Research Group Leader: Aerospace Systems

Job Description

The CSIR is seeking a Research Group Leader in the Aerospace Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security cluster. The role involves providing strategic and technical leadership, managing a team of engineers, developing aerospace solutions, and ensuring financial sustainability and operations management. The position is based in Pretoria and reports to the Impact Area Manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aeronautical, or mechatronics engineering or related fields
• Doctoral degree in mechanical, aeronautical, or mechatronics engineering (advantageous)
• Five years’ experience in a technology, engineering, or RDI environment at a management level
• Understanding of architecture definition and requirements analysis
• Sound experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professionals
• Proven track record in project management and research project leadership
• Working approach that pursues building relations across functions
• Inquisitive mind and interest in systems engineering principles
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high-level conceptualization
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to operate effectively on ambiguous early-stage product development projects
• Ability to persuade and influence across disciplines and functions
• Ability to effectively communicate complex ideas verbally or in writing, tailored to different levels
• Ability to challenge conventions, change direction, and redefine processes
• Business development and financial acumen
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decisiveness and action orientation
• Project management skills
• Appropriate national and international RDI networks
• Understanding of the research-to-market innovation value chain

Responsibilities

• Lead, grow, and supervise a team of engineers in developing systems, products, and processes
• Sustain capabilities in unmanned aerial systems, turbomachinery, weapons integration, aero-elasticity, flight simulation, scenario modelling, computational fluid dynamics, and aerodynamics
• Perform modelling and analysis of concepts of operations, doctrine, tactics, system, and sub-system architecture
• Build world-class capabilities using systems engineering methods, tools, processes, and training
• Conceptualize, package, cost, manage, and deliver a portfolio of technology development projects
• Establish new product development process technology
• Elicit, agree, and communicate requirements at user, product, and sub-system levels
• Lead systems integration activities to ensure subsystems work seamlessly
• Develop and maintain validation and verification strategy
• Ensure system-level risks are understood, managed, and communicated
• Coordinate multi-domain physics simulation to speed development
• Contribute to strategic investment goal setting and RDI strategy development
• Implement the RDI strategy for the impact area
• Promote a culture of science, engineering, and technology excellence
• Ensure industry and service delivery relevance with national and international standing
• Propose and implement Parliamentary Grant, Contract Research and Development, and other grant-funded projects
• Develop and implement a business plan for sustainable growth and impact
• Ensure staff development and strategic Human Capital Development
• Ensure a well-balanced cutting-edge SET capability
• Deliver on all KPIs, including transformation, profit and loss, quality, health, safety, and environment
• Implement and comply with financial and business systems requirements
• Network with peers within and outside the CSIR
• Engage with clients and industry partners to develop long-term relationships
• Provide technical support on business development
• Ensure Intellectual Property (IP) protection and technology transfer
• Drive technology transfer and commercialization in collaboration with Business Development and Commercialization portfolio