Industrial Electrician - 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.

 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 and are tired of the challenging hours of mining or shift work, or are simply looking for a tree change, this role has so much to offer.

We’re seeking a highly motivated Industrial Electrician at the Paul Wild Observatory, where you’ll play a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the electrical and control systems that power world-class radio telescopes. Working within a small, multi-disciplinary engineering team, you’ll support observatory operations through hands-on maintenance, system upgrades, and infrastructure projects across the Narrabri and Mopra sites. This role offers a unique opportunity to combine the benefits of rural living with the challenges of supporting cutting-edge science and technology. You’ll contribute to safety inspections, fault diagnosis, and repairs across a range of electromechanical and servo systems, while collaborating with technical and non-technical staff to ensure the observatory runs safely and efficiently.

We have multiple opportunities available across three different locations in Australia (two in WA and one in NSW). We offer generous relocation support for individuals and families, and there are options for part-time too 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: 

• Perform routine maintenance, fault diagnosis, and repairs on electromechanical and servo systems for Narrabri and Mopra Telescopes.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve system reliability and performance.
• Support design, installation, and commissioning of system upgrades.
• Maintain and improve documentation for equipment repair and maintenance processes.
• Respond to afterhours breakdowns and travel occasionally to assist at other sites.
• Conduct safety inspections, ensure compliance with electrical regulations, and assist with broader site operations.

Role particulars

• Location:  Narrabri, New South Wales (Gomeroi Narrabri Country)
• Salary: AU$100k – AU$113k per annum (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 0.6 FTE) | 5-day work week typically between 8am to 4pm (Mon – Fri), onsite
• Reference: 101686

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• An NSW Electrical License (or ability to obtain one if from another state) and relevant post-trade experience and trade qualifications for an Electrician.
• Due to the specific duties and/or conditions associated with this role, it is essential that the preferred applicant can climb steep stairs and ladders and work on structures at a height of up to 30m and, at times, work in confined spaces and,
• Must hold a current Class ‘C’ Australian driver’s licence (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience with the operation and maintenance of a broad range of electromechanical and electronic systems, including precision servo drive systems, hydraulics, power generation and distribution and Uninterruptible Power Supply systems.
• Proven experience with fault finding and repair of complex industrial control systems, including relay control logic and programmable logic controller systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in-person and in writing, with multi-disciplinary teams, management, contractors and external stakeholders;
• Ability to undertake travel and stay at other sites when required.
• 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.

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, 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 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), outlining 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 

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.