Optoelectronic Graduate Engineer

CSIRO; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 76,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

CSIRO's Mining Photonics Team is seeking an Optoelectronic Graduate Engineer to turn photonic concepts into robust prototype systems. You will work with researchers to develop photonic packaging, electronics integration and mechatronic prototyping in lab and field settings.

This entry-level role offers exposure to silicon photonics, distributed fibre-optic sensing, and practical experience across lab, cleanroom and prototype development environments in Brisbane.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronic engineering or closely related field.
• Experience with photonic IC design and simulations (Luceda/Ansys/Lumerical/Comsol).
• Foundational electronics, instrumentation, prototyping or experimental engineering.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++ for data acquisition or automation.
• Ability to work carefully in lab/workshop and maintain records.
• Commitment to health, safety, teamwork and continuous learning.
• Experience with PCB design, electronic assembly or thermal-control hardware.
• Knowledge of photonics, optical measurement, integrated photonics or device integration.
• Experience with mechanical CAD and mechatronic prototyping.
• Experience with optical fibre handling, coupling or measurement.

Responsibilities

• Support design, development and testing of photonic prototype systems.
• Package and integrate silicon photonic and radar devices into sensing systems.
• Design and prototype electronic interfaces, PCBs and temperature-control systems.
• Develop mechanical components, fixtures, housings and mechatronic solutions for assembly and testing.
• Assist with fibre-to-chip coupling, die attachment, wire bonding and cleanroom processes.
• Build and automate electro-optical characterization setups.
• Measure and document optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical performance of devices.
• Prepare drawings, test plans, risk assessments and reports.
• Contribute to trials, troubleshoot issues and test practical solutions.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, technicians, clients, suppliers and partners while maintaining safety.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

C/C++

Data acquisition

Automation

Hardware control

Photonic fundamentals

Optical measurement

Prototyping

Mechatronics

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronic engineering or related discipline

Tools

Luceda IPKISS

GDS Factory

Ansys Lumerical

Comsol Multiphysics

Job description

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

• Launch your engineering career in cutting-edge photonics and sensing
• Turn innovative photonic technology into real-world prototypes
• Join a multidisciplinary team solving challenges for the mining sector

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

Are you an early-career engineer looking to turn your technical knowledge into innovative, real-world technology?

Join CSIRO's Mining Photonics Team as an Optoelectronic Graduate Engineer and build your experience at the intersection of photonics, electronics, mechanical design and advanced sensing technology.

In this hands-on role, you'll work alongside experienced researchers and engineers to help transform integrated photonic devices from laboratory concepts into robust prototype systems. You will contribute to activities spanning photonic packaging, electronics integration, mechatronic prototyping, fibre-to-chip coupling, automated testing and prototype verification, supporting the development of advanced sensing technologies for mining and geoscience applications.

You will also have the opportunity to contribute to work associated with the Queensland Advanced Photonics Packaging Facility, silicon photonics and distributed fibre-optic sensing, while developing valuable practical experience across laboratory, cleanroom and prototype development environments.

This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate or early-career engineer who enjoys hands-on problem solving and wants to grow their career while contributing to multidisciplinary research with real-world impact.

Your high-level duties will include:

Working under the technical guidance of experienced researchers and engineers, you will:

• Support the design, development and testing of photonic and optoelectronic prototype systems.
• Contribute to the packaging and integration of silicon photonic and radar devices into compact sensing systems.
• Design and prototype electronic interfaces, printed circuit boards and temperature-control systems.
• Develop mechanical components, fixtures, housings and mechatronic solutions to support device assembly, alignment and testing.
• Assist with fibre-to-chip coupling, die attachment, wire bonding, optical assembly and associated cleanroom processes.
• Build and automate electro-optical characterisation setups using scientific programming, laboratory instrumentation and motion-control systems.
• Measure, analyse and document the optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical performance of devices and prototype systems.
• Prepare technical drawings, test plans, work instructions, risk assessments and reports.
• Contribute to laboratory and field trials, troubleshooting technical issues and testing practical solutions.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, technicians, clients, suppliers and external partners while maintaining safe and effective laboratory practices.

Location and office arrangements:

Pullenvale, Brisbane QLD

Salary:

AU$76k - AU$96k per annum (pro rata for part-time), plus 15.4% superannuation

Reference:

104150

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

• A bachelor's degree in electrical or electronic engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, physics, photonics, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience with photonic integrated circuit design with tools such as Luceda IPKISS/ GDS Factory and photonic component simulations using Ansys Lumerical or Comsol Multiphysics.
• Foundational knowledge and practical experience in electronics, instrumentation, prototyping or experimental engineering, gained through study, employment or substantial project work.
• Experience using a scientific programming language such as Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C or C++ for data acquisition, analysis, automation or hardware control.
• Demonstrated ability to work carefully in laboratory or workshop environments, maintain accurate records and communicate technical information clearly.
• A demonstrated commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, teamwork, continuous learning and respectful workplace behaviour.
• Experience with printed circuit board design, electronic assembly, embedded control or thermal-control hardware.
• Knowledge of photonics fundamentals, optical measurement, integrated photonics or photonic device and module integration.
• Experience with mechanical CAD, tolerance-aware design, additive manufacturing or mechatronic prototyping.
• Experience with optical fibre handling, fibre preparation, alignment, coupling or measurement of fibre-coupled devices.

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

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 **************@csiro.au and let us know how we can support you.

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.

Applications for this position are open to Australian / New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents only.

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

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.