About Southern Launch Southern Launch is Australia's leading spaceport operator, building the sovereign capability required to get to space and back. Headquartered in South Australia, Southern Launch operates two of the nation's leading commercial spaceports, the Koonibba Test Range and the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. Providing orbital and suborbital launch, hypersonic flight, re-entries from space and range services, for commercial, civil and defence customers. Through regulator-proven, vertically integrated mission services, Southern Launch's unique infrastructure enables direct ascent trajectories to a wide range of orbital inclination. While more than 47,000 square kilometres of secure, remote operating areas support advanced testing and recovery operations.

About the role
The Electro-Optical & Infrared Tracking Systems Engineer will develop, integrate and support Southern Launch’s electro-optical and infrared tracking capabilities across its launch range operations. The role will focus on the engineering and performance of optical and thermal imaging systems, precision pointing equipment, tracking software and associated data interfaces used to monitor launch vehicles and spacecraft. Working across systems engineering, hardware and software integration, testing and operational support, you will help deliver reliable tracking capabilities that complement other range instrumentation. Your work will support the availability of accurate, timely data to inform mission assurance, range safety and operational decision-making. Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain engineering requirements, specifications and performance criteria for electro-optical and infrared tracking systems.
• Evaluate and integrate optical sensors, thermal imaging equipment, precision pointing systems and associated hardware to meet operational requirements.




• Support the design and configuration of tracking systems, including sensor selection, system architecture and equipment interfaces.
• Integrate tracking hardware, software, firmware and communications interfaces into a cohesive and reliable capability.
• Configure and optimise tracking systems to improve target acquisition, tracking stability, measurement accuracy and data quality.
• Develop and validate software functions and data interfaces used to collect, process, record and distribute tracking information.
• Integrate tracking data with other instrumentation and operational systems to support a broader understanding of vehicle performance.
• Develop and execute test plans, verification procedures and performance assessments to demonstrate system compliance with engineering requirements.
• Conduct system commissioning, field testing, fault diagnosis and technical troubleshooting across hardware and software components.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams and external suppliers to resolve technical issues and deliver system improvements.
• Support ongoing system maintenance, configuration management, calibration, firmware updates and technology upgrades.
• Maintain technical documentation and contribute to the development of standardised, scalable tracking solutions across Southern Launch operations. Qualifications
• A bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronic, mechatronic, computer systems, aerospace or a closely related engineering discipline.




• Demonstrated experience developing, integrating, testing or supporting complex engineering systems, ideally involving sensors, instrumentation or tracking technologies.
• Experience working across hardware, software and system interfaces to deliver integrated technical solutions.
• Demonstrated capability in system testing, fault diagnosis, technical analysis and engineering documentation.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate technical issues and implement practical solutions.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering teams. Preferred skills and experience
• Experience with electro-optical or infrared systems, thermal imaging, optical instrumentation or long-range imaging.
• Knowledge of precision optics, stabilised platforms, gimbals, servo control or motion control systems.
• Experience with image processing, computer vision, target tracking, sensor fusion or signal processing.
• Programming or scripting experience using Python, MATLAB, C++, C# or similar languages.
• Familiarity with radar, telemetry, positioning systems, time synchronisation or trajectory analysis.
• Experience with systems engineering, requirements management, integration testing and formal verification.
• Experience supporting field deployments, commissioning or operations in aerospace, defence, remote sensing, robotics or other technically complex environments. Security clearance requirements Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). For more information about security clearance eligibility and the vetting process, visit the AGSVA website.

📌 Electro-Optical & Infrared Tracking Systems (Adelaide)
🏢 Southern Launch
📍 Adelaide