Observatory Manager - Parkes Observatory
Acknowledgement of Country
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation
Child safety
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.
The opportunity
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, operates the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF), a world-class network of radio astronomy observatories supporting leading research. NSW sites include Parkes, Narrabri, and Coonabarabran, with headquarters in Marsfield, Sydney. CSIRO also manages the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, home to the ASKAP Telescope and future Square Kilometre Array infrastructure.
CSIRO seeks a motivated Engineer to lead the Parkes Observatory technical team, ensuring reliable operations of its world-class research facilities including Murriyang, the Parkes 64-m telescope (“The Dish”). You will oversee engineering maintenance and upgrades of the telescope and its instruments while also acting as Site Leader, fostering team cohesion and managing Health, Safety, Environmental, and emergency functions.
This role formally reports to the Head of NSW Observatory Operations.
Your duties will include:
- Lead the Parkes Observatory team, ensuring smooth operations and high scientific productivity.
- Direct and actively contribute to the maintenance of all Observatory systems and to out-of-hours support of operations.
- Work closely with other senior ATNF staff to coordinate major telescope maintenance and instrument upgrades.
- Act as Site Leader, fostering team cohesion and upholding health and safety standards.
- Serve as the primary Observatory contact for engineering, science staff, and external stakeholders.
- Represent CSIRO at events, VIP visits, and media engagements.
- Manage financial and asset responsibilities, ensuring good business practices.
- Work collaboratively within CSIRO’s values, adapting to evolving priorities.
Location: Parkes, NSW
Salary: AU$131k - AU$153k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Indefinite
Reference: 99097
To be considered you will need:
Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.
- A degree in electrical engineering, computing or closely related field, and demonstrated experience in managing and leading staff in an operational environment.
- A sound understanding of a broad range of engineering principles including radio-frequency receiver systems, servo systems, digital and analogue electronics, electrical and mechanical.
- Excellent hands-on technical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel to other ATNF Observatories for up to a week at a time.
- Evidence of ability to build productive relationships, work collaboratively and manage complex professional relationships.
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to access telescope structures and work at heights.
- An Australian Class ‘C’ driver’s licence (or equivalent).
Desirable
- Formal qualifications in Health and Safety, Leadership or Management.
- Experience in maintaining safety and compliance standards of electrical systems and infrastructure.
For full details about this role please review the Position Description
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.
Flexible working arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.
Diversity and inclusion
We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.
About CSIRO
At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.
CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.
Join us and start creating tomorrow today!
How to apply
Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.
Applications close
9th March 2025, 11:00pm AEST
Acknowledgement of Country
CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation
Child safety
CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.
The opportunity
CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, operates the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF), a world-class network of radio astronomy observatories supporting leading research. NSW sites include Parkes, Narrabri, and Coonabarabran, with headquarters in Marsfield, Sydney. CSIRO also manages the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, home to the ASKAP Telescope and future Square Kilometre Array infrastructure.
CSIRO seeks a motivated Engineer to lead the Parkes Observatory technical team, ensuring reliable operations of its world-class research facilities including Murriyang, the Parkes 64-m telescope (“The Dish”). You will oversee engineering maintenance and upgrades of the telescope and its instruments while also acting as Site Leader, fostering team cohesion and managing Health, Safety, Environmental, and emergency functions.
This role formally reports to the Head of NSW Observatory Operations.
Your duties will include:
- Lead the Parkes Observatory team, ensuring smooth operations and high scientific productivity.
- Direct and actively contribute to the maintenance of all Observatory systems and to out-of-hours support of operations.
- Work closely with other senior ATNF staff to coordinate major telescope maintenance and instrument upgrades.
- Act as Site Leader, fostering team cohesion and upholding health and safety standards.
- Serve as the primary Observatory contact for engineering, science staff, and external stakeholders.
- Represent CSIRO at events, VIP visits, and media engagements.
- Manage financial and asset responsibilities, ensuring good business practices.
- Work collaboratively within CSIRO’s values, adapting to evolving priorities.
Location: Parkes, NSW
Salary: AU$131k - AU$153k per annum (pro-rata for part-time) plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure: Indefinite
Reference: 99097
To be considered you will need:
Essential
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed.
- A degree in electrical engineering, computing or closely related field, and demonstrated experience in managing and leading staff in an operational environment.
- A sound understanding of a broad range of engineering principles including radio-frequency receiver systems, servo systems, digital and analogue electronics, electrical and mechanical.
- Excellent hands-on technical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel to other ATNF Observatories for up to a week at a time.
- Evidence of ability to build productive relationships, work collaboratively and manage complex professional relationships.
- Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to access telescope structures and work at heights.
- An Australian Class ‘C’ driver’s licence (or equivalent).
Desirable
- Formal qualifications in Health and Safety, Leadership or Management.
- Experience in maintaining safety and compliance standards of electrical systems and infrastructure.
For full details about this role please review the Position Description
Eligibility
Applications for this position are open to Australian/New Zealand Citizens, Australian Permanent Residents or you must either hold, or be able to obtain, a valid working visa for the duration of the specified term. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.
Flexible working arrangements
We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.
Diversity and inclusion
We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.
About CSIRO
At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact.
CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.
Join us and start creating tomorrow today!
How to apply
Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.
Applications close
9th March 2025, 11:00pm AEST
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