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.