Electronics Technician - Australia Telescope National Facility

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

• Work on cutting-edge electronics and radio frequency systems supporting major national and international astronomy projects, including BIGCAT
• Be part of a multi-disciplinary, collaborative team while enjoying the lifestyle advantages of rural Narrabri in a Mon – Fri role
• Gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation, from low-noise cryogenic receivers to precision timing systems

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.

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.

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. 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 

Looking to apply your electronics technician skills in a unique environment that contributes to world class research and understanding of our universe? This is an opportunity to apply your skills to facilitate scientific impact while enjoying a peaceful regional lifestyle. In a region where shift work and long hours is the norm, this is a refreshing opportunity to work in a more traditional Monday to Friday environment that offers more flexibility than most roles of this nature.

As an Electronics/Radio Frequency Technician you will provide technical support for complex digital, analogue, and radio frequency systems, assisting with both maintenance and deployment of new instrumentation. You will collaborate with colleagues at Narrabri and other ATNF sites to maintain high system availability and support current and future scientific projects.

Why join us?

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.

We have multiple opportunities available across three different locations in Australia (one in WA and two in NSW). 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!

Your duties will include: 

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team to monitor system performance and maintain the Observatory‘s radio frequency and associated electronic systems, to ensure the highest levels of availability required for the National Facility.
• Apply your knowledge and experience, working under limited direction, to undertake fault diagnosis and corrective maintenance on a diverse range of specialised analogue and digital radio frequency electronic equipment, as well as sharing your knowledge and skills with other staff.
• Undertake repairs to electronic equipment and modules down to component level.
• Proactively identify potential spares issues or failure modes and work with external suppliers or staff at other ATNF sites to determine suitable replacement parts or alternative solutions.
• Actively participate in planning and design of new instrumentation projects for the Observatory, working closely with colleagues at other ATNF sites and within CSIRO. 
• Travel occasionally to other ATNF sites, as required, to assist with installation and maintenance of electronics systems and to participate in project planning. 
• Participate in the Observatory on-call roster to attend to after-hours breakdowns, and work flexible hours as required.
• Contribute to written and online documentation associated with equipment repair and maintenance, including management of system drawings and schematics, and configuration management.

Role particulars

• Location:  Narrabri, New South Wales (Gomeroi Narrabri Country)
• Salary: $100k - $113k plus 15.4% super
• Tenure & work schedule: 
• Reference: 101685

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A relevant Electronics Certificate, Associate Diploma or equivalent in Electronics/RF Engineering with relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in diagnosing and maintaining complex electronics systems and aptitude for advancing system knowledge.
• Experience with test equipment such as spectrum and vector network analysers, signal generators and associated test equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with soldering, rework of PCBs and electronic modules.
• Demonstrated experience developing safety documentation, such as activity-based risk assessments, and a commitment to safe work practices, environmental sustainability and the principles of equity and diversity.
• Due to the specific duties and conditions associated with this role, it is essential that the preferred applicant can climb steep stairs and ladders and work on structures at heights of up to 30m, and at times work in confined spaces.
• A valid current Class ‘C’ Australian driver’s licence.

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 careers.online@csiro 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 on-line and provide a cover letter (max 2 pages) and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

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.