.
* Practical experience configuring instrumentation, integrating and commissioning Digital Signal Processing systems
* Willingness to transition between system development and system support and operations
Additional Notes:
SKILLS/ COMPETENCIES/ ABILITIES:
Essential:
* Design, implementation and verification of high speed digital computer and electronics hardware and systems.
* System Engineering life cycle processes, including documentation, requirement analysis, architecture design, implementation, integration and acquisition.
* Multi-rate and parallel implementations of Digital Signal Processing operations such as FFTs, Filters (FIR, IIR), DDS, DDCs.
* Memory devices, such as SRAM/QDR, DDR-DRAM or HMC/HBM
* Ethernet FPGA controller implementations.
* Ethernet network technologies and management of switches and routers.
* Linux operating system and standard tools.
Desirable:
* Common radio astronomy instrumentation: spectrometers, correlators, beamformers and pulsar timing machines and transient search machines
* Knowledge of Radio Astronomy techniques, and observatory practices
* Ability to communicate effectively to a wide audience and a wide range of stakeholders, gathering information and distilling information and tailoring it appropriately for the target audience.
* Ability to develop and convey a technical solution as part of a team
* Ability to reliably estimate and plan work as part of a team.
* Agile approaches to systems development
* Engineering systems architecture concepts
* An understanding of DevOps processes
* Services, Operations and Support management
* Risk management
Skills:
* Modern software collaboration tools such as Github, Containers, Google Drive, JIRA etc.
* Understanding and experience in implementation of project management and system engineering principles.
* Experience with test-driven development and integration testing techniques, methodologies and frameworks; and supporting systems like revision control and build systems.
* Experience with quality assurance processes and software development processes and willingness to participate in improving software development processes and software quality procedures.
* Teamwork and Collaboration: Cooperates with others to achieve organisational objectives and may share team resources in order to do this. Collaborates with other teams as well as industry colleagues.
* Judgement and Problem Solving: Anticipates and manages problems in ambiguous situations. Develops and selects an appropriate course of action and provides for contingencies. Evaluates, interprets and integrates complex bodies of information and draws logical conclusions, synthesises proposals and defends options with reasoned arguments.
* Adaptability: Demonstrates flexibility in thinking and adapts to and manages the increasing rate of organisational change by adjusting strategies, goals and priorities.
* Willingness to participate in formal and informal learning and mentorship programs
Organisational Values:
The SKA-Mid Signal Processing Engineer will be expected to demonstrate the SARAO and SKAOs values, and to work actively to instil those behaviours in all SKA-Mid staff in South Africa.
SKAO's values are:
1. Diversity and Inclusion
2. Excellence
3. Collaboration
4. Creativity and Innovation
5. Sustainability
SARAO's values are:
1. Passion for Excellence
2. World-class service
3. People-centred
4. Respect
5. Integrity and Ethics
6. Accountability
Both SARAO and SKAO value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you, please raise this during your interview, as we are open to discussing flexible working opportunities during the hiring process.
Information:
The website www.nrf.ac.za provides more details on the NRF initiatives and activities.
Applications:
Applicants should submit a comprehensive CV by logging to https://ess.nrf.ac.za/Account/Recruitment and apply online. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of motivation indicating the applicants suitability for the position. The names and contact details of at least three referees should be provided.
Closing Date: 28 April 2024 The NRF offers a challenging career and competitive remuneration package which is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The NRF is committed to employment equity and redress and the appointment to the position will be made in line with the NRF Employment Equity Plan.
The NRF reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Correspondence will be sent to short-listed candidates only

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