Research Engineer FPGA and Embedded Communications

Role type: Casual or Part-time; Fixed-term for 6 months

Faculty: Engineering and Information Technology

School: Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering

Salary: Level A5 - A6: $106,273 - $110,319 p.a. (pro rata) plus 17% super (12% for casual)

Build cutting-edge wireless and robot communications systems, join a multidisciplinary, industry-connected research team, and gain rare end-to-end FPGA, embedded, and RF experience.

Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

Your next career opportunity:

• You will design and test FPGA-based wireless transceivers and embedded systems for collaborative robot communications.
• You will gain hands-on experience bridging digital communication algorithms, RF hardware, and real-time embedded control.
• You will work with leading researchers in a multidisciplinary team within a top-ranked engineering faculty.

What you will deliver:

• Design and implement FPGA-based communication transceivers using AMD tools, including modulation, demodulation, and filtering logic.
• Develop microcontroller-based control and configuration systems for transceiver operation using Atmel or ST platforms.
• Perform simulation, verification, and timing analysis, then debug hardware-software integration for complete transceiver bring-up.
• Test and evaluate RF and digital performance, including throughput, latency, and signal quality under realistic conditions.
• Document architecture, control logic, and experimental benchmarks, and contribute to funding proposals and research publications.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold a Master's degree or PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrate experience designing FPGA systems in the AMD ecosystem using VHDL or Verilog for digital communications.
• Apply knowledge of microcontroller platforms such as AVR, SAM, or STM32 to embedded control design.
• Bring fundamental understanding of RF systems, logic simulation, debugging tools, and signal processing for transceivers.
• Manage complex hardware-software projects independently, meeting strict timelines and taking ownership of technical outcomes.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

What we offer you:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation.
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning.
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave, and cultural leave.
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance.
• Access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company.
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program.

Your new team:

The School of Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering is a dynamic hub for world-class teaching and research. You will join the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, tackling real communication challenges with industry partners. Our faculty brings together experts in power systems, networks, devices, and systems engineering to create impactful solutions. You will benefit from a collaborative culture that supports innovation, mentorship, and your development as a research engineer.

Be Yourself:

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. The diversity of our community enriches us all, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and fair workplace where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.

Application essentials:

• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions.