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

• Geraldton based role

• Join the team working on the world’s largest radio-astronomytelescope

• Join Australia’s national science agency

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 SKA Observatory (SKAO) is a next-generation radio astronomy facility that will transform our understanding of the Universe and fundamental physics. In Australia, SKAO is partnering with CSIRO to construct and operate the SKA-Low telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in remote Western Australia, supported by teams in Geraldton and Perth.

The Engineering Operations Project Officer will report to the Head of Engineering Operations and support a high‑ performing multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and logistics specialists responsible for the ongoing operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the SKA‑ Low telescope. The role will provide hands‑ on support to the Engineering team as it transitions into a fully operational capability.

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Support Engineering Operations in the establishment, administration, and scheduling of operational service contracts, including tracking contract terms, service periods, renewal dates, and key deliverables across SKA‑ Low facilities.

• Provide project and administrative support to Engineering Operations initiatives, including action tracking, schedule coordination, meeting organisation, and follow‑ up of agreed actions.

• Maintain and update Engineering Operations registers and records, including: Service contract registers, Supplier and contractor contact lists, Transition and operational readiness trackers, Risk, issue, and decision registers, etc.

• Act as an administrative and coordination interface between Engineering Operations, Commercial, Finance, Site Operations, and technical teams to ensure contractual and governance activities are aligned with operational requirements.

• Assist Engineering Operations leadership by preparing briefing material, reports, dashboards, and presentation content related to service contracts, operational readiness, and project status.

Role Particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geraldton, Western Australia

Salary: AU$118,102 – AU$127,808per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (We are open to applicants who wish to work part-time or job-share. Please indicate this in your application).

Reference: 102955

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Demonstrated experience providing high‑ level project and administrative support to senior managers or leadership teams in a complex operational, engineering, or project‑ based environment.

• Demonstrated experience supporting the administration and coordination of service contracts, suppliers, or contractors, including involvement in transition, mobilisation, scheduling, or contract lifecycle support activities (rather than day‑ to‑ day service delivery).

• Demonstrated ability to apply project management principles to plan, coordinate, track, and report work across multiple stakeholders, priorities, and workstreams.

• High‑ level proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Project) and demonstrated experience using enterprise systems such as SAP or equivalent systems for procurement, contract, or administrative purposes.

• Well‑ developed organisational and information management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records, track actions and milestones, and support structured governance and reporting processes.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare clear documentation, briefings, and reports, and to work effectively within multidisciplinary technical teams and liaise with internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience maintaining structured documentation and collaboration platforms, such as Confluence or equivalent systems, to support operational knowledge management and consistency.

Desirable

• Experience working in an infrastructure, engineering, or large‑ scale technical environment.

• Experience supporting the transition from construction or project delivery into operational or business‑ as‑ usual activities.

• Formal training or qualification in project management, contract management, or a related discipline.

For full details about this role, please review the  

Eligibility 

Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. Given the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a pre-employment medical examination prior to commencement.

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 arange 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.

Child safety 

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View ourChild Safe Policy 

How to apply 

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

Applications close 

7 JUNE 2026, 11:59pm AWST