Senior and Junior 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 RF systems supporting both radio astronomy and spacecraft communications

• Enjoy a flexible, inclusive workplace with options for full-time or part-time work in regional NSW, typically Mon to Fri, 8am–4pm
• Join Australia’s iconic Parkes Radio Telescope supporting world-leading space and astronomy research

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 Parkes Observatory

About 380 km from Sydney and 20 km outside the town of Parkes in the central-west region of New South Wales on Wiradjuri Country, is our Parkes Observatory, which hosts Murriyang, our Parkes radio telescope. While Murriyang’s primary purpose is astronomy research, it also has a long history of working with NASA and other international space agencies to track and receive data from spacecraft. The film The Dish was based on the real role the telescope played in the Apollo 11 Moon mission of 1969. Visit Murriyang, our Parkes radio telescope - CSIRO for more information.

The opportunity 

If you're looking for a role that combines scientific impact with a peaceful regional lifestyle or are seeking a change from the challenging hours of mining or agriculture, we offer a 7.21 hr workday with a typical schedule of Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm in a supportive and flexible work environment.

We are seeking Senior and Junior Electronics Technicians to join the Parkes Observatory Operations team. You’ll provide technical, operational, and maintenance support for low-noise radio astronomy and spacecraft receiver systems, covering frequencies from 50 MHz to 26 GHz. These systems include cryogenically cooled receivers, RF digital and analogue electronics, fibre optic systems, and digital signal processing hardware such as beamformers and correlators.

Working as part of a skilled, collaborative team, you’ll play a hands-on role in the design, construction, integration, testing, and maintenance of these systems—supporting both day-to-day operations and new scientific projects across CSIRO’s observatories.

We have multiple opportunities available across three different locations in Australia (three positions 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!

Why join us?

Join a world-renowned icon of radio astronomy—Murriyang, the Parkes Radio Telescope “The Dish”—in a unique regional location offering the best of country living: minimal traffic, fresh air, and affordable real estate. Enjoy flexible hours, 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. Located on the Newell Highway, midway between Melbourne and Brisbane, with easy access to Sydney (1-hour flight or 4.5-hour drive) and Canberra (3-hour drive). There are also strong employment opportunities for partners and family members in mining, construction, transport, and agriculture.

Key Duties for both levels (Junior and Senior)

• Provide technical, operational, and maintenance support for electronics and RF systems to ensure reliable telescope and facility operations.
• Fault-find and repair electronic and electromechanical modules to component level.
• Assist in the design, construction, and testing of analogue and digital electronics.
• Maintain laboratory facilities, inventory, and documentation.
• Support procurement of equipment and components.
• Undertake tasks under technical direction to meet project and experiment needs.
• Travel occasionally to other observatories for system installation, commissioning, and maintenance.
• Conduct safety inspections and ensure compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Work collaboratively with technical and non-technical staff to maintain efficient, safe operations.
• Contribute to maintaining CSIRO’s culture of safety, inclusion, and excellence.

Additional Duties for Senior Technician (CSOF4)

• Lead and mentor less experienced technical staff, providing on-the-job training.
• Perform complex diagnostics and maintenance on radio frequency equipment.
• Conduct EMC and RFI testing and mitigation to maintain a “radio quiet” environment.
• Support development and maintenance of documentation for asset, maintenance, and operational management.
• Maintain and program control systems and PLCs (desirable).

Role particulars

• Location:  Parkes (Regional) New South Wales. (Wiradjuri Country)
• Salary: CSOF3 (Junior): AU$76k - AU$96k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation, plus additional on call allowances

CSOF4 (Senior): AU$100k - AU$113k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation, plus additional on-call allowances.

• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, Full-time or Part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE). Mon – Fri schedule of 8am – 4pm
• Reference: 101674

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential Criteria for both roles

• Advanced Diploma (or equivalent training/experience) in electronics with emphasis on analogue and digital techniques.
• Understanding of analogue and digital electronics fundamentals.
• Demonstrated skills in technical problem-solving, including fault finding, repair, and service of electronic systems.
• Proficiency in soldering, PCB assembly, and use of general workshop tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a small team with minimal supervision when required.
• Experience preparing safety documentation (e.g. risk assessments) and a commitment to safe, inclusive, and sustainable work practices.
• Physical ability to climb ladders and work at heights up to 60m, and occasionally in confined spaces.

Desirable Criteria for both roles

• Current First Aid Certificate (or willingness to obtain).
• ACMA Open Cabling Licence (or ability to obtain).
• Current Australian Class C driver’s licence.

Additional Criteria for Senior Technician (CSOF4)

• Experience using CAD tools for electronics or mechanical design (e.g. Altium, AutoCAD, OrCAD).
• Proficiency with one or more of the following:
• Spectrum and network analysers, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and related software.
• Precision timing systems (atomic clocks, GPS receivers, timing protocols).
• Fibre optic systems (RF over fibre, digital protocols, splicing, and testing).
• Industrial Ethernet, SCADA, Modbus, I2C/SPI, or similar control and monitoring systems.

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) 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 

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.