Senior Systems Engineer: Planning
Position summary
Introduction
Job description
KEY TECHNICAL AND TACTICAL PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES
Planning, Design, Specification, Performance and Quality Monitoring of CNS Systems and Facilities: Actively participate in CNS life cycle planning, technical research and development with a particular focus on the conceptualisation, planning and design of the ATNS communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems. Develop all mandatory milestone review documents including the technical design document, programme management plan, support and maintenance plan, system acquisition plan, and quality assurance plan. Analyse and interpret ICAO plans, ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARP) and guidance material in the context of ATNS’ strategic objectives and safe air traffic management. Develop and maintain planning and prediction models
Key Engineering design, system integration responsibilities
Prepare functional technical specifications for CNS systems and equipment in the relevant area for procurement and acquisition purposes, in multiple disciplines. Develop, approve and sign-off all mandatory milestone review documents including the technical design document (TDD), programme management plan (PMP), support and maintenance plan (SMP), system acquisition plan (SAP) and quality assurance plan (QAP). Compile tender documents, as well as acquisition and implementation documentation. Participate in site acceptance and commissioning tests of new CNS systems and equipment to ensure specified requirements are met. Evaluate change requests that will have a material impact on the performance or operation of deployed systems as a member of the configuration management team environment. Prepare relevant plans, processes, procedures, business cases and safety cases for introducing new technologies into the operational environment. Make presentations to ATNS and third parties on research and development project outcomes. Undertake research of ATM/CNS technologies globally. Make presentations to management on the recommended research approach to be followed. Identify, participate and present related research at key seminars, conferences, and workshops. Establish benefit levers for projects in alignment with business needs and priorities, and ensure that the prioritisation process is followed in terms of projects. Ensure that project plans are in line with the corporate project management framework. Develop plans, processes, procedures, business cases and safety cases for introducing new technologies safely into the operational environment. Conduct review of all specifications in line with Professional Engineering responsibilities and accountabilities.
Performance and quality assurance
Participate in site acceptance and commissioning tests of new CNS systems and equipment to ensure that specified performance requirements are met. Approval of all deliverables in line with the ECSA code of Conduct and responsibilities of an Professional Engineer.
Governance, Compliance & Risk Management: Develop and implement relevant policies, processes and control measures to enable effective management and execution of required deliverables. Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, policies and processes. Ensure compliance with the ATNS Quality Management System. Ensure compliance with ICAO and SACAA standards and recommended practices. Identify risks associated with technology projects and systems, and develop and implement effective mitigating plans and actions. Prepare and submit reports to inform decision making as required. Make submissions for approval to appropriate authorising authority. Prepare ad hoc reports as required by clients and management. Attend required department and company meetings. Support and ensure compliance with the ATNS Quality Management System. Make submissions for approval to the appropriate authorizing stakeholder/authority. Prepare and submit formal and ad hoc reports required by management and clients. Attend required departmental and company meetings
Stakeholder Relations Management: Develop and maintain sound relationships with key stakeholders to enable collaboration and alignment. Interact with various levels within the organisation on technology and project-related planning activities
Financial Management: Manage expenditure in line with business needs and priorities, and within set financial parameters. Provide monitoring, evaluation and reporting related inputs to the TI budget development process. Report expenditure including any possible deviations to the budget on a monthly basis. Ensure compliance with ATNS Finance policy and Delegation of Authority. Ensure efficient utilisation of the approved budget. Manage costs involved while maintaining quality of service. Compile and provide required reports on utilisation of the budget. Identify and prevent irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Provide the required supporting documents to enable effective auditing processes
People Management: Manage employees in accordance with Human Capital policies and processes. Oversee and facilitate engineer development in line with the stipulations of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Ensure that new employees have been properly on-boarded prior to commencing work. Monitor the time and attendance of subordinates, and report absenteeism issues to management and Human Capital. Set objectives, and coach and monitor the performance of the sales team. Manage performance outputs of the Sales & Delivery team through the performance management system and take corrective action promptly and effectively. Continuously mentor and coach staff to ensure skilled and competent staff
Minimum requirements
Formal Qualifications
· B.Eng. or B.Sc. in Electronic/ Electronic/Computer Engineering
· Professional Engineer registration with ECSA or eligibility to register as a Professional Engineer and Systems Engineer Professional.
· Registered as a Candidate Engineer with ECSA.
Experience
· Minimum six years post-qualification system engineering work experience with advanced knowledge of, and experience in, planning, specifying, acquiring and implementing CNS/ATM systems
· Experience in managing engineering projects
· Sound knowledge of International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards and Recommended Practices as applied to communication, navigation and surveillance systems
· System engineering management experience
· Project and contract management experience
· Experience in procurement processes, contract management, supplier negotiations and financial planning for large-scale infrastructure projects
· Be willing to travel and work on weekends
· Must have a valid South African driver’s licence
DESIRABLE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL QUALITIES
· Post-graduate degree in Engineering or Management/Leadership
· Experience in the CNS technical/operational field within the civil aviation authority and/or air navigation service provider of a country with a well-developed CNS infrastructure
· Client/user focused (service delivery excellence)
Knowledge Required
· In-depth knowledge of systems engineering and project management frameworks and methodologies
· System architecture design and deployment, systems lifecycle management, and infrastructure planning and operations
· Technology infrastructure management
· Knowledge of the aviation regulatory framework and relevant legislation
· In-depth working knowledge of ICAO global and regional plans and SARP’s
· Working knowledge of ITU regulations and ICAO documents
· Knowledge of safety management principles
· ATNS quality management system
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and ProjectsInterested applicants are requested to register their CV’s and apply on https://atns.ci.hr/ by no later than 7 July 2026.
If you have not been contacted within 3 weeks of the closing date of this advert, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.
ATNS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to achieve a diverse workforce broadly representative of our people. This position will be filled in line with the objectives of ATNS’ Employment Equity Plan and therefore candidates from designated groups, as per the Employment Equity Act of 1998, are encouraged to apply.
