Senior Engineering Technical Officer - FACE

Unist; Australia; On-site; AUD 119,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Onsite childcare

Staff EAP

Parking options

Job summary

Western Sydney University seeks a Senior Engineering Technical Officer to act as the technical custodian of the EucFACE facility, ensuring complex engineering systems operate safely and reliably across the outdoor lab.

The role involves hands-on maintenance, scripting in R and Python, and collaboration with researchers to deliver high-quality environmental data throughout the year.

Qualifications

• Experience maintaining complex engineering systems and instrumentation.
• Knowledge of sensor networks and field-based technical infrastructure.
• Strong troubleshooting, planning and collaborative communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimise mechanical and electronic infrastructure for the FACE facility.
• Develop and troubleshoot R and Python scripts to improve automation and data quality.
• Calibrate specialised instrumentation and ensure safe, reliable operations.
• Support researchers with practical engineering expertise for field-based experiments.

Skills

Engineering systems

Instrumentation

Sensor networks

Programming (R/Python)

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Organisation/Company WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 9 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country Australia Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Full-time, Ongoing position at HEW Level 8.
• Hawkesbury campus with rostered start and finish times.
• Salary: $118,969 – $132,069 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Help power one of Australia's leading climate research facilities by keeping cutting-edge environmental technology performing at its best.

The Opportunity

At Western Sydney University, our technical experts play a vital role in advancing research that helps us better understand our changing environment. As ourSenior Engineering Technical Officer – FACE, you'll become the technical custodian of the internationally recognisedEucFACE (Eucalypt Free Air CO₂ Enrichment)facility, ensuring the sophisticated engineering systems that support groundbreaking ecosystem research operate safely, reliably and continuously.

This is a hands-on role where no two days are the same. You'll maintain and optimise complex mechanical infrastructure, electronic sensor networks, pressure vessels, environmental monitoring equipment and automated data acquisition systems. Working across engineering, electronics and software, you'll develop and troubleshoot R and Python scripts, calibrate specialised instrumentation and solve technical challenges that directly support researchers conducting experiments in a unique outdoor laboratory.

Working alongside researchers, students and technical specialists, you'll be trusted as the engineering expert who keeps the facility performing at its best. You'll contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, support the delivery of high-quality research data and help ensure a safe, reliable environment for experiments that run throughout the year.

What Success Looks Like:

• Keeping the EucFACE facility operating safely, reliably and efficiently through proactive maintenance and technical problem-solving.
• Delivering accurate, quality-assured environmental data by maintaining sophisticated instrumentation, sensors and automated monitoring systems.
• Developing and maintaining R and Python scripts that improve automation, system performance and data quality.
• Building trusted relationships with researchers, students and collaborators by providing practical engineering expertise that enables successful field-based research.
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement through technical innovation, documentation and strong safety practices.

You'll enjoy solving complex technical problems, thrive in an outdoor engineering environment and take pride in maintaining systems that support world‑class research.

You will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering (or a related discipline) with postgraduate experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and relevant professional experience.
• Experience maintaining complex engineering systems, scientific instrumentation, sensor networks or field-based technical infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, electronic and programming principles, with experience using R, Python or similar programming languages.
• Excellent troubleshooting, planning and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• A current driver's licence and the ability to work at heights, including holding (or being willing to obtain) Working at Heights, Scaffold and Crane Operator qualifications.

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits:Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support:Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare:Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.
• Position Enquiries:Direct toMartin Hutchens, Technical Manager, Research [e-mail] . Please include the job reference codeREF1698E.
• Closing Date:11:59pm, Sunday 30 August 2026.
• Working Rights:You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in ourEqual Opportunity Policy . We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.