Senior Mechanical and Production Engineer

GDG on Campus | University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) is seeking a Senior Mechanical and Production Engineer with experience in marine robotic systems. The role focuses on developing production-ready vehicle designs and supporting manufacturing and maintenance of AUV systems, with field validation across offshore environments.

This full-time, fixed-term 12-month position operates at HEO7–HEO8 levels, offering a base salary of AUD 117,133–147,858 plus 17% superannuation.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in mechanical engineering, robotics or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience developing mechanical and electronic solutions that are production ready.
• Strong design experience (e.g. SolidWorks, Altium).
• Experience with robotics systems including mechanical and electronic development, integration and debugging.
• Experience working across embedded systems, advanced manufacturing and production systems.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with researchers, engineers and stakeholders to deliver vehicle design solutions aligned to research goals.
• Lead development of mechanical and electronic components and applications for marine robotic systems.
• Design vehicle systems to optimise performance and reliability.
• Implement mechanical and electronic testing methodologies and resolve bugs and errors.
• Plan and execute field deployments and validation.
• Maintain technical documentation and support compliance, risk and safety requirements.

Skills

Robotics systems experience

Mechanical design

Electronic design

Embedded systems

Education

Postgraduate qualification in mechanical engineering, robotics or related discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

Altium

Job description

• Full time, fixed term 12-month position at the Australian Centre for Robotics
• Work with a world leading marine robotics groups exploring the translation of robotics research into practice
• Base Salary HEO7 - 8 $117,133 - $147,858 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The University of Sydney’s Australian Centre for Robotics (ACFR) is one of Australia’s leading robotics research groups and undertakes fundamental and applied research in the area of field robotics. Our marine systems group is focused on the development of autonomous marine vehicle systems for marine survey and has recently been awarded an Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Innovate grant to explore the commercialisation of our Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) technology. One of the key objectives of this project is to demonstrate the vehicle capabilities and validate operations in support of marine survey-as-a-service operations across several industry sectors.

Key project outcomes will include demonstration missions at sites around Australia and engaging with a range of key stakeholders as part of our market validation program. In collaboration with a strong existing scientific and industrial userbase, we will validate the developed tools and demonstrate how important scientific insights directly relevant to ecosystem management and commercial development in offshore industries can be derived from underwater imagery and associated data collected by AUV systems. Applications include environmental monitoring and impact assessment, climate change science, marine park management, marine archaeology, deep-sea geology, asset inspection and defence applications. Successful candidates will be expected to spend some time in the field supporting operations and validating the outcomes of their work in real-world trials to demonstrate capability.

To support this work, we are seeking a Senior Mechanical and Production Engineer with experience in marine robotic systems. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing and refining the core vehicle designs, including mechanical and electronic systems. Their primary responsibility will be developing production ready versions of the vehicle systems and supporting the manufacturing and maintenance of AUV systems. They will also work on refining and hardening vehicle designs and supporting validation of the systems in the field.

This role is offered across HEO7 and HEO8. At HEO7, you will have demonstrated experience and work independently, contributing to mechanical and electronic design and supporting system design. At HEO8, you will bring deeper expertise, operate with a high degree of independence, and take a lead role in shaping and refining overall system design and production processes.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• work closely with researchers, engineers and stakeholders to deliver vehicle design solutions aligned to research goals
• lead development of mechanical and electronic components and applications for marine robotic systems
• design vehicle systems to optimise performance and reliability
• implement mechanical and electronic testing methodologies and resolve bugs and errors
• plan and execute field deployments and validation
• maintain technical documentation and support compliance, risk and safety requirements

About you

• postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in mechanical engineering, robotics or related discipline
• demonstrated experience developing mechanical and electronic solutions that are production ready
• strong design experience (e.g. SolidWorks, Altium)
• experience with robotics systems including mechanical and electronic development, integration and debugging
• experience working across embedded systems, advanced manufacturing and production systems.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks and declarations

Your employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all pre-employment or background checks required for the role in terms satisfactory to the University. Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

Applications Close

Sunday 06 September 2026 11:59 PM