Mechanical or Electronics Technician

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The opportunity

Join the New Norcia Ground Station team supporting spacecraft communications for the European Space Agency (ESA) through CSIRO.

With a second 35m antenna (NNO3) under construction, New Norcia is expanding its capabilities to include K-band and Ka-band frequencies—enhanced by cryogenic feeds and high-power klystron amplifiers.

We’re looking for a mechanical or electronics technician to support critical ground-based equipment including antenna control systems, drive systems, RF assemblies, and cooling infrastructure. You’ll be involved in maintenance, technical planning, and troubleshooting, providing essential support to the station manager and technical teams.

The role also supports launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) activities—testing, configuring, and operating telemetry and front-end systems, often during overnight launch windows.

Your duties will include:

• Support installation, maintenance, and repair of antenna systems and subsystems (control, RF, cooling, electrical) to ESA/manufacturer specifications.
• Provide technical support during launch and early orbit activities, including telemetry and front-end systems.
• Perform system testing, diagnostics, and upgrades; respond to after-hours emergencies as needed.
• Use UNIX/Windows tools and maintain operational software in a secure networked environment.
• Assist with configuration management, ensuring accurate system schematics and version control.
• Contribute to technical planning, including performance testing, data analysis, and implementation of ESA-engineered solutions.
• Engage respectfully with internal and external stakeholders, follow CSIRO’s values, and participate in planning and safety initiatives.

Location: New Norcia Ground Station, Western Australia

Salary: AU$96,811.00 - AU$109,527 per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus, up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 5 years

Reference: 99797

To be considered you will need:

Essential Criteria:

• Sound knowledge of complex systems in one or more of the following: mechanical, control, electrical, or electronic domains.
• Demonstrated experience in diagnostics and troubleshooting within mechanical, control, electrical, or electronic systems, with a strong aptitude for learning and system understanding.
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging to suit different audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities and complete non-routine tasks with limited supervision.

Desirable Criteria:

• Willingness to work at heights on antenna structures.
• Experience with signal transmission and reception in a satellite ground station environment.
• Practical mechanical skills, including use of hand tools and high-reliability soldering.
• Commitment to safety, including the ability to develop job safety analyses for specific tasks.

For full details about this role please review the Position Description

Eligibility

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

Flexible working arrangements

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

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

6th July 2025, 11:00pm AEST