ASKAP Electronics Engineer Lead
CSIRO
Geraldton, Geraldton, Gascoyne and Midwest WA
Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Engineering)
Government - Federal (Government and Defence)
Full time
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Job description:
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 hands-on electronics skills to work at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, a nationally recognised, world-class observatory
Enjoy a promising career opportunity combining advanced science, a coastal lifestyle, with a balanced FIFO Mon-Fri work week and home Friday afternoon
Excellent relocation support, and a perfect community to bring up a young family with the exposure to work for telescopes
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.
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 and Astronomy research unit, and together we aim to enable humanity to understand our Earth and Universe. Visit the Australia Telescope National Facility - CSIRO for more information.
Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, our Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory
Our observatory on Wajarri Yamaji Country in remote Western Australia is home to our ASKAP radio telescope as well as other international radio astronomy projects, including the SKA Observatory's SKA-Low telescope. ASKAP has 36 dish antennas that work together as one telescope and generate data at the rate of 100 trillion bits per second - more data at a faster rate than Australia's entire internet traffic. Science programs with ASKAP are delivering exciting new results, including mapping jets powered by black holes, discovering a million new galaxies and finding clues to the origin of fast radio bursts. Visit the ASKAP radio telescope - 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 an experienced Professional Electronics Engineer to provide technical leadership for electronic systems supporting the ASKAP radio telescope. Based at the Murchison Support Facility in Geraldton, the role contributes to the operation of ASKAP as a world?class astronomy instrument, supporting advanced digital and radio?frequency technologies. The position offers the opportunity to lead a small technical team while working on complex, state?of?the?art systems within a unique remote observatory environment.
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 the 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?
Enjoy the benefits of country living in a unique coastal regional location with easy access to Perth—just a 1-hour flight or a scenic 5.5-hour drive. This role offers flexible working 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 when relocating. You'll benefit from a Mon - Fri schedule, and additional perks include salary packaging options, health and well-being initiatives, and comfortable accommodation with catering, gym, and pool access during observatory visits. The region also offers strong employment opportunities for partners and family members in mining, construction, transport, and agriculture.
Your high-level duties will include:
Provide high?level engineering support for ASKAP electronic systems, including radio frequency and digital signal processing hardware.
Support the operation, commissioning and ongoing maintenance of observatory electronic systems across the ASKAP telescope.
Under direction of the ASKAP Team Leader, provide technical leadership and supervision to a small team delivering commissioning and maintenance activities.
Plan, schedule and coordinate maintenance programs, including contributing to budgeting and prioritisation of work to support reliable telescope operations.
Ensure the availability and effective management of electronic spares, consumables and laboratory facilities to minimise operational downtime.
Maintain accurate records including fault reporting, preventative maintenance documentation, engineering drawings and test and repair procedures.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, management, clients, contractors and observatory visitors.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, including health, safety and environmental practices, and undertake regular travel to the ASKAP observatory site. .
Role particulars
Location: Base location, Geraldton, WA (Nhanhangardi, Naaguja, Wilynyu and Amangu Country) with routine deployments from Monday to Friday to Murchison (350km north-east of Geraldton), fly home Friday afternoon
Salary: AU118K - AU127K per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% super across two capability levels. Remote area allowances and close call allowances apply when deploying to the remote site.
Tenure and work schedule: Indefinite, full-time or part-time (minimum of 0.8 FTE) | 5-day work week with regular onsite travel
As the successful candidate, you will bring:
An Engineers Australia-accredited four-year electronic/electrical engineering qualification plus work experience at the level of Professional Engineer
Demonstrated understanding and practical skills in analogue and digital electronics systems relevant to radio astronomical operations, with a specialisation in either low noise Radio Frequency electronics, or high speed digital processing electronics including both hardware and firmware for systems built around Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology.
Self-motivated, with demonstrated ability to apply professional engineering judgement in the course of commissioning, maintaining and/or designing and upgrading of electronics systems, from systems down to first-principles ‘hands-on' board level;
Ability to lead a small technical team consisting of staff with various backgrounds and skill levels;
Demonstrated ability to identify the source of system deficiencies and apply innovative solutions to technical, logistics and team challenges whilst working in a remote area for extended periods;
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information including interpret and prepare circuit diagrams, technical specifications, drawings and reports and generally to communicate effectively, in writing and face-to-face, with the team, CSIRO management and external stakeholders;
Commitment to safe work practices, to environmental sustainability and the principles of equity and diversity.
A current driver's license and willingness to travel to other CSIRO ATNF sites;
Ability to work at heights.
For full details about this role and the desirable criteria, 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
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Contact: careers.online@csiro.au