Senior Electonics/Electrical Engineering Lead

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Role highlights

• Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team at a world-class observatory
• Apply your hands-on technical expertise to maintain cutting-edge radio astronomy systems
• Enjoy a unique career opportunity combining advanced science, a rural lifestyle and Mon – Fri work week

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit for more information.

About the Australia Telescope National Facility

With over 200 staff, we operate several radio astronomy observatories and data archives collectively known as the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF), the only facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Our technology development program is the cornerstone of the ATNF and is an internationally recognised source of innovative radio astronomy instrumentation. The ATNF has been involved with the international SKA project from its inception, and our ATNF locations, telescopes and engineering expertise are in an excellent position to support and extend the science goals of the SKA telescopes over the next decade.

The ATNF is part of CSIRO's Space & Astronomy research unit, and together we aim to enable humanity to understand our Earth and Universe. Visit Australia Telescope National Facility - CSIRO for more information.

About Paul Wild Observatory

Located on Gomeroi Country, just outside Narrabri in north-west New South Wales, is our Paul Wild Observatory, the site of our Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), an array of 22-metre dish antennas. Five of ATCA's six dishes sit on a three-kilometre railway track, right in front of the visitors' centre. ATCA is the world's fastest gigahertz-band telescope for responding to transient events, which has led it to be instrumental in research on gamma ray bursts and neutron star mergers – shown to generate detectable gravitational waves. ATCA consistently ranks among the top three radio telescopes worldwide for both scientific output and impact.Visit Australia Telescope Compact Array – CSIRO for more information.

The opportunity

If you're looking for a role that combines scientific impact with a peaceful regional lifestyle, tired of the challenging hours of mining or shift work, or are simply passionate about astronomy, this role has so much to offer.

We're seeking a highly motivated and experienced electronics, electrical, or radio frequency engineer to join our ATNF Operations team. In this role, you will lead a small multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for maintaining complex observatory systems, including cryogenically cooled low-noise receivers, digital signal processing, control and monitoring systems, and timing infrastructure. You will ensure the reliability, performance, and safety of the facility's technical operations while collaborating with colleagues at other CSIRO sites, including Marsfield, on the design, maintenance, and commissioning of major new instrumentation projects such as BIGCAT. The position combines hands-on technical work with team leadership, planning, and cross-site coordination within a supportive, world-class research environment.

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring your engineering expertise to a unique national facility, supporting ground-breaking science in a rural setting with a strong sense of community.

We have multiple opportunities available across three different locations in Australia. We offer generous relocation support for individuals and families, and there are options for part-time which can be discussed based on the needs of role and individual circumstances. So, if you or someone in your professional network is looking for a tree change, or keen to venture into the space industry, submit your application and talk to us

Why join us? Our benefits

We offer a unique blend of scientific prestige, regional lifestyle and a supportive workplace within a tight-knit community with access to local amenities and all the offerings of the best of country living: minimal traffic, fresh air, and affordable real estate. Enjoy flexible hours on a Mon – Fri schedule, generous leave entitlements including four weeks' annual leave and up to 15 days for personal or family needs, plus short-term accommodation or rental assistance. Benefit from salary packaging options and health and well-being initiatives, and remote location allowance.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Lead a technically diverse engineering team to maintain the highest levels of reliability of the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), including electronic, electrical, mechanical, cryogenic and radio frequency systems.
• Use your specialised engineering skills to actively contribute to the maintenance and operations of systems and equipment, sharing your knowledge and skills with other staff.
• Ensure efficient planning and implementation of routine maintenance, operational activities an upgrade of Observatory systems.
• Work closely with ATNF staff at other sites, including at Marsfield, in the design, construction and deployment of new instrumentation and upgrades.
• Participate in the Observatory on-call roster to attend to after-hours breakdowns, working flexible hours if required, and travel to other sites to assist with installation and maintenance activities.
• Maintain a safe, effective and efficient work team, allocate and manage resources and undertake effective and proactive staff performance management.

Role particulars

• Location:Narrabri, New South Wales (Gomeroi Narrabri Country)
• Salary: $135k - $158k (pro-rata for part time) plus 15.4% super and $1868 annual site allowance
• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, full time or part-time (minimum of 0.8 FTE).
• 5-day work week typically between 8am to 4pm (Mon – Fri), onsite
• Reference: 101684

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Degree in electronic or electrical engineering (or similar), with eligibility for Graduate Membership of Engineers Australia or equivalent.
• Current Class 'C' Australian driver's licence.
• Ability to perform work at heights.
• Significant experience in the operation, maintenance, and modification of complex electronic, electrical, and automated systems.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, which can include one or more of the following: digital and analogue electronics, RF systems, servo systems, and/or electrical/mechanical interfaces.
• Excellent hands-on technical and problem-solving skills in complex environments.
• Proven ability to apply independent professional judgement in operational settings.
• Demonstrated leadership of diverse technical teams and willingness to share knowledge openly.
• Experience developing safety documentation and a strong commitment to safe work, environmental sustainability, and equity and diversity.

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

We recognise there are many pathways to developing skills and experience, and we can consider appointing at different levels depending on what you bring. If you have more experience and capability than outlined, the role may be upgraded to a higher level; likewise, if you are still developing in some areas, we may be able to offer the role at a lower level. If you'd like to discuss whether this opportunity could be the right fit, please contact us.

Setting You Up for Success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, and can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise that true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

The CSIRO Space & Astronomy Research unit was also awarded the Gold Pleiades Award, demonstrating the highest level of recognition from the Astronomical Society of Australia's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Astronomy chapter: Gold Pleaides awarded to CSIRO Space and Astronomy - Australia Telescope National Facility

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents only. Appointment to this role is subject to the provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter (maximum 2 pages), responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, demonstrating your ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

30 November 2025, 11:00 pm AEDT

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as the selection panel will be reviewing applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date, if required.