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

• FIFO engineering role, based in Geraldton and contributing to a global project
• Join the team building the world’s largest radio-astronomy telescope
• Enjoy a 4/3 FIFO roster with every weekend at home

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 Field Engineer will provide hands on support for the radio frequency, analogue and digital signal chains and digital electronic system for the SKA Low Telescope. The role will range from commissioning a station of 256 antennas to solving a tough integration issue at the high-tech test facility. This position requires both technical leadership and the ability to diagnose complex electronic systems.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Provide professional engineering support for SKA Low telescope hardware and software to install and integrate RF, electronic, optical, and signal processing systems.
• Use test equipment to identify problems and develop practical fixes that can be performed by Field Technicians or original equipment manufacturers.
• Inspire and mentor technicians of varying skill and experience levels to build our future technical capability.
• Ensure electronic equipment faults and repairs are reported and tracked, maintain preventative maintenance documents, engineering documentation and drawings, and develop test/repair procedures when required.

Role Particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geraldton, Western Australia – FIFO or DIDO from Geraldton to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory

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

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite - Full-time, Part-time or Job-share

Reference: 102845

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• A tertiary degree in Electrical, Electronic, Communications, Radio Frequency (RF), or a related engineering field (such as Mechatronics, Aerospace, Computer, or Engineering Physics), with demonstrated on-the-field experience in installing and troubleshooting electronic systems.
• 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 deployment, commissioning, maintaining and upgrading of electronics systems, from systems down to first-principles ‘hands-on’ board level.
• Ability to monitor, inspire, and mentor technicians of varying skill and experience levels and help build our future technical capability.
• 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 and procedures, drawings and reports and generally to communicate effectively, in writing and face-to-face, with the team, CSIRO management, SKAO stakeholders and other external stakeholders.
• Commitment to safe work practices, to environmental sustainability and the principles of equity and diversity.

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 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.

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 cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications close

3 May 2026, 11:59pm AWST