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

• Lead CSIRO’s partnership with Boeing US on major research and innovation projects.
• Build global networks and drive collaboration between science and industry.
• Unique, autonomous role based in Seattle, shaping aviation’s future.

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

CSIRO is seeking an individual to lead CSIRO’s strategic partnership with Boeing US as a Senior Technical Advisor, embedded within the Boeing organisation in Seattle. In this high-profile role, you will manage key research and innovation projects, build global networks, and drive collaboration between world-class scientists and industry leaders. You’ll play a pivotal part in shaping the future of aviation and aerospace, leveraging a 35-year partnership that has delivered over 190 projects, multiple patents, and industry awards.

As a trusted advisor, you will operate autonomously in a dynamic international environment, supported by a dedicated Australian team. Your work will directly contribute to CSIRO’s mission of solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology, while offering you a unique, career-defining experience at the forefront of global research and industry engagement.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Refresh and maintain a rolling three-year strategic engagement plan for the Boeing US–CSIRO relationship, establishing agreed performance criteria and new business pathways.
• Build and leverage networks and relationships between CSIRO and Boeing US to identify and pursue strategic opportunities.
• Lead the development of revenue-generating projects and manage the Boeing US–CSIRO portfolio, including technology transition and securing IP rights for CSIRO.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between Boeing US and CSIRO staff, and extend partnership strategies with the Steering Committee.
• Apply strong knowledge of CSIRO operational policies for effective contracting, pricing, IP protection, technology transfer, and dispute resolution.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Based in Seattle, Washington, USA

Salary: Attractive Salary offered based on experience

Tenure & work schedule:

Specified term of 3 years

Reference: 102023

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

1. Relevant University qualification in Science or Engineering, or relevant industry experience, an additional postgraduate management qualification is desirable
2. Demonstrated ability to develop and manage effective working relationships with a large and diverse range of scientists, senior executives, and administrative teams to create high value projects, opportunities, and commercial relationships.
3. Demonstrated experience in achieving impact utilising superior leadership skills: influence, listening, and leading large virtual, or indirect teams.
4. Technical background or aptitude to competently deal with science and engineering aspects of the position, with the ability to understand and communicate with technical experts over a wide range of technologies and engineering disciplines and correlate learnings with CSIRO capabilities to create opportunity.
5. A broad knowledge of CSIRO capabilities and a responsive network within CSIRO.
6. Proven abilities in setting strategies, research impact objectives, resource allocations, financial targets, and driving performance to plan.
7. Proven success in developing, negotiating and closing a wide variety of new business agreements and high value deals with industry partners in line with broader CSIRO strategic goals.
8. Outstanding written and oral communication, negotiation, and representational skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver against objectives and a strong goal orientation.
9. A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.

Desirable

1. Strong understanding of business and science trends, and technology issues relevant to the aviation and aerospace industries.
2. US Residency visa while not essential would be highly valued.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the

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 Wade.Barker@csiro.au let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process.

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.

Eligibility

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

11 Jan 2026, 11:00pm AEDT