Apprentice Fitter and Machinist

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Date: 19 Jan 2026

Location: Sydney, NSW, AU

Company: CSIRO

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

 

  • Undertake a four‑year Fitting and Machining apprenticeship and learn from skilled technical staff
  • Gain hands- on experience in a well-equipped manufacturing lab with weekly TAFE training
  • Join CSIRO's Space & Astronomy team to help build cutting- edge radio astronomy instrumentation used across observatories

 

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

The Instrument Manufacturing Laboratory is part of CSIRO’s Space and Astronomy business unit. It develops and manufactures state-of-the-art instrumentation for radio astronomy facilities. These facilities are located at Parkes and Narrabri in NSW, and Murchison in WA. The laboratory also manufactures components for other radio astronomy facilities, both within Australia and overseas.

 

The successful candidate will complete a four-year apprenticeship in Fitting and Machining. Practical training will include working in the Instrument Manufacturing Laboratory. This laboratory is a well-equipped machine shop with senior technical staff who take pride in their contribution to scientific research. Apprentices are also required to attend weekly training at a nominated TAFE college.  

 

Your high-level duties will include:

  • Manufacture and assembly of components to specified tolerances and high standards to support research projects and existing radio astronomy facilities.
  • Complete Certificate III in Engineering (Fitting and Machining) at TAFE College.
  • Complete practical work-based training using a variety of workshop equipment, including manual and CNC machine tools and CAD/CAM software.
  • Develop skills in interpreting and working from engineering drawings, sketches and verbal instructions.
  • Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues within the team, the business unit and across CSIRO, to reach objectives.
  • Adapt techniques, procedures, equipment, concepts and ideas in support of existing and further research.
  • Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment plans and policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.

 

Role particulars

Location: Marsfield, NSW

Salary: AU$34,653 - AU$67,251 per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 4 years

Reference: 101957

 

As a successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.

  • Completion of year 12 education.
  • Interest in engineering/manufacturing, motivation and willingness to pursue a career in fitting and machining.
  • Capacity to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research team, and carry out tasks under the direction of Senior Technical Staff.
  • Ability and willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches in support of scientific investigations.

 

Desirable:

  • Evidence of an interest in design/ manufacturing. (i.e. project pieces and/or photos)
  • Completion of any technical or trade-related subjects/training.

 

For full details about this role 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 careersonline@peopleteam.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 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.

 

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and 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 well-being 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

8th February 2026, 11:00pm AEDT

 

We strongly encourage you to apply early, as we will review applications as they come in. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date, if required.