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

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.

The opportunity

The SKA Observatory (SKAO) is a next-generation radio astronomy facility that will revolutionise our understanding of the Universe and the laws of fundamental physics. Enabled by cutting-edge technology, it promises to have a major impact on society, in science and beyond.

In Australia, the SKAO is collaborating with CSIRO to operate and support the construction of the low frequency telescope (SKA-Low) in remote Western Australia on Wajarri Yamaji Country.

The Traditional Owners and native title holders, the Wajarri Yamaji, have gifted CSIRO with the traditional name Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara for the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, home to the SKA-Low telescope. The traditional name means ‘sharing sky and stars' in the Wajarri language.

The SKA-Low Maintenance Planning Engineer will ensure the smooth deployment, integration, and long-term maintenance of the SKA-Low Telescope. The role will include developing and managing maintenance schedules, overseeing maintenance activities, and coordinating site operations to ensure all tasks are completed efficiently and safely. The role will require regular (up to 50%) domestic travel to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. This travel will be FIFO from Geraldton small 9-seater aircraft.

Your duties will include:

• Interpret Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data to develop comprehensive maintenance plan documentation and actionable work instructions.
• Continuously update the 3-month forward plan, factoring in available resources and scheduled science activities.
• Develop and maintain a robust maintenance plan for all site-based maintenance team members.
• Anticipate the long-term maintenance needs of the telescope, collaborating with maintenance and domain engineers globally to develop solutions.
• Provide timely reporting of maintenance planning, including status, challenges, and proposed solutions.

Location: Geraldton, Western Australia - role will also FIFO or DIDO to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory

Salary: AU$114,219 - AU$123,605 plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Indefinite - Full-Time, Part-Time or Job-Share

Reference: 100218

To be considered you will need:

Essential

• Qualifications: A university degree or higher qualification in Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience in a similar role.
• Collaboration: Proven experience in effectively coordinating with both internal and external stakeholders, particularly in the context of construction and maintenance operations.
• Maintenance & Strategic Planning: Demonstrated ability in strategic planning and coordination of maintenance activities for operational projects.
• Organisation & Time Management Skills: Strong organisational capabilities, with a track record of managing multiple tasks, prioritising workloads, and meeting tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Highly proficient in office suite software (e.g., Microsoft Office) and database management, with the ability to effectively use these tools to support this positions engineering capabilities, administrative and reporting tasks.

Desirable

• Project Management: Formal qualifications or equivalent experience in project management, with a strong understanding of resource management and project delivery in maintenance operations.
• Inventory & Spare Parts Management: Experience or knowledge in developing and implementing processes for maintenance-related inventory management, particularly for large-scale projects.
• Remote Work Experience: Previous experience working in remote or challenging field conditions, with the ability to adapt to and manage logistics in such environments.
• Cultural Awareness & Collaboration: Prior experience working with Indigenous Australian communities or engaging with culturally diverse stakeholders, demonstrating respect for local traditions and values.

CSIRO is an Equal Opportunity employer working hard to recruit world-class talent that represents the diversity across our society. As part of our commitment to equitable employment outcomes for under-represented groups, preference will be given to Indigenous Austrlain people, women, and people with a disability who meet the role criteria.

For Full details about this role, please review the Position Description

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.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.

CSIRO and the SKA Observatory value and respect difference, and we are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work. We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. We are open to discussing flexible working opportunities with this role being offered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. Please raise your preference in your application.

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

To apply for this role, please apply on-line providing your CV, and a Cover Letter clearly addressing the essential criteria of this role and your motivation for applying. Under CSIRO policy, only those who are able to demonstrate how they can meet the essential criteria may be appointed

Applications close

13 JULY 2025, 11:59pm AWST