Senior Software Engineer, Pretoria

Senior Software Engineer About The Job

The CSIR has a vacancy for a senior software engineer in the Command, Control and Integrated Systems Impact Area within the Defence and Security Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for designing and developing software solutions, including middleware and software architectures for command and control, situation awareness, integration, interoperability in military, non‑military and safety and security domains. This position is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

For more information about the impact area and cluster, please visit and Responsibilities

Lead the design and development of complex software systems and architectures.

Design, implement, and optimise Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) driven solutions and pipelines.

Drive technical decision‑making for research and development platforms.

Collaborate with researchers to translate research concepts into software.

Oversee code quality, testing practices, and system performance.

Integrate software with sensors, data sources, and external systems.

Contribute to technical reporting and research outputs.

Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption where appropriate.

Proactively research technologies, developments, tool improvements and their processes as well as deployments to ensure increased productivity.

Contribute to proposal development to secure funding for the research group.

Lead the development of research publications.

Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and students.

Qualifications, Skills And Experience

An Honours degree in computer science/engineering, software engineering or related fields with at least five years’ experience in software development focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning.

A Master's degree will be advantageous.

Solid understanding and practical experience in AI and/or machine learning.

Significant professional experience in software engineering.

Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, C++, Java).

Proven experience designing and maintaining large or complex software systems.

Experience with data processing, algorithm development, and model evaluation.

Strong systems thinking and problem‑solving ability. Experience working in research, experimental, or innovation‑driven environments.

Ability to lead technical workstreams and mentor less experienced staff.

Excellent written and verbal communication 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.

For more info, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre on 012 841 4774 or email us at

The CSIR is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is committed to the Employment Equity Act and will through the filling of this vacancy, give preference to candidates from Designated Groups in terms of the Employment Equity Act. By applying for this position at the CSIR, the applicant understands, and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances), and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualification and employment history.

The CSIR reserves the right to remove the advertisement at any time before the stated closing date and further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

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