Field Technician - SKA-Low Telescope (Multiple Positions)

CSIRO; City Of Greater Geraldton; On-site; AUD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

FIFO roster

On-site training

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

CSIRO invites applications for a Field Technician to support the SKA-Low Maintenance and Deployment team. Based in Geraldton with FIFO travel to the SKA-Low site, you will install, maintain and repair RF systems, optical fibre and related electronics while working with Field Engineers and contractors.

You will be supported with on‑the‑job training, safety protocols, and opportunities to develop specialised SKA-Low skills in diagnostics and fault-finding.

Qualifications

• Essential: Qualification or equivalent experience in RF, electronics, or related technical field.
• Essential: Practical ability to diagnose, test and maintain technical systems (RF, optical fibre, electronics, or digital/analogue).
• Essential: Computing skills for data entry, diagnostics, and reporting; willingness to learn scripting/automation.
• Essential: Ability to work in a small team and contribute to a collaborative environment.
• Essential: Commitment to health, safety and environmental sustainability; driving licence for 4WD travel to remote sites.

Responsibilities

• Construct, deploy, and integrate station systems for the SKA-Low telescope.
• Perform inspections and maintenance of RF, optical fibre, cables and electronics.
• Support Field Engineers and contractors; mentor junior technicians during assembly and maintenance.
• Develop and implement telescope-wide maintenance routines and safety protocols.
• Maintain health and safety compliance across activities.
• Create maintenance task checklists and record maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with engineers and managers to improve maintenance processes.

Skills

RF systems

Optical fibre

Electronics

Diagnostics

Networking

Data entry & reporting

Basic scripting

Team collaboration

HSE awareness

Driver's licence

Education

Certificate III in Engineering (Electronics) or related

Tools

Fibre testing equipment

RF test equipment

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

• Do you want to work on Country and build technical skills at the same time?
• Assist in constructing, assembling and maintaining the SKA-Low telescope at Inyarrimanha Illagari Bundara, CSIRO’s Murchison Radio Astronomy Observatory
• FIFO roster with training, development and support provided!

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. In Australia, SKAO is partnering with CSIRO to construct and operate the SKA-Low telescope on Wajarri Yamaji Country in remote Western Australia. The Traditional Owners have gifted the name Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara – meaning “sharing sky and stars” in Wajarri language – to the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, home to SKA-Low.

As a Field Technician in the SKA-Low Maintenance and Deployment team, you will help keep this world-leading science project online. You’ll work on installation, maintenance, and repair of RF systems, fibre optics, coaxial cables, and complex electronics. Collaborating with Field Engineers and technical partners, you may also mentor junior technicians and contribute to long-term maintenance strategies.

This role operates on a Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) basis from Geraldton to the SKA-Low site in Murchison, on a “4 and 3” roster (travel is via 6 to 19-seat charter planes). While on site, you’ll stay in a well-equipped village with excellent amenities and experience the unique beauty and cultural significance of the Murchison region.

We’re looking for people who thrive in hands‑on roles, value teamwork, and are eager to learn. If you have a sound technical foundation and a willingness to develop specialised SKA-Low skills, such as deeper diagnostic and fault‑finding skills, we will support you with on-the-job training, remote area preparation, and fieldwork development.

We value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture. If you’re passionate about contributing to a project of global importance and enjoy working in a unique environment, this is a great opportunity to make an impact and develop your career – so, we’d love to hear from you!

Your high‑level duties will include:

• Constructing, deploying, and integrating station systems for the SKA-Low telescope.
• Performing routine inspections and carrying out installation, replacement, repair, and maintenance of RF systems, optical fibre, coaxial cables, and electronic components.
• Supporting Field Engineers and contractors, and mentoring junior technicians during assembly, construction, and maintenance activities.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of telescope‑wide maintenance routines and safety protocols.
• Maintaining a strong commitment to health and safety, ensuring full compliance with all procedures.
• Creating maintenance task checklists using existing systems and assisting in accurate record‑keeping of all maintenance activities.
• Collaborating with Field Engineers, Supervisors, and the Deployment and Maintenance Manager to improve maintenance processes.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geraldton, Western Australia (Nhanhangardi, Naaguja, Wilynyu and Amangu Country) – with Fly-in-Fly-Out (FIFO) from Geraldton to SKA-Low site, located on Wajarri Yamaji Country

Salary: AU$76K – AU$96K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time – part-time and other work flexible arrangements may be considered

Reference: 102080

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• A relevant qualification or equivalent experience – such as a Certificate III in Engineering (Electronics), Telecommunications, or a related technical field; and/or demonstrated equivalent technical training or experience in radio frequency (RF), electronics, or networking systems; or a related trade with transferable skills.
• Practical experience or demonstrated aptitude in diagnosing, testing, and maintaining technical systems – ideally within one or more of the following domains: RF systems, optical fibre networks, electronics, or digital/analogue signal systems.
• Demonstrable computing skills, including the ability to use software tools for data entry, diagnostics, and reporting, and a willingness to learn basic scripting or automation tools relevant to SKA-Low operations.
• Proven ability to work effectively within a small technical team, showing initiative, reliability, and a willingness to share knowledge and support others, contributing to a collaborative and high-performing team environment aligned with CSIRO’s values.
• Commitment to health, safety, and environmental sustainability, including demonstrated understanding of safe work practices, risk assessment, and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe working environment.
• Current Australian driver’s licence, with the ability and willingness to operate 4WD vehicles and travel to remote sites as required.

Desirable

• Experience in working with fibre optic and coaxial cable systems, including cable management, and testing.
• Experience deploying or maintaining equipment in remote environments.

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description .

Eligibility

Appointment to this role is also subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a pre-employment medical examination prior to commencement, and provide evidence that they hold a valid Australian full driver’s licence (non-probationary licence). The candidate should also either hold, or be willing to obtain, a valid Australian construction induction training certification (e.g. Blue/White Card).

Given the nature of the position, ability to work outdoors in remote, extreme environments; to traverse uneven terrain for extended distances; adapt to rostered FIFO work; and have the physical capability to repetitively lift and carry objects up to 10 kg would be essential.

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.