Instrument Engineering Specialist

Classification: ANU Officer 8 (Specialist)
Salary package: $121,359 - $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 Instrument Engineering Specialist will lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced control systems for astronomical and space-based instrumentation. This includes real-time control systems for adaptive optics (AO) and comprehensive instrument control systems integrating both hardware and software. This position supports the ANU’s strategic goals in astronomy and space by contributing to national and international research collaborations, including telescope instrumentation, satellite payloads, and spaceflight systems. It involves working across the full engineering lifecycle—from requirements definition and control system design to prototyping, testing, and deployment.

The Instrument Engineering Specialist will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure systems meet performance, reliability, and compliance standards, including product assurance requirements.

The Person

To excel in the role you will require:

• Progress towards postgraduate qualifications Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or a related discipline and/or a minimum of four years relevant experience in instrumentation and control systems. Experience working with astronomical instrumentation or space instrumentation projects would be favourably regarded;
• Proven expertise and experience in the design, production, and testing of real-time control system development, particularly for adaptive optics or similar high-speed applications. Experience with FPGA development, or GPU acceleration would be highly regarded;
• Extensive experience with modern software development methodologies including experience with languages such as C++ and Python, and experience with embedded systems and Linux environments. Experience with control system simulation and modelling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) would be highly regarded;
• Demonstrated proficiency and experience in control systems development, including motion controllers, sensors, and data acquisition;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams using best-practice engineering methods. Experience in managing software projects, including an ability to mentor junior staff;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams using best-practice engineering methods. Experience in delivery of complex projects working with customers, industry partners, suppliers, and contractors;
• Proven ability to manage workload, work flexibly, prioritise to meet conflicting deadlines, and to quickly adapt to new environments including a demonstrated ability to use initiative, apply sound judgement and work with minimum supervision individually and within a team environment;
• A demonstrated high level of understanding of equal opportunity (EO) best practice and a commitment to the application of EO policies in a university context.

The School

The ANU 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.

The Work Area

The Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre (AITC) is 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 the next generation of instruments for national and international optical telescope capabilities/observatories.

For further information please contact, Professor Robert Sharp, E: rob.sharp@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 must have the rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.