Communications Engineer

First Nations Jobs; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Professional development

Great perks

Veteran support

Job summary

Downer Professional Services in Canberra is seeking a Communications Engineer to contribute to High Frequency projects in defence and national security.

You will review drawings, develop documentation, and support integration and testing of HF subsystems, working with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure compliance and quality.

The role requires chartered status and security clearance, with opportunities for professional development within a supportive multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Extensive HF engineering expertise, including system design and performance evaluation.
• Ability to review drawings, schematics and provide feedback on contracts.
• Develop and maintain design reports and test procedures to standards.
• Support integration, verification and troubleshooting of HF subsystems.
• Provide expert technical advice in design reviews and governance activities.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate extensive expertise in HF engineering across design and evaluation.
• Review and assess documents, providing high-quality feedback for EDHFCS.
• Develop and maintain design reports and JP9101 documentation.
• Support integration, verification and troubleshooting of HF subsystems.
• Provide expert advice and participate in design reviews and governance.

Skills

HF engineering

System design

Documentation

Engineering governance

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Communications Engineering

Tools

ASDEFCON Suite

Job description

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia's future.

Downer Professional Services comprises of three business units our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice, and Team Downer, which partners with CASG and NSSG as a major service provider to Defence. Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for clients across Defence and National Security.

We currently have an opportunity for a Communications Engineer in Canberra to work on High Frequency Communication project.

What You'll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key role responsibilities including:

• Demonstrate extensive expertise in HF engineering, including system design, analysis, and performance evaluation.


• Review, interpret, and assess engineering drawings, schematics, and technical documentation, and provide high-quality engineering feedback on contract deliverables to support the implementation of the EDHFCS solution.


• Develop, review, and maintain high-quality engineering documentation, including design reports, test procedures, technical assessments, and the broader JP9101 Engineering Documentation Suite, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and compliance with organisational standards.


• Support the integration, verification, validation, and troubleshooting of HF subsystems, ensuring alignment with system requirements and engineering best practice.


• Provide expert technical advice and actively participate in design reviews, technical working groups, and engineering governance activities with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

What You'll Bring

• Be a Chartered Professional Engineer of a registered Professional Engineering Body (such as Engineers Australia) equivalent or be able to attain chartered status.


• Tertiary qualifications in Communications Engineering or other equivalent experience.


• Knowledge and experience in the One Defence Capability System (ODCS).


• Experience in Capability Projects in the Defence and/or Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) environment.


• Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.


• ASDEFCON Suite Experience

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain a Security clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement. More than anything, you'll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer Professional Services

At Downer Professional Services, we're not just a workplace - we're a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country's only sovereign prime, we're committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia's interests.

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.


• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.


• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer.


• Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.

You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We're committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we're here to help you put your best foot forward.

• Online profile & CV (searchable by clients)

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A member of our staff is ready to help you with any questions you may have.