APS 5 - Textiles Technician

Australian Department of Defence; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer superannuation contribution

Job summary

Australian Department of Defence in Melbourne is seeking a senior textile pattern engineer to lead the design, development, and manufacturing of military clothing and PME within the Defence lifecycle. The role emphasizes manual and CAD-based pattern work, prototype construction, and stringent quality controls.

You will apply standards, drive continuous improvement, and ensure safe, on-time delivery while engaging with engineers, industry partners, and military users to refine textile solutions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in manual and CAD-based pattern development used in textile products.
• Experience in textile manufacturing and prototype construction for apparel and PPE.
• Familiarity with technical materials, equipment, and industrial machinery maintenance/operation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to translate operational requirements into production-ready textile solutions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver moderately complex to complex textile product design, development, assessment and manufacturing activities.
• Apply standards and specifications relevant to defence textile products.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and ensure safe, efficient, on-schedule delivery.
• Lead prototype workshops, first-article manufacture and low-volume production environments.
• Prepare accurate technical documentation and design packs for Defence standards.

Skills

Pattern development

Textile manufacturing

Prototype construction

Industrial machinery operation

Analytical skills

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Gerber/Lectra CAD

Job description

Australian Department of Defence – Southbank VIC

3d ago , from Australian Department of Defence

• $89,841 - $96,829 + up to 15.4% Superannuation
• Southbank - VIC

The Role

This role is responsible for delivering moderately complex to complex textile product design, development, assessment, and manufacturing activities that support Defence capability. Operating with a high degree of technical autonomy, the position provides specialist expertise across the entire materiel lifecycle, including concept development, design reviews, pattern engineering, pattern drafting, prototype manufacture, technical assessments, documentation, and workshop management.

The role plays a critical part in developing and improving military clothing, personal military equipment (PME), and other textile-based systems to ensure they meet operational, safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Key responsibilities include applying sound technical judgement, interpreting and implementing relevant standards and specifications, supporting continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring delivery outcomes are achieved safely, efficiently, and to schedule.

The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in manual and CAD-based pattern development, textile manufacturing, prototype construction, technical materials and equipment, industrial machinery operation and maintenance, while demonstrating strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills.

About our Team

Land Systems Division’s (LSD) mission is to acquire and support capability that enables the ADF to generate and sustain deployable Land power for an integrated force, in peace and war. We aim to be agile, innovative and outcomes-focussed as we collaborate closely with the Services and industry to deliver the latest equipment to maximise ADF performance.

The Land Engineering Agency (LEA), within LSD, supports a broad range of projects and Systems Program Offices (SPO) to ensure successful technical outcomes for the acquisition and in-service support of Defence capability. LEA provides services in engineering, testing, design and development, technical data and configuration management across the Defence Capability Life-Cycle.

The Diggerworks Innovation Centre is the Textiles prototyping arm of LSD staffed by LEA Technical and Engineering members. Diggerworks is a multi-disciplinary team, consisting of operationally experienced soldiers, engineers and project managers that are connected to users through close liaison with Army’s functional commands.

The team’s purpose is to drive innovation and integration that enhances the Soldier Combat System (SCS) though continuous research, regular interaction with command teams, field trials, co-operation with capability managers and engagement with industry, academia and international security partners. LSD is dedicated to providing staff with an inclusive and healthy work-life environment, and we will invest in your ongoing professional development to ensure your work with us is deeply rewarding.

Our Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate combines the technical expertise of a senior pattern engineer, the craftsmanship of a master sewing machinist, and the innovation of a product development specialist and be capable of transforming operational requirements into fully engineered, production-ready textile solutions.

The applicant will have demonstrated experience in textile products design, pattern making and manufacture, with strong skills in both manual pattern and Gerber/Lectra CAD systems as well as proven cut-make-trim expertise with the ability to produce high-quality prototypes that meet Defence standards.

The applicant will have experience in leading prototype workshops, first-article manufacture, or low-volume specialised production environments. The applicant will be technically proficient, detail-oriented and capable of translating user requirements into practical textile solutions, while preparing accurate technical documentation and design packs.

Strong problem-solving, communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, as the role works closely with military users, engineers and industry partners to develop and refine textile-based equipment.