Senior Mining Engineer

Department: Mining Technical Solutions

Cluster/Portfolio: Mining

Overview: The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Mining Engineer in the Mining Cluster . The incumbent will be responsible to contribute to the development and support the implementation of the CSIR's mining strategy with a specific focus on occupational health and safety aspects. Drive, derive, plan and execute innovation and technology projects and relevant research with the aim of improving the competitiveness of the mining industry. The position reports to the Chief Mining Engineer and is based in Pretoria. For more information about the cluster please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining .

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is a leading scientific and technology research organisation that researches, develops, localises and diffuses technologies to accelerate socio-economic prosperity in South Africa. The organisation's work contributes to industrial development and supports a capable state.

Senior Mining Engineer

About the job: 

The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Mining Engineer in the Mining Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to contribute to the development and support the implementation of the CSIR's mining strategy with a specific focus on occupational health and safety aspects. Drive, derive, plan and execute innovation and technology projects and relevant research with the aim of improving the competitiveness of the mining industry. 

The position reports to the Chief Mining Engineer and is based in Pretoria.

For more information about the cluster please visit: https://www.csir.co.za/future-production-mining.

Key responsibilities:

• Operationalise the Mining strategy, in particular the mining engineering focus area;
• Re-imagine mining productivity and safety solutions to support the underground and surface mining industry using the technology, primarily to solve mining problems;
• Drive multidisciplinary teams to build and implement solutions across various technology readiness scales proof of concept through to commercial product or service offering;
• Translate mining business challenges into technical solutions;
• Lead program, scope and objectives, deliverables, schedule, financial risk, resource, interdependency and integration management;
• Ensure projects are managed in an integrated way;
• Implement governance systems to manage and deliver on the sustainability and mining portfolio of projects
• Lead and disseminate technical knowledge and expertise related to the mining value chain, including mentorship of CSIR staff;
• Grow mining engineering capacity within the cluster;
• Contribute to the development of mining technical discipline;
• Contribute to the development of an HR and succession plan that will ensure the relevant mining engineering skills are developed;
• Develop and manage a balanced Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) projects pipeline/ programme to deliver impact to the industry;
• Maintain awareness of business development opportunities for CSIR wide customer base;
• Develop and facilitate national stakeholder network to broaden and deepen the understanding of mining engineering opportunities;
• Drive partnerships with key stakeholders to promote RDI programmes;
• Write and submit proposals for grant and private sector funding;
• Manage a project pipeline to deliver contract RDI income from external clients as per the financial KPI¿s and to cover own and team costs.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelor's degree in Mining engineering with at least eight years' experience or A Master's degree in Mining Engineering with four years' experience in: 
  • Underground and surface mining with one or more commodities;
  • Mining operational and technical/ mine planning;
  • Establishing and maintaining links with internal and external stakeholders and clients, as well as the research community;
  • Mining extraction processes (drill, blast & hauling) for underground and surface mines;
  • Mining problem solving;
  • Conducting of improvement projects in the mining industry;
• During the above years' of experience there should be evidence of at least five years' experience in: 
  • Leadership solving mining and other related challenges with a focus on the application of mining engineering;
  • Project management;
  • Applied research;
• Must be registered with ECSA or qualified to register with ECSA;
• Knowledge of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA);
• Mine Planning skills;
• Mining engineering problem solving and solution-seeking orientation;
• Financial & business management skills;
• Competent applied research skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• Ability to lead innovation and technology adaptation in the mining industry;
• Ability to generate new knowledge and innovate;
• Ability to lead a team and be a team contributor;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

What¿s in it for you? 

The CSIR offers:

• Flexible hybrid work arrangement.
• 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: 3 August 2026

PLEASE NOTE THAT FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES ONLY.

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

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 registered credit bureau and/or South African Police Services (in relation to positions that requires 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 it further reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.