Senior Mechatronics Software Engineer

NTRO - National Transport Research Organisation; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-tax salary sacrifice arrangements

Access to 8 weeks of parental leave

Annual Christmas closure and additional holidays

Tailored career development programs

Social club with regular activities

Job summary

A leading transport research organization in Melbourne is looking for a Senior Mechatronics Software Engineer to join their innovative team. This role requires 5-10 years of mechatronic software engineering experience, alongside skills in Python, C++, and experience with advanced control systems. The successful candidate will work on designing and maintaining embedded software, collaborating with engineers to integrate data-driven solutions. The organization offers excellent employee benefits and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in mechatronic software and systems engineering.
• Proven experience leading and mentoring junior engineers.
• Knowledge of machine learning and AI integration.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain embedded software for smart devices.
• Develop advanced control algorithms for robotic systems.
• Collaborate with data engineers for predictive maintenance.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in Mechatronics or Software Engineering

Tools

Python

C++

SQL

ROS

LabVIEW

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Senior Mechatronics Software Engineer – NTRO

At the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) we strive to be an innovation portal through which government and industry can achieve great outcomes across all modes of transport. We create new knowledge through research, develop tools for improving practice, and provide expert advice to Australian and New Zealand transport agencies, ensuring our communities have safe, sustainable and efficient transportation networks.

NTRO is a globally connected not‑for‑profit, purpose‑driven organisation that has built a strong presence within Roads, Rail, Ports and Airports sectors for many decades. We cover all modes of the transport network in everything we do.

At NTRO we believe in building technology that moves industries forward. You’ll work alongside a multidisciplinary team of engineers, data scientists and innovators dedicated to developing systems that bridge the physical and digital worlds. Are you passionate about the intersection of hardware, software and data? Do you thrive on turning intelligent machines into smarter, more connected systems?

Key Responsibilities

• Problem solving: analyse technical challenges, evaluate options and recommend the best outcomes.
• Software & systems development: design, develop and maintain embedded software and firmware for smart devices, automation systems and connected mechatronic platforms.
• Data integration: implement data collection, logging and communication between hardware components and cloud or edge systems to enable analysis and optimisation.
• Control systems engineering: develop and tune advanced control algorithms (e.g. PID, model predictive, adaptive control) for sensors, actuators and robotic systems.
• Connectivity & IoT: integrate communication protocols such as CAN, Modbus and TCP/IP to support real‑time data exchange in networked systems.
• Simulation & testing: model and simulate mechatronic systems using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW or Python, and perform hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing for validation.
• Collaboration & data utilisation: partner with data engineers and scientists to feed operational data into analytics or machine learning pipelines, supporting predictive maintenance and system optimisation.
• Documentation & compliance: prepare detailed documentation of system architecture, software design and data flow processes while ensuring alignment with organisational standards, safety and quality requirements.

About You

You are a highly skilled and curious engineer who thrives in multidisciplinary environments. With a hands‑on approach to solving complex technical challenges, you turn data into meaningful insights that elevate system performance and drive innovation forward.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Mechatronics, Software Engineering or related discipline.
• 5–10 years of experience in mechatronic software and systems engineering.
• Proven experience applying critical thinking and problem solving to a range of technical challenges.
• Experience leading, supervising or mentoring junior engineers or teams.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, SQL and firmware development.
• Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System), PLC programming and industrial automation frameworks.
• Knowledge of machine learning / AI integration in mechatronic systems, including image recognition.
• Familiarity with digital twins, predictive analytics and data visualisation.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles for connected devices.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on system reliability and data quality.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and documentation capabilities.

Benefits & Perks

• Opportunities to work with globally recognised experts, with one‑on‑one mentorship and support throughout your career.
• Excellent employee benefits, including pre‑tax salary sacrifice arrangements.
• Access to 8 weeks of parental leave and support upon return to the workplace.
• Annual Christmas closure and 2 additional paid public holidays in December.
• Tailored career development with a clear step‑by‑step progression guide.
• Reward and recognition programmes to highlight outstanding work.
• Well‑established social club with regular activities, quiz nights and tournaments.

Diversity & Inclusion

NTRO celebrates a culturally and gender diverse workforce and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We strongly encourage applications from women who wish to make an impact within the STEM arena. We recognise that diverse skills, experiences and perspectives enhance our ability to deliver effective transport solutions and positive community outcomes.

Application Requirements

Applicants must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Please attach your CV and a separate cover letter (no more than one page) addressing why you are perfect for this role and what you hope to achieve. Respond to all screening questions provided.

NTRO actively seeks to include and value the unique talents, perspectives, experiences and contributions of all applicants.