Photonics Packaging Process Engineer

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Role highlights

• ​​​​Lead cutting-edge research in photonic packaging with real-world applications
• Join our dynamic team driving innovation at the Queensland Advanced Photonics Packaging Facility
• Contribute to high-impact research in a collaborative environment!

The opportunity

Are you passionate about advanced photonic packaging and its transformative potential in real-world environments? As a key member of CSIRO’s Distributed Mine Sensing Team, you’ll play a critical role in the design, development, and implementation of scalable, high-performance photonic packaging solutions. Working at the forefront of innovation, you’ll help drive the success of the Sustainable Mining Technologies Program and support the operations of the Queensland Advanced Photonics Packaging Facility, located at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies.
 

This is a hands-on, leadership-oriented role where you will guide the optimisation of optical coupling, fibre alignment, and assembly techniques for demanding field applications. You will play a key role in overseeing cleanroom operations, process development, and collaborative research initiatives with industry, academic, and government partners. You will bring your domain expertise to manage everything from material science research and photonic chip packaging to cleanroom operations and equipment upkeep, which would be vital in ensuring reliable, high-performance solutions are ready for real-world deployment.
 

If you're looking to apply your skills in a collaborative, hands-on role that supports advanced sensing technologies and contributes to high-impact research, this would be a great opportunity for you!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Leading the development of low-loss, scalable, and cost-efficient photonic chip packaging solutions.
• Designing and directing implementation of new assembly processes tailored to silicon photonic system requirements.
• Operating electrical wire bonders, two-photon polymerisation tools, die bonders, and optical alignment systems in a cleanroom environment.
• Managing and maintaining cleanroom infrastructure and associated packaging equipment, ensuring high operational standards and procedural compliance.
• Developing SOPs and training material for cleanroom personnel with an emphasis on safety.
• Designing heterogeneous integration (HI) processes for seamless photonic-electronic co-packaging at chip level.
• Performing Multiphysics modelling (thermal, mechanical, optical) using tools such as Ansys Lumerical and ZEMAX.
• Maintaining collaborative partnerships across the Queensland photonics network to drive strategic innovation and technical alignment.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Brisbane (Pullenvale), QLD

Salary: AU$114K – AU$123K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified Term of 30 months; Full-time  (flexible work options may be considered, based on needs of the role and individual circumstances)

Reference: 99963

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Minimum qualification of a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics (ideally majoring in Optics), Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in photonics, photonic integration, device-level modelling (e.g., Lumerical, COMSOL, Tiny3D), and optical system design (ZEMAX).
• Strong background in semiconductor packaging technologies including die attach, wire bonding, flip-chip assembly, and optical micro-assembly.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (MATLAB, LabVIEW, C++, or Python).
• Experience with PCB Design and CAD design tools.
• Demonstrated leadership in solving complex technical challenges and delivering project outcomes.

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

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don’t let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.
 

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 the Talent Acquisition Partner via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be either an Australian Citizen, a New Zealand Citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident. 

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. Given the nature of the role, the successful candidate will also be required to undertake a pre-employment medical examination prior to commencement.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We 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 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.

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, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

We encourage early applications as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date, if we find our desired candidate and/or if required

If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition Partner (see details in Position Description). 

Applications close

15 June 2025, 11:00pm AEST