Engineer - Mechanical/Process

The Opportunity 

CSIRO’s Solar Thermal Engineering team is a multi-disciplinary group of scientists, engineers and economists working at the forefront of renewable energy. Based in Newcastle, the team is focused on solving complex industry challenges, developing new technologies to accelerate the transition to clean energy, and creating lasting impact for Australian industry and communities.

As a Mechanical/Process Engineer in this dynamic team, you will play a key role in supporting the inventory management, experiments, running equipment and managing logistics.

This would be a fantastic opportunity for a motivated engineering professional to contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge solar energy technologies and high-temperature systems.

Our team is growing and we have multiple positions available - if you have a passion for innovative engineering solutions and the drive to lead impactful projects, we would love to hear from you!

Your high-level duties will include: 

• Assisting with the development, testing and modification of prefabricated structures, parts and control systems for pilot scale demonstration of technologies.
• Designing and performing straightforward experiments and routine analyses of solar photovoltaics and solar thermal technologies, assisting with the design and/or scale-up of new processes or apparatus by adapting existing techniques and components to meet special circumstances or undertaking modifications to methods requiring some innovation.
• Performing some non-routine technology development activities using a range of techniques, often working on several parallel and competing tasks.
• Working with discretion to decide on the timing of operations within the work team’s plan and planning ahead to meet experimental and/or project demands.
• Assisting with maintaining research facilities, scheduling and instructing staff in the use of equipment, maintaining workspaces and consumables.
• Developing and maintaining service drawings, P&IDs and plant assembly drawings
• Supervising external contractors.

Role Particulars

• Location and office arrangements: Newcastle, NSW
• Salary: AU$96K – AU$109K per annum plus up to 15.4% superannuation
• Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite; Full-time (preferred) – part-time and flexible work arrangements may be considered based on needs of the role and individual circumstances.
• Reference: 100546

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• A tertiary degree and/ or equivalent relevant work experience in Mechatronics engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, or similar field.
• Effective problem-solving skills and a results-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational abilities, with keen attention to detail and the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of professionalism and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive work environment.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with CAD and FEA software, preferably the Solidworks software package, particularly with more complicated assembly models.
• Knowledge of high-temperature thermo-optical concentrator systems or experience in heat and mass transfer systems, or knowledge of photovoltaics devices and solar energy system design.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities, with a proven capacity to supervise and develop engineering teams.
• Experience working with pilot scale hardware, design and testing.
• Experience in or understanding of basic control systems, electronics, embedded hardware.

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 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/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 

13 August 2025, 11:00pm AEST

We strongly encourage you to apply early as we will be reviewing applications as they come through. CSIRO reserves the right to withdraw this ad prior to the closing date if required.