Senior Technician

The University of Western Australia; Crawley; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Crawley, Australia, seeks a candidate for a full-time position in advanced photonic systems. You will lead technical assembly and testing for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, manage inventory and calibration logs, and collaborate with engineering teams. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in technical roles, strong problem-solving skills, and effective communication abilities. A compelling opportunity to contribute to world-class astronomy research awaits you.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in technical or manufacturing roles involving complex system assembly and testing.
• Skilled in inventory management systems and calibration tracking.
• Experienced in conducting Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and maintaining procurement records.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on technical assembly and testing of advanced photonic systems.
• Manage inventory systems, calibration logs, and component traceability.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality assurance teams.

Skills

Technical assembly

Inventory management

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Job description

The University of Western Australia – Crawley WA

• Be part of a world‑class astronomy research centre contributing to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project.
• Lead hands‑on technical assembly and testing of advanced photonic systems for astronomical instrumentation.
• Full‑time appointment on a fixed term basis for 2 years.
• Base salary range: $ 95,231– $ 100,643 p.a. plus 17% superannuation.

About the area

The International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) is a joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia (UWA), established in 2009 and funded through 2024 with $60 million from the WA State Government and equal contributions from the partner universities. ICRAR is one of Australia’s largest astronomy organisations and a key contributor to the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. The Astrophotonics Group at ICRAR designs and tests advanced photonic systems for radio and optical astronomy, with a focus on the long‑distance transfer of stabilised frequency and timing signals via optical fibre and free‑space laser links.

About the opportunity

• Lead the final assembly and testing of the Frequency Distribution System (FRQ) for the SKA‑Mid telescope.
• Manage inventory systems, calibration logs, and component traceability to support production readiness.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality assurance teams to ensure compliance with technical standards.

About you

• Minimum 5+ years of experience in technical or manufacturing roles involving complex system assembly and testing.
• Skilled in inventory management systems and calibration tracking.
• Experienced in conducting Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and maintaining procurement records.
• Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail and documentation.
• Effective communicator with the ability to work independently and contribute to a multidisciplinary team.

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Mike Kriele at ***********@uwa.edu.au

How to apply

Please apply online via the Apply Now button. The content of your Resume and Cover Letter should demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.

Closing date

11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 18 January 2026

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Please note: Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted outside of formal channels.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research‑intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Learn more about us.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. Alternatively, please contact the Talent team at ******@uwa.edu.au with details of your query. To enable a quick response, please include the 6‑digit job reference number.