Lead Engineer, Optical Systems

The University of Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Western Australia seeks a senior optical engineer to lead the ICRAR free-space optical and optomechanical design efforts. You will set technical standards, oversee budgets and mentor engineers, research staff and students across multiple programs.

You will represent ICRAR in reviews with industry, defence and government partners, and lead integration and test campaigns, including remote-site deployments.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in optical science, engineering, photonics or physics.
• Demonstrated authority in optical and optomechanical system design.
• Experience with free-space optical terminals and precision optomechanics.

Responsibilities

• Act as ICRAR’s technical authority on free-space optical and optomechanical systems, setting design standards and verification approaches.
• Manage delivery of optical engineering work packages across concurrent programs, including priorities, schedules and budgets, and mentor staff and postgraduate students.
• Represent ICRAR in design reviews and technical exchanges with industry, defence and government partners, leading integration and test campaigns.

Skills

Free-space optics

Optomechanical design

Zemax OpticStudio

3D CAD

Telescope systems

Education

Postgraduate optics degree

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Job description

About The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia's leading universities and has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research.It has almost 24,000 students enrolled across four...

• Lead the optical and optomechanical engineering effort across a portfolio of externally funded programs in free-space optical communications, satellite laser ranging and ground-to-space optical terminals.
• Join a cutting-edge research group developing advanced photonic systems for astronomy, space science, quantum technologies and national security.
• Full-time appointment on a fixed term basis until 31/12/2027

About the area

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is a joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia (UWA), established in 2009 and funded through 2030 with $65 million from the WA State Government. ICRAR is a leading institution in radio astronomy and a key Australian contributor to the global SKA project. The Astrophotonics Group within ICRAR develops advanced photonic systems for radio and optical astronomy, with a focus on long-distance transfer of stabilised frequency and timing signals via optical fibre and free-space laser links.

About the opportunity

• Act as ICRAR’s technical authority on free-space optical and optomechanical systems, setting the technical requirements, design standards and verification approaches for optical systems across the Astrophotonics group.
• Manage delivery of the optical engineering work packages across concurrent programs, including technical priorities, schedules and equipment budgets, and direct and mentor engineers, technical officers, research staff and postgraduate students.
• Represent ICRAR in design reviews and technical exchanges with industry, defence and government partners, and lead laboratory, field and on-platform integration and test campaigns, including deployments to remote observatory sites and to maritime and airborne platforms.

About you

• A postgraduate qualification in optical science and engineering, photonics, physics or a related discipline, with extensive experience and demonstrated standing as an authority in optical and optomechanical system design.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, fabrication, alignment and testing of free-space optical terminals, including single-mode fibre coupling, multi-wavelength beam co-alignment and precision optomechanical mounting, using tools such as Zemax OpticStudio and 3D CAD.
• Experience with telescope and optical ground station systems, including pointing, acquisition and tracking, high-power laser installation, and laser safety requirements.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and mentoring of engineering staff and students, and experience advising and negotiating technical requirements with industry, defence and government partners and delivering against contracted milestones.

Note

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to complete declarations in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 01 November 2026

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia

Please note: Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted outside of formal channels.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at [e-mail] with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.