Graduate Systems Engineer – Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Calling all graduates and early career engineers!

Support NASA & JPL’s Deep Space Network operations

Work in a rural location surrounded by stunning nature reserves, just outside Canberra

CSIRO’s Space and Astronomy business unit (S&A), provides facilities from Australia and around the world to explore our solar system and beyond. S&A’s Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) supports ground-based spacecraft telecommunications as part of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN). Currently supporting over 40 missions, CDSCC ensures that the critical science obtained by robotic spacecraft throughout the solar system is communicated back to Earth. CDSCC has played major roles in NASA’s highest profile missions, including Voyager I and II, Cassini, New Horizons, Artemis 1, Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity) and the James Webb Space telescope (JWST).

As the Graduate Systems Engineer at the CDSCC, you will work within the Engineering team and provide essential support to our senior engineers. You will undertake hands-on work relating to the performance of RF paths for uplink and downlink and determining antenna pointing performance as well as participate in a team to install, maintain and troubleshoot various subsystems in the signal processing centre and on antennas. A significant portion of the work will also involve gathering and processing data from test and operational equipment to gain insights into system behaviours. You will also undertake relevant projects from time to time, as required. Your work will be centred around configuration-controlled systems that can only be changed through formal processes.

In this role you will:

Work with various teams and operations to monitor overall performance of systems.

Work with RF Systems in the Signal Processing Centre and on Antennas.

Undertake subsystem Installation and Maintenance in Downlink, Uplink and Antenna Pointing.

Adapt techniques to meet special circumstances or undertake modifications to methods or equipment.

Use discretion to decide which approaches are used and schedule own work around the availability of equipment.

Communicate effectively and work collaboratively as part of a professional Engineering team.

There will be opportunities to grow in the role as you acquire new skills.

Location : Tidbinbilla – Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC), ACT

Salary : AU$69,998 to AU$102,174 per annum, plus up to 15.4% superannuation

(After training, eligible for Antenna Allowance. Also eligible for Tracking Station Allowance and fleet transport to & from site, within Canberra region)

Tenure : Indefinite – 9-day fortnight. Full-time

Reference : 90878

To be considered you will need:

A degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent.

Knowledge of signal communications fundamentals.

Knowledge of RF and analogue fundamentals including tertiary education subjects touching on electromagnetic fields, electrical circuit theory.

Strong attention to detail, with the ability to operate RF and signal analysis test equipment.

The ability to interpret technical information, process data using software packages such as Matlab, LabView or similar, and to present results to peers.

The ability to program in a scripting language such as Python or similar.

User level familiarity with UNIX systems.

Strong interpersonal and team skills, both technical and non-technical.

A current Class ‘C’ driver’s licence (or equivalent).

To see the full list of criteria for this role, please view the 

Eligibility

Australian Citizens who are able to meet the US Export Administration Regulation requirements (eligibility to be determined).

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Clearance or equivalent, and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Working Arrangements

73.5 hours working over a 9-day fortnight. Fleet arrangements for transport between the Canberra region and CDSCC are provided.