Principal Technical Officer - Robotics

The University of Queensland; City of Brisbane; On-site; AUD 107,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% super

26 weeks parental leave

on-campus childcare

salary packaging

heavy discounted Study for Staff

Job summary

University of Queensland invites applications for a Principal Technical Officer - Robotics to provide high-level technical support across robotics teaching and research environments at the St Lucia campus. The role combines independent work with collaboration to create practical labs where staff and students solve engineering challenges.

The successful candidate will have a relevant degree with extensive robotics and mechatronic engineering experience, and strong ROS2, Python and C++ skills,

Qualifications

• A relevant degree with at least four years of subsequent experience in robotic and mechatronic engineering.
• Proven expertise in robotic systems, including installation, integration, testing and maintenance.
• Proficiency with ROS2, Python and C++, and experience with ground robots and robot arms.
• Experience designing PCBs, sensor integration and networking multiple robots.
• Knowledge of electrical safety standards and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support for robotics equipment design, operation, maintenance and calibration.
• Develop safe operating procedures and risk assessments for robotics laboratories.
• Assist with the design and construction of experimental systems and teaching activities.
• Offer technical leadership, training and mentorship in robotics lab environments.

Skills

ROS2

Python

C++

Robotics integration

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

PCB design

Embedded systems

Job description

Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology / School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Full-time permanent position

Base salary will be in the range $106,709.01 - $116,198.52 + 17% super (HEW Level 7)

Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity

The Principal Technical Officer - Robotics provides high-level specialist technical support across UQ's robotics teaching and research environments. As part of the Engineering & Technical Support Group, you will bring deep expertise in robotics and mechatronic engineering to support safe, reliable and innovative laboratories and technical infrastructure. Working independently and collaboratively with academic and professional colleagues, you will help create practical environments where staff and students can experiment, learn and solve complex engineering challenges together.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical support for the design, operation, maintenance, repair and calibration of specialised robotics equipment and infrastructure, including mobile platforms, robot arms, mobile manipulators, aerial platforms and motion capture arenas.
• Develop and maintain safe systems of work for robotics laboratories, including risk assessments, Safe Operating Procedures, laser safety procedures, electrical safety requirements and other relevant documentation.
• Support the design and construction of experimental systems and practical teaching activities, applying specialist knowledge across sensors, actuators, PCB design, embedded systems, ROS2 and hardware-software integration.
• Provide technical leadership in robotics laboratory environments through training, mentoring and supervision of staff and students, laboratory oversight, equipment procurement and continuous improvement of technical infrastructure and services.

About You

• A relevant degree with at least four years of subsequent relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of extensive experience and/or education and training in robotic and mechatronic engineering and systems engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in robotic and mechatronic systems, including installation, integration, networking, troubleshooting, testing and maintenance.
• Proficiency with Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2), Python and C++, together with experience operating, programming and maintaining ground robot platforms and robot arms.
• Demonstrated experience integrating sensors and actuators with robotic platforms, including designing custom PCBs for bespoke configurations and networking multiple robots and devices.
• Strong knowledge of applicable Australian electrical standards and safety legislation, with experience preparing and implementing safe systems of work and risk assessments.
• High-level organisational, analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative technical, academic and professional environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated experience training, supervising or mentoring technical staff and/or students.
• Experience in a higher education or research environment is highly regarded.
• You will need to meet relevant University WHS requirements and be eligible to obtain a Blue Card.
• First Aid and laser safety qualifications can be obtained in the role, while a restricted electrical licence is desirable.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, working together to create a better world. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available.

Benefits

• Enjoy up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave
• 17% super
• 17.5% leave loading
• health and wellbeing programs
• a heavily discounted Study for Staff program
• on-campus childcare
• affordable parking
• salary packaging

Additional Information

Pre-employment checks may include: verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, and Blue Card checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criteria but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Applications close Wednesday October 28th 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69551). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for the week commencing November 2nd 2026.

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence - evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million). Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries. UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalised guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking to advance your career, UQ is here to support you every step of the way. UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work.

For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.