Position Details
Technical Services – CSOF5
Role summary for potential applicants
Advertised Job Title:
Mechanical and Ocean Engineer
Reference Number:
4390
Classification:
CSOF5
Salary Range:
AU $92k to AU $100k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Location:
Hobart, Tasmania
Indefinite OR
Tenure:
Relocation assistance:
Specified Term of 3 years
Will be provided to the successful candidate if required.
Australian Citizens Only
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents Only
All Candidates
Applications are open to: 
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For Specified Term positions, we will accept applications from Temporary Residents with
working rights for the length of the term, who do not require sponsorship.
Functional Area:
Technical Services
Number of Direct Reports:
0
Reports to the:
Group Leader
Role Overview:
This role is in the Engineering and Technology (ET) Program of the Ocean & Atmosphere (OA) business
unit, and will focus on the design of science platforms and instrumentation. For more information about
OA, please see the bottom of this document.
As a Mechanical Engineer you will be responsible for the development of technical solutions for a wide
variety of ocean and atmospheric observing systems to meet science needs. This will primarily involve
the design of mechanical systems to support ocean science. Typical projects include the design of
underwater camera systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, and physical sampling instruments. You
will be involved in all stages of the design process from project definition through to design, build,
commissioning and project delivery. Where appropriate you will be the project manager responsible for
on time and on budget delivery of unique science platforms. In this role you will be responsible for
managing specifications and reconciling their change against project delivery.
You will be self-motivated, but able to work as part of a team of exceptionally talented multidisciplinary
engineers and technicians. As a senior engineer you will also play a leadership role within the Systems
Engineering team, and act as a resource to other technicians and engineers in the team. You will solve
design problems that are on the borders of the possible, developing bespoke solutions for deployment
in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
Duties and Key Result Areas:
Engineering and Technical
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Develop achievable engineering solutions to the science driven design projects in the areas of
mechanical, structural and ocean engineering.
Create CAD models of designs, perform FE analysis and produce production drawings for
manufacture.
Plan, organise and monitor the allocation of resources and participate in project planning with
responsibility for major aspects of the project.
Preparation of engineering reports and presentations, and contribution to scientific publications.
Liaise and communicate with clients to determine needs and improve delivery of service; taking
responsibility for solving problems in a timely manner ensuring client satisfaction.
Analyse and interpret data, and communicate results.
Adapt and/or develop original techniques/procedures/equipment/concepts/ideas in support of
existing and further research.
Leadership and Governance
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As required, provide senior engineering leadership within the team of technical staff.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with all staff, clients and suppliers in the interests of good
business practice, collaboration and enhancement of CSIRO’s reputation.
Work as part of a multi-disciplinary, often regionally dispersed research team, to carry out tasks
autonomously in support of scientific research.
Work collaboratively with colleagues within your team, the business unit and across CSIRO, to reach
objectives.
As required, choose appropriate management strategies and communication styles to maintain high
levels of motivation and productivity, giving feedback for development purposes and providing
support for improvement.
Adhere to the spirit and practice of CSIRO’s Values, Health, Safety and Environment plans and
policies, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
Other duties as directed.
Selection Criteria:
Under CSIRO policy only those who meet all essential criteria can be appointed
Pre-Requisites:
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Education/Qualifications: BEng / BSc or MEng with significant experience in mechanical
engineering.
Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to
anticipate the interests and knowledge level of an audience and present information and feedback
accordingly.
Behaviours: A history of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative
environment while working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary, regionally dispersed research
team to carry out tasks autonomously in support of scientific research.
Essential Criteria:
1. Demonstrated capacity to solve complex engineering problems encountered during the design &
build of mechanical systems and to deliver projects, where complexity may be demonstrated, not
solely by the size of the project, but also by conflicting delivery criteria.
2. Demonstrated capability to produce engineering drawings using industry standard 3D design
packages and analyses from FE tools demonstrating fundamental structural mechanics principles.
3. Ability to manage staff and resources, direct activities and allocate tasks to meet objectives in a
timely manner while coping with ambiguity and lack of clarity and adapting to changing
circumstances and responsibilities.
4. Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and to collaborate with other teams and industry partners
to achieve objectives.
5. The ability & willingness to contribute novel ideas and approaches in support of scientific
investigations combined with the ability to investigate underlying issues of complex and ill-defined
problems and develop appropriate responses by adapting/creating and testing alternative solutions.
Desirable Criteria:
1. Experience with Matlab, or similar software package.
2. Basic knowledge of electronics.
3. Knowledge and application of Australian Standards.
4. Experience working in an engineering/science research environment.
5. Experience in the design of ocean systems, instruments and platforms.
CSIRO is a values based organisation. You will need to demonstrate behaviours aligned to our values
of:
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Integrity of Excellent Science
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Trust & Respect
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Creative Spirit
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Delivering on Commitments
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Health, Safety & Sustainability
Other special requirements:
Appointment to this role may be subject to conditions including security/medical/character clearance
requirements. To be eligible for this position you must be willing and able to:
1. Obtain a Certificate of Medical Fitness to a standard required for working in remote regions as
defined by the MNF, and a Maritime Security Identification Card.
2. Obtain a Certificate of Sea Safety Training issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in
accordance with Marine Orders Part 3.
3. Work at sea and to travel extensively in order to provide operational support in domestic or foreign
ports. This may be either professionally or recreationally demonstrated.
4. Applicants who are not Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be required to undergo
additional security clearance processes; which may include medical examinations and an
international standardised test of English language proficiency (i.e. IELTS test).http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx
Other Information:
How to Apply
Please apply for this position online at www.csiro.au/careers. To apply for this position you will be
required to submit your resume and a cover letter (of up to two pages) expressing your interest in the
role and broadly addressing your suitability. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a brief
portfolio of recent mechanical engineering designs. Applicants who do not provide the information
when requested may not be considered.
If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 984 220 and someone will be able to assist you.
Outside business hours please email: csiro-careers@csiro.au.
Referees: If you do not already have the names and contact details of two previous supervisors or
academic/ professional referees included in your resume/CV please add these before uploading your CV.
Contact: If after reading the selection documentation you require further information please contact
Andreas Marouchos by email at andreas.marouchos@csiro.au or by phone at 03 6232 5433.
Please do not email your application directly to Andreas Marouchos. Applications received via this
method will not be considered.
About CSIRO
Australia is founding its future on science and innovation. Its national science agency, the
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a powerhouse of ideas,
technologies and skills for building prosperity, growth, health and sustainability. It serves governments,
industries, business and communities across the nation.
Find out more! www.csiro.au.
CSIRO Ocean and Atmosphere
CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is Australia's national science
agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. In the environment
area, CSIRO Ocean and Atmosphere (OA) conducts climate, marine and earth systems research which is
used to assist in Australia’s national and global sustainable development.
OA’s Hobart headquarters are home to approximately 400 staff and visiting scientists. The Hobart
facility includes a deep water port which opens to the Southern Ocean and is home to the Marine
National Facility. Funded by the Australian Government, the Marine National Facility (MNF) is a bluewater research capability, which is owned and operated by CSIRO under direction of an independent
Steering Committee. The MNF comprises:
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A blue-water research capability, 94 metre Research Vessel RV Investigator
A suite of scientific equipment and instrumentation,
A collection of more than 27 years of marine data, and
The expertise and systems required to manage blue-water research and support research vessel
users.
The Facility is available to all Australian scientists and their international collaborators, with voyages
granted on the basis of proposals that are internationally peer reviewed and independently assessed for
science quality and contribution to the national interest. In 2014, Southern Surveyor was replaced by a
new vessel, Investigator. This new state of the art 93.9 metre purpose built research vessel brings
enhanced capabilities and heralds a new era of marine and atmospheric research for Australian
scientists.
It carries up to 40 scientists and support staff, on voyages up to 60 days; from the tropics to the
Antarctic ice-edge. Investigator is capable of spending 300 days a year at sea, supporting activities
across a range of disciplines in oceanographic, climate, geological, fisheries and ecosystem research. The
vessel’s design features a core backbone of permanently fitted sampling and data acquisition systems
including winches, acoustic mapping and environmental monitoring equipment.
Research teams can add further equipment such as radiation and trace metal laboratories, deep-water
dredging, coring and drilling equipment, fishing nets, towed camera systems and remotely operated
vehicles. Researchers can also integrate vessel-acquired data with data from satellite sensors,
autonomous vehicles and shore based models in real time.