Assistant Principal Maintenance Manager

Department of Defence; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Defence is seeking an APS 6 Assistant Principal Maintenance Manager to join the Maritime Systems Division's Engineering Management Unit. You will support maintenance planning and improvement across maritime capabilities, coordinating with Defence and industry partners to ensure accurate planning and governance.

Ideal candidates will have AQF Level 6 qualifications or equivalent, strong analytical and organisational skills, and the ability to develop Maintenance Plans, Annual

Qualifications

• AQF Level 6 qualification in a relevant technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in maintenance planning and sustainment.
• Ability to analyse maintenance requirements and assess risks.
• Strong analytical, communication and organisational skills.
• Aptitude to work with maintenance management systems and Defence tools.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to corrective maintenance planning and maintenance baseline management.
• Assist in development of Maintenance Plans, Annual Work Lists and Five-Year Maintenance Work Lists.
• Identify, assess and report maintenance-related risks and mitigation strategies.
• Engage with Defence and industry stakeholders to ensure planning aligns with activities.
• Uphold APS and Defence Values through professionalism and accountability.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Engineering support

Asset management

Maritime sustainment

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

AQF Level 6 qualification

Tools

Maintenance management systems

Defence reporting tools

Job description

Maritime Systems Division is seeking an APS 6 Assistant Principal Maintenance Manager (APMM) to join the Engineering Management Unit (EMU). Under the direction of the Principal Maintenance Manager, the APMM supports the management of the material state and maintenance requirements of assigned maritime capabilities.

The role contributes to corrective maintenance planning, maintenance baseline management, maintenance improvement and optimisation activities, defect and deficiency resolution, maintenance period planning, and project reviews. The APMM assists in the development of Maintenance Plans, Annual Work Lists and Five-Year Maintenance Work Lists, while identifying, assessing and reporting maintenance-related risks and recommending mitigation strategies.

You will work closely with Defence and industry stakeholders to ensure maintenance requirements accurately represent planning activities. Strong analytical, communication and organisational skills are required, with the ability to utilise maintenance management systems and Defence reporting tools to support informed decision-making, capability outcomes and continuous improvement. The incumbent will uphold APS and Defence Values.

Defence roles cover a diverse range of workplace environment requirements. These may include physical tasks or working in conditions that are not typical of an office environment. Candidates should consider these requirements when assessing their suitability for the role. For more information, please contact the nominated contact officer.

Works outdoors, Working at heights, Requirement to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), Confined spaces, Excessive Noise.

About our Team

Maritime Sustainment Division (MSD) operates within the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group delivering in-service support to Navy and Army along with delivering new capability to Government. The Engineering Management Unit (EMU) provides engineering, maintenance planning and technical support across the Asset Class Enterprise, working closely with System Program Offices, Navy, Army and industry partners.

Operating within a collaborative and geographically dispersed environment, the EMU supports complex maritime platforms through integrated engineering and sustainment activities. Our team delivers maintenance planning, assurance and technical governance functions that contribute directly to fleet availability and capability outcomes.

We value initiative, teamwork and continuous improvement, offering flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, mentoring and coaching. MSD promotes an inclusive workplace where people are empowered to contribute, innovate and grow while supporting outcomes that matter to Defence and the Nation.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a motivated technical professional with experience in maintenance planning, engineering support, asset management or maritime sustainment. They will demonstrate strong maintenance management and sustainment expertise, applying sound technical judgement to analyse maintenance requirements, assess risks and provide recommendations that support Defence capability outcomes.

The successful candidate will possess strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex stakeholder environment.

They will contribute to the development, review and optimisation of Maintenance Plans, Annual Work Lists and Five-Year Maintenance Work Lists, using evidence-based analysis to support maintenance effectiveness, reliability improvement and informed decision-making.

They will demonstrate effective stakeholder engagement, communication and collaboration skills, preparing clear written advice and building productive relationships across Defence and industry.

They will apply relevant technical and governance frameworks while upholding APS and Defence Values with professionalism, integrity and accountability.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Mandatory Qualifications:

This technical position requires a recognised Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 6 qualification in a relevant technical discipline, or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience that would enable attainment of an AQF Level 6 qualification if required by the position.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

Maritime Systems Division is seeking an APS 6 Assistant Principal Maintenance Manager (APMM) to join the Engineering Management Unit (EMU). Under the direction of the Principal Maintenance Manager, the APMM supports the management of the material state and maintenance requirements of assigned maritime capabilities.

The role contributes to corrective maintenance planning, maintenance baseline management, maintenance improvement and optimisation activities, defect and deficiency resolution, maintenance period planning, and project reviews. The APMM assists in the development of Maintenance Plans, Annual Work Lists and Five-Year Maintenance Work Lists, while identifying, assessing and reporting maintenance-related risks and recommending mitigation strategies.

You will work closely with Defence and industry stakeholders to ensure maintenance requirements accurately represent planning activities. Strong analytical, communication and organisational skills are required, with the ability to utilise maintenance management systems and Defence reporting tools to support informed decision-making, capability outcomes and continuous improvement. The incumbent will uphold APS and Defence Values.

Defence roles cover a diverse range of workplace environment requirements. These may include physical tasks or working in conditions that are not typical of an office environment. Candidates should consider these requirements when assessing their suitability for the role. For more information, please contact the nominated contact officer.

Works outdoors, Working at heights, Requirement to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), Confined spaces, Excessive Noise.

About our Team

Maritime Sustainment Division (MSD) operates within the Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group delivering in-service support to Navy and Army along with delivering new capability to Government. The Engineering Management Unit (EMU) provides engineering, maintenance planning and technical support across the Asset Class Enterprise, working closely with System Program Offices, Navy, Army and industry partners.

Operating within a collaborative and geographically dispersed environment, the EMU supports complex maritime platforms through integrated engineering and sustainment activities. Our team delivers maintenance planning, assurance and technical governance functions that contribute directly to fleet availability and capability outcomes.

We value initiative, teamwork and continuous improvement, offering flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, mentoring and coaching. MSD promotes an inclusive workplace where people are empowered to contribute, innovate and grow while supporting outcomes that matter to Defence and the Nation.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a motivated technical professional with experience in maintenance planning, engineering support, asset management or maritime sustainment. They will demonstrate strong maintenance management and sustainment expertise, applying sound technical judgement to analyse maintenance requirements, assess risks and provide recommendations that support Defence capability outcomes.

The successful candidate will possess strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex stakeholder environment.

They will contribute to the development, review and optimisation of Maintenance Plans, Annual Work Lists and Five-Year Maintenance Work Lists, using evidence-based analysis to support maintenance effectiveness, reliability improvement and informed decision-making.

They will demonstrate effective stakeholder engagement, communication and collaboration skills, preparing clear written advice and building productive relationships across Defence and industry.

They will apply relevant technical and governance frameworks while upholding APS and Defence Values with professionalism, integrity and accountability.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Mandatory Qualifications:

This technical position requires a recognised Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 6 qualification in a relevant technical discipline, or equivalent skills, knowledge and experience that would enable attainment of an AQF Level 6 qualification if required by the position.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers