Senior Mechanical Engineer in Australian Astronomical Optics

Additional points:

• Excellent opportunity to advance your career
• Provide subject matter expertise and technical leadership to an exciting array of projects
• Energetic, collaborative and supportive team

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• Salary Package: from $115,030 to $127,995 per annum (HEW Level 8), plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Appointment Type: full-time, 3 years fixed-term
• Location: Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

The Role

Australian Astronomical Optics - Macquarie (AAO-MQ) is seeking an exceptional Senior Mechanical Engineer who will take a lead role developing and delivering precision opto-mechanical elements of significant scientific instruments for use on international astronomy facilities. The role requires both direct engineering and technical contributions, and mentoring and developing junior team members to support those endeavours. The role embraces the full development life-cycle including precision mechanical analysis and design, manufacture, assembly, test, commissioning and handover, quality management, systems engineering and effective project management.  The successful candidate will contribute technical leadership for exciting global research projects, providing expertise and advice to deliver innovative instrumentation projects.

Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Group Leader, you will:

• Lead the opto-mechanical engineering design and delivery of projects, from inception and design through fabrication, testing, assembly, commissioning and handover.  This includes both technical leadership and project team leadership.
• Be responsible for ensuring the thorough documentation and detailing of all opto-mechanical project elements including the design, fabrication artefacts and plans, including test, assembly, quality and project plans for components, sub-assemblies and final deliverables.
• Work closely with relevant Project Managers to ensure the delivery of project artefacts on time, on budget and to agreed specifications.
• Provide mentoring, advice, and guidance to other engineers in the team, and work collaboratively with other AAO teams, and international consortium partners, to resolve engineering and technical challenges.
• Develop, analyse, and manage specific concepts, systems and project subsystems and ensure delivery to agreed project timelines.

About You

You will have completed a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or in a closely related discipline. You will have deep and broad experience as a specialist technical Mechanical Engineer with excellent skills in opto-mechanical modelling, analysis and CAD design as well as mechanical drawing and the full production lifecycle from manufacture, assembly integration and test through to commissioning and client handover.  You will have a passion in analysis for precision mechanical engineering and an enthusiasm for ensuring high quality product and design documentation.

You will be experienced in opto-mechanics for scientific or technical instrumentation or very closely related fields.  Experience working on telescopes, in vacuum and cryogenic precision instrumentation, FEA, thermal and vibration analysis and management and working knowledge of Zemax optical analysis all highly valued. You are an excellent communicator with a proactive nature, flexible and you enjoy working individually or working as part of a larger team.

About Us

Over many decades, AAO has established an enviable reputation for its precision engineering capability and expertise within astronomy instrumentation across optical, mechanical and electronic precision engineering. We are excited to take a significant role in leading and growing Australia’s strength in astronomical instrumentation, partnering with the Australian National University and the University of Sydney under the banner of Astralis Instrumentation Consortium.

The AAO-MQ works in a matrix structure with close collaboration across all its functional groups. There is a strong emphasis on communities of practice and a shared culture of learning and innovation. As part of our expansive new vision, AAO-MQ’s team of experts will build on the University’s existing strengths in astronomy, photonics, laser technology, microfabrication, applied optics and sensing communications, with the aim of increasing industry engagement, identifying opportunities to apply AAO-MQ’s expertise to medicine and defence, and expanding its presence in the fields of optics and sensing, in addition to the ongoing mission of world-leading excellence in astronomical instrumentation.

To Apply

To be considered for this position, please apply online by submitting your CV and a separate cover letter that clearly demonstrates how you meet the following selection criteria:

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in mechanical engineering and extensive experience working in the specialised discipline
• Knowledge of and/or training in systems engineering practises for technical projects
• At least 5 years’ experience developing technology for high precision instrumentation
• Experience in cryo-vacuum systems
• Experience in geometric design using CAD software, production of parts drawings for manufacture of mechanical components. 
• Experience in structural, kinematic, vibration, and/or thermal analyses through FEA and other analytical techniques.
• Experience in assembly and test of mechanical parts and components. 
• Demonstrated capacity to engage professionally with clients, present and articulate design options, trade-off constraints and opportunities

Desirable

• Proven track record in opto-mechanics for astronomy instrumentation
• Experience in mechatronics and opto mechanical system
• Experience in mentoring team members and developing high performing teams

Role Enquiries: Helen McGregor, Mechanical Engineering Manager at helen.mcgregor@mq.edu.au

General Recruitment Enquiries: Rebecca Phillips, HR Consultant at rebecca.phillips@mq.edu.au

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation and ingenuity thrive at Macquarie University when diversity, equity and inclusion take centre stage. At the University, we embrace a culture where diversity of background, experience and perspective are fundamental to our success.

We do not discriminate on gender identity, age, culture, disability, sexuality, Indigeneity, family and caring responsibilities or religion. See our journey towards leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education.

Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub.