Testing Technician / Engineer

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

• Apply your instrumentation, controls and troubleshooting skills in advanced energy testing facilities
• Work with equipment supporting air conditioning, heat pump, battery and renewable energy technologies
• Join Australia’s national science agency in Newcastle, with relocation assistance available if required

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 

Join CSIRO’s Energy Systems Transition Facilities team and contribute to the safe, reliable and efficient operation of specialist energy testing facilities.

As a Testing Technician / Engineer, you will set up, operate and maintain test equipment used to evaluate air conditioners, heat pump hot water systems, residential batteries and renewable energy hardware integration. Your initial and primary focus will be establishing and conducting testing of air conditioners and heat pump hot water systems.

Working alongside engineers and other technical specialists, you will support test planning and execution, instrumentation and control, equipment maintenance, fault-finding and data validation. You will help ensure that testing produces accurate, repeatable and high-quality results while contributing to the ongoing improvement of equipment, processes and facility performance.

Applications for this position across two capability levels, and the successful candidate will be appointed at the level that reflects their skills and experience. At the higher level, you will take greater responsibility for complex technical investigations, project planning and the development and implementation of solutions where established methods may not exist.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Setting up, operating and monitoring test rigs in accordance with approved procedures, quality requirements and health and safety standards.
• Installing, configuring and verifying instrumentation, including temperature, pressure, flow, electrical and energy measurement devices.
• Configuring and troubleshooting sensors, transmitters, data acquisition systems, control loops and automated test sequences.
• Investigating equipment, control system, instrumentation and test-rig faults using systematic fault-finding techniques.
• Collecting, reviewing and validating test data to ensure its accuracy, completeness and traceability.
• Maintaining clear records covering test configurations, instrument settings, calibration status, maintenance activities and fault resolution.
• Undertaking routine inspections, preventative maintenance and basic repairs to testing equipment and facility services.
• Identifying hazards, equipment deterioration and unsafe operating conditions, and supporting a strong safety culture.
• Collaborating with engineers and technicians to improve testing procedures, measurement repeatability, equipment reliability and overall facility performance

To be considered at the higher level, you will also investigate complex technical issues, develop evidence-based solutions, contribute to project planning and take responsibility for completing significant components of technical projects.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Newcastle, NSW  

Salary: AU$76k – AU$113k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Specified term of 3 years, full time.

Reference: 104221

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Experience working with PLCs, PID control, data loggers, data acquisition systems or automated testing software.
• Practical skills in instrumentation, measurement and control systems.
• Demonstrated systematic fault-finding and troubleshooting capability.
• Strong attention to detail when configuring equipment, following procedures and reviewing test data.
• Patience and persistence when investigating intermittent faults or inconsistent testing results.
• Good technical communication and record-keeping skills.
• A demonstrated commitment to the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, with a willingness to challenge existing practices in pursuit of Zero Harm.

Desirable

• A current High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation, noting that training can be provided if you do not currently hold one.
• A current NSW electrical licence, or relevant electrical qualifications and practical experience.
• A current unrestricted NSW Class C driver licence, or an equivalent Australian licence.
• An understanding of hydraulic circuits, pumps, valves, pipework and heat-transfer systems.
• Experience with equipment calibration, commissioning and preventative maintenance.
• Familiarity with temperature, pressure, flow and electrical measurement.

For full details about this role, and other 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 careers.online@csiro.au 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 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.

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian / New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents, and Australian temporary residents who hold a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term, without the requirement for visa sponsorship by CSIRO.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character clearance 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 submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close 

11th December 2026, 11:59pm AEST