HVAC Technician - SKA-Low Telescope

Job description:

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.

Role highlights

• Great ongoing opportunity to support world-leading astronomy infrastructure
• Apply your HVAC expertise in a unique remote-site environment
• Join a collaborative and dynamic team supporting the SKA-Low telescope!

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

Visit CSIRO.au for more information.

The opportunity

The SKA-Low telescope is part of the international SKA Observatory, one of the world's most ambitious scientific projects. Located in remote Western Australia, SKA-Low will help answer some of the biggest questions about our universe by collecting and processing vast amounts of astronomical data using cutting-edge technology.

The SKA-Low Engineering Operations team is responsible for maintaining and supporting the critical infrastructure that keeps the telescope operating safely and reliably. This includes a broad range of engineering systems and facilities that support telescope operations in a unique, remote environment.

As the HVAC Technician, you will play an important role in enabling world-leading science by ensuring the reliable operation of critical cooling infrastructure across the telescope site. Working closely with engineering colleagues, contractors and operational teams, you will diagnose, maintain, repair and upgrade a range of high-performance HVAC systems, including water-cooled chillers, split systems and specialised industrial air-conditioning and cooling infrastructure that support ongoing telescope operations. The position operates on a FIFO basis and combines hands-on technical work with coordination of specialist contractors and collaboration across a multidisciplinary team.

You will bring a recognised HVAC trade qualification, strong technical troubleshooting capabilities, and experience working with complex cooling systems in industrial, critical infrastructure or similarly demanding environments. You will also be a proactive team member who values safety, takes pride in delivering high-quality work, and enjoys solving technical challenges in collaboration with others.

If you're passionate about applying your technical expertise to support unique world-class scientific infrastructure, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant scientific facilities ever built in Australia, and we would love to hear from you!

Your high-level duties will include:

• Investigating and resolving HVAC system faults, alarms and incidents swiftly, collaborating with internal teams and contractors to ensure minimal disruption.
• Monitoring the Building Management System (BMS), responding proactively to alarms to maintain operational continuity.
• Performing routine and corrective maintenance on site infrastructure to maximise system reliability and uptime.
• Maintaining accurate records and schedules in the Computerised Maintenance and Management System (CMMS), ensuring alignment with asset configurations and operational standards.
• Providing guidance and oversight to contractors to ensure safe and compliant work practices.
• Responding promptly to system failures and malfunctions, implementing effective corrective actions in coordination with stakeholders.
• Planning and executing system upgrades, installations, and modifications in accordance with engineering specifications and site standards.
• Driving continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process optimisations, automation opportunities, and waste-reduction initiatives.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: Geraldton, Western Australia - FIFO to Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory

Salary: AU$100K - AU$113K per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation, plus overtime and site-based allowances as applicable

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time, Part-time or Job-share - this position operates on a standard roster of 8 consecutive days on-site followed by 6 days off, supporting a sustainable and balanced work life schedule

Reference: 102854

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential

• Recognised Trade Qualification: Hold a current Australian Refrigeration Mechanic Trade qualification, demonstrating a solid foundation in mechanical and HVAC systems.
• Licensing Requirements: Hold a valid Arctick Refrigerant Handling Licence, and either a Restricted Electrical Licence or a full WA Electrical Licence, enabling safe and compliant electrical work associated with HVAC systems.
• HVAC Experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience working with complex HVAC systems, particularly those involving water-chilled equipment racks, flow balancing, and precision cooling in critical environments.
• High-Risk Work Licences: Hold, or be willing to obtain within three months of commencement, High-Risk Work Licences for: Working at Heights, Confined Space Entry.
• Teamwork and Independence: Demonstrated capacity to work safely and productively within a small engineering team, showing initiative, self-motivation, and the ability to operate independently with minimal supervision, manage priorities and contribute effectively within a collaborative team environment.
• Communication and Documentation: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear documentation and effectively use standard software tools for correspondence, record-keeping, and updates.

Desirable

• Remote Site Experience: Previous experience working in remote locations demonstrating adaptability and resilience in isolated or challenging environments.
• Software Proficiency: Experience using industry-relevant software tools such as electrical diagnostic software, SCADA systems, SAP, Maximo, CITEC, PLC programming environments, or equivalent platforms.
• Support for Complex Facilities: Experience supporting high-reliability technical or scientific infrastructure such as data centres, laboratories, or research facilities.

For full details about this role, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don't let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact the Talent Acquisition Partner or CSIRO Careers via email (see details in the Position Description) and let us know how we can support you.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

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.

How to apply

Please apply online, and provide a CV and a detailed cover letter, responding to each of the selection criteria in detail, that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role. Please attach your selection criteria responses to your cover letter as one document.

Applications close

31 August 2026, 11:00pm AEST

We encourage early applications as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if we find our desired candidate and/or if required.