Job Description

SANSA has the mandate to drive the promotion and use of space and cooperation in space-related activities.
To achieve this mandate, the Agency fosters research in space science and technology advances space engineering programmes and supports the creation of an environment conducive to industrial development in space technologies within the framework of national government policy. More information about the organisation can be found at http://www.sansa.org.za.
SANSA thrives on its employees' creativity, competencies, expertise and ingenuity to succeed in a high-performing environment. If you aspire to the SANSA values of care, customer-centricity, trust, collaboration and innovation, then SANSA could be the place for you.
The following opportunity exists in SANSA to be filled by an individual with the relevant skills, drive, competencies and qualifications.
ELECTRONICS ENGINEER AT MARION ISLAND (CONTRACT POSITION)
Programme: Space Science
Contract Type: Contract
Salary: R593 436.00 pa (total cost to company)
The ideal candidate will have:

• At least a B Eng. (Electronics Engineering) or equivalent
• The ability to work and live with small groups of people is essential.
• Competency in electronic maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs with proven fault-finding capabilities;
• Experience working with computers, especially with LINUX operating systems; experience in programming, especially in BASH and Python, would be an advantage

Applicants will be expected to

• Design and build new equipment
• Maintain and upgrade instrumentation.
• Install, commission, maintain, calibrate, and modify electronic instruments and systems for the collection, reduction, and analysis of data.
• Execute experiments related to Space Weather studies
• Give core engineering support.

Candidates must be physically fit, have sober habits, be mentally strong, and be prepared for physically challenging and satisfying work.
Successful applicants will spend three months in Hermanus from 1 February 2026 for training and then depart for Marion Island.
Although the base is well-equipped with e-mail, fax, and satellite telephone facilities, the applicant must be self-sufficient and self-motivated.
Appointment to these positions is subject to a rigorous medical examination, which will be arranged for at no cost to the applicants. No person may be declared fit if they have any history of stable angina, recent myocardial infarcts, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, known psychiatric ailments, or are on tuberculosis treatment.
Successful applicants will spend 14 months on deployment (April 2026 to May 2027) at Marion Island and will not be able to return to South Africa during the deployment period.
More information on the island and human activities there can be found at: http://www.sanap.ac.za
Food, accommodation, and protective clothing are provided by the South African Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries (Southern Oceans and Antarctic Support) while the applicant is at Marion Island.
Should you meet the above requirements, please upload your detailed CV and apply on www.sansa.org.za
Disclaimer
Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should a candidate not hear from us within four (4) weeks following their application, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
Strictly fair and nondiscriminatory selection procedures will be followed. We use Affirmative Action (AA) measures in an endeavour to redress the disadvantages in employment experienced by designated groups. Where possible, preference will be given to candidates from the designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act and in line with SANSA's Employment Equity plans. SANSA reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.
Background verification, including criminal records, credit checks, security clearances, qualifications, and citizenship checks, as well as competency assessment and psychometric testing, shall form part of the selection
process. By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent that SANSA can collect, process, and share their Personal Information (PI) for verification, assessments, and employment purposes only.
Closing date: 07 January 2026

Skills Required