Electronics Engineering Specialist

Classification: ANU Officer 6/7 or 8 (Specialist)
Salary package: $98,387 - $129,772 per annum plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full-time, Continuing (contingent funded)

This position is continuing (contingent funded). The funding that supports this project has an expected end date of December 2030.

The Position

The Electronics Engineering Specialist will play a key role in designing, developing, testing, delivering, and commissioning advanced systems such as detector readout electronics, instrument control systems, and embedded hardware for ground-based astronomical instruments, telescopes, and civil space applications. This position supports ANU’s strategic objectives in astronomy and space by contributing to national and international research collaborations involving telescope instrumentation, satellite payloads, and spaceflight hardware. The role spans the entire engineering lifecycle—from requirements definition and circuit design through prototyping, testing, and deployment—and requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure systems meet performance, reliability, and compliance standards, including product assurance requirements.

The Person

To excel in this role, you will have

• Post graduate qualifications in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline, or a relevant undergraduate degree with a minimum of four years’ experience in scientific or aerospace instrumentation or a relevant field.
• Demonstrated proficiency in two or more of the following technical areas: detector systems (e.g., CCD, CMOS, IR), instrument control electronics, analogue/digital circuit design, PCB layout, and embedded systems development.
• Demonstrated proficiency in coding skills in at least one of the following languages: Python, C, C++, MATLAB, HDL, and proficiency using tools and software such as Altium, Vivado, VHDL, and microcontroller environments.

 The Area

The Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC) is a national facility in Canberra and part of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA). The Centre was established to support the development of the next generation of instruments for astronomy and space science. Our staff have built specialised astronomical instruments for some of the world’s largest optical telescopes; we are currently designing and building instruments to be mounted on the next generation of extremely large telescopes.

The School

Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) operates Australia’s national optical observatory and has access to the world’s largest optical telescopes. We are based at the historic Mount Stromlo Observatory on the outskirts of Canberra.

Our staff and students have made major contributions to astronomy; our astronomers include winners of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and the Nobel Prize.

For further information please contact, Annino Vaccarella, Detector Electronics and Controls Lead, T: +61 2 6125 0294, E: annino.vaccarella@anu.edu.au  

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant on indigenous.employment@anu.edu.au 

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.  For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here. For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact the hiring manager on the above listed details.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

The committee will consider candidates who do not meet one or more aspects of the selection criteria.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.