SKA-Low Technical Officer

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. View our vision towards reconciliation. 

Role highlights

• Join a team supporting the world's largest low-frequency radio telescope
• Apply your technical expertise across advanced telescope systems
• Help shape the future of telescope operations and scientific discovery

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 CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity 

SKA-Low is a world-leading radio astronomy facility that relies on advanced electronic, RF, optical and signal-processing systems operating across a large-scale remote observatory environment. As the telescope continues to grow and mature, technical teams play a critical role in ensuring these systems are installed, maintained and operated to the highest standards.

As a Technical Officer, you will play a key role in the installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of SKA-Low telescope systems and infrastructure. Working across electronic, RF, optical and signal-processing systems, you will help ensure the telescope operates safely, reliably and at peak performance.

You will apply your technical expertise to diagnose and resolve complex issues, support field-based maintenance and commissioning activities, and contribute to the continuous improvement of systems and processes. Working closely with engineers, technicians, scientists and contractors, you will help support the transition of SKA-Low from construction into long-term operations.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical troubleshooting skills, a practical and hands-on approach, and experience working with complex technical equipment or infrastructure. You will be a collaborative team member who can work independently, communicate effectively, and contribute to a culture of safety, innovation and operational excellence.

If you're passionate about solving technical challenges, working with cutting-edge technology and contributing to a globally significant scientific project, we'd love to hear from you.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Performing complex installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair activities for SKA-Low systems and infrastructure.
• Diagnosing and resolving routine and non-routine technical issues using established engineering and maintenance practices.
• Contributing to technical investigations and root cause analyses for system faults and failures.
• Contributing to the development and improvement of maintenance procedures, work instructions and technical documentation.
• Coordinating and undertaking field activities with technicians, engineers and contractors.
• Providing technical guidance and on-the-job support to less experienced technical staff.
• Maintaining CMMS records, maintenance documentation, configuration data and technical drawings.
• Identifying opportunities for operational improvements, efficiency gains and reduced downtime.
• Collaborating with logistics and maintaining teams to monitor the availability and condition of spare parts, consumables and repairable assets, identifying requirements and supporting inventory activities to minimise system downtime and disruption to operations.

Role particulars

• Location and office arrangements: Geraldton or Perth, Western Australia – Fly-in Fly-out (FIFO) to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, on 4-3 Roster (Monday to Thursday, 4 days on/3 days off)
• Salary: AU$100K – AU$113K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation + applicable allowances
• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite/Specified Term of 3 years (depending on location) – Please note that appointment conditions vary by location: Candidates based in Geraldton may be appointed on an indefinite basis, while candidates based in Perth will be appointed on a 3-year specified term contract.
• Reference: 103851

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• Qualifications or Experience: A trade qualification, diploma, degree in engineering or a related discipline; or equivalent relevant technical experience.
• Technical Knowledge and Application: Demonstrated experience installing, commissioning, maintaining and troubleshooting electronic, RF, optical or signal-processing systems in an operational environment.
• Problem Solving and Technical Judgement: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve routine and non-routine technical issues using established technical principles, procedures and professional judgement.
• Technical Collaboration and Support: Proven ability to work effectively with engineers, technicians, contractors and other stakeholders, providing technical guidance and support where required.
• Communication and Documentation: Demonstrated ability to prepare and maintain technical documentation, procedures and records, and communicate technical information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Safety and Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated commitment to health, safety, environmental sustainability, continuous improvement and the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion.

For full details about this role, 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 

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Due to the specific requirements of this position, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination; and to have a “C” Class drivers’ licence or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of appointment.

CSIRO is an Equal Opportunity employer working hard to recruit world-class talent that represents the diversity across our society. As part of our commitment to equitable employment outcomes for under-represented groups, preference will be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and women who meet the role criteria. CSIRO conscious inclusion practices are intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and section 7D of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).

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 Platinum 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.

Applications close 

27 September 2026, 11:00pm AEST

We strongly encourage early applications as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to close the advertising early if we find our desired candidate.