Principal Engineer: Localised Cloud Platform

About the job

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Principal Engineer: Localised Cloud Platform in the Centre for High-Performance Computing CHPC area, within the National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System NICIS, hosted by the Next Generation Enterprises and Institutions Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to provide technical and strategic leadership for the design, development, operation, and evolution of the Localised Cloud Platform LCP and associated cloud services. This position is based in Rosebank, Cape Town and will report to the Research Centre Manager.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic, technical and operational leadership for the CSIR's Localised Cloud Platform and associated cloud services;
• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team of cloud engineers, technologists, researchers and technical specialists;
• Define and maintain the technology strategy, architecture, roadmap and operating model for the Localised Cloud Platform;
• Guide the design, development, deployment and operation of cloud platforms based on open-source technologies including OpenStack, CEPH and related cloud-native technologies;
• Lead the evolution, growth and sustainability of the Sebowa cloud platform and the broader NICIS cloud ecosystem;
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design and deploy sovereign, hybrid and on-premises cloud solutions that meet organisational and national requirements;
• Contribute technical leadership and expertise to national cloud, cyberinfrastructure and Digital Public Infrastructure DPI initiatives;
• Evaluate emerging cloud, storage, security, orchestration, automation and platform technologies and guide their adoption where appropriate;
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with government departments, research institutions, universities, industry partners and open-source communities;
• Support the development of sovereign cloud capabilities and local cloud expertise within South Africa;
• Lead the development of technical proposals, business cases, project plans, reports, architectures and strategic recommendations;
• Contribute to business development, partnership development and funding initiatives that support the growth and sustainability of the Localised Cloud Platform;
• Ensure the reliability, security, resilience, scalability and operational maturity of cloud services delivered by the team;
• Contribute to research, innovation and technology development programmes related to cloud computing, digital infrastructure and sovereign cloud technologies;
• Participate in human capital development initiatives, including mentoring staff, supervising students, supporting training programmes and developing cloud skills within the broader scientific and public-sector communities.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A Master's degree in computer science, computer/electronic engineering, information technology or a related fields with at least ten years' experience in cloud computing, distributed systems, cyberinfrastructure or related technology domains;
• A Doctoral degree will be advantageous;

Experience in the following is required

• Leading complex technical teams, programmes, platforms or large-scale technology initiatives;
• Cloud infrastructure technologies and platforms;
• Designing, deploying and operating production-scale cloud services;
• Developing technology strategies, architectures and roadmaps;
• Engaging with senior stakeholders across government, academia and industry;
• Experience with research, innovation and technology development programmes will be advantageous;

Strong experience in the following will be advantageous

• OpenStack;
• CEPH;
• Linux systems administration;
• Infrastructure as Code;
• Ansible;
• Terraform;
• GitOps practices;
• Kubernetes and container platforms;
• Cloud networking and software-defined infrastructure;
• High-availability and disaster recovery architectures;
• Cloud security and identity management;
• Strong understanding of public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud and sovereign cloud architectures;
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and develop technical capability;
• Good reporting, presentation and technical writing skills;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.

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: 21 September 2026