Communications Engineer

Victoria Police; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria Police is seeking a Communications Engineer for the Covert Services Division to lead digital capabilities in high-risk investigations. The role requires hands-on technical leadership and deep experience in covert telecommunication interception services within law enforcement or intelligence contexts.

You will oversee a multidisciplinary team, align technology with operational needs, manage risk, and engage with hardware, software, networks, and supporting infra.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams in high-risk investigations.
• Experience applying covert digital capabilities in law enforcement or intelligence settings.
• Strong understanding of digital forensics, reverse engineering and network analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for specialist digital capabilities supporting complex and high-risk investigations.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary team, building specialist expertise and accountability.
• Maintain technical currency, engaging with hardware, software, networks and infrastructure to inform decisions.
• Set strategic direction for capability development translating emerging tech into secure solutions.
• Lead capability projects and continuous improvement across team structures to strengthen readiness.
• Provide technical assurance and oversight across design, development, testing and documentation.
• Advise senior leaders on digital capability, technology trends and investment priorities.
• Oversee operational security, safeguarding sensitive information and critical assets.
• Govern governance of technology investments, procurement, and partnerships to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Digital forensics

Software reverse engineering

Network analysis

Education

IT or Engineering degree

Job description

About the role:

The Victoria Police Covert Services Division provides specialist support to investigators through the provision of covert investigation services including through the operation and management of digital systems and projects. We are looking for a proven Communications Engineer to manage digital activities delivered by the Covert Support Division. The successful applicant with have a strong background in delivering covert telecommunication interception services in a law enforcement or intelligence agency setting. The security requirements and business needs of the work performed by the business unit will require in-person attendance at workplace to perform the role's inherent requirements.

What you'll do:

• Provide strategic leadership for specialist digital capabilities supporting complex and high-risk investigations.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing multidisciplinary team, building specialist expertise, encouraging innovation and fostering a strong culture of accountability.
• Maintain strong technical currency and credibility, engaging directly with specialist hardware, software, networks and supporting infrastructure when required to inform decisions, resolve complex issues and provide effective technical leadership.
• Set the strategic direction for capability development, translating emerging technologies and operational requirements into secure, effective and sustainable solutions.
• Lead capability projects, research and continuous improvement, directing short and long-term technical initiatives across designated team structures to strengthen operational readiness, workforce capability, organisational resilience and evidence-based decision making.
• Provide technical assurance and oversight, reviewing technical and functional analysis, solution design, development, programming, testing and documentation to maintain the business knowledge repository and ensure robust hardware and software solutions are developed in accordance with approved technical development lifecycles and frameworks.
• Provide authoritative advice to senior leaders on digital capability, emerging technology, operational risk and investment priorities.
• Oversee operational security and readiness, safeguarding sensitive information, covert capabilities and critical technology assets.
• Provide governance and oversight of technology investment, procurement, vendors and strategic partnerships to deliver sustainable capability outcomes.
• Build and maintain strategic industry and capability partnerships, representing the organisation in relevant forums, influencing capability development and positioning Victoria Police at the forefront of digital intelligence collection.

About You:

You are an experienced and hands-on technical leader with relevant qualifications in IT, engineering or a related technical discipline, and more than seven years' experience, preferably in law enforcement, intelligence agency or another complex operational environment. You bring the leadership, technical credibility and judgement to lead multidisciplinary teams, respond to critical operational demands and drive continuous improvement. With expertise across areas such as digital forensics, software reverse engineering and network analysis, you understand how specialist technology can enable covert operations and support complex major investigations.

Essential requirements

• Applicants must be Australian citizens as the incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain a National Security Vetting.

Further Information:

• One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available.
• This position is located at Victoria Police Centre, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• The business unit operates 24/7 and the role may require after hours availability and recall to duty on occasion.
• The security requirements and business needs of the work performed by the business unit will require in-person attendance at workplace to perform the role's inherent requirements.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo National Security Vetting, achieve and maintain a security classification as determined by the Department Head. To achieve this, applicants must be an Australian Citizen.
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• We expect our people to foster a safe and inclusive environment where their behaviour and attitude reflects, builds upon and promotes a positive and collaborative workplace that respects the culture and values of Victoria Police.

Applications close midnight, Monday 23 November 2026.

For further information, please contact: Inspector David Smith on [e-mail] We welcome applications from people with disability and aim to support an inclusive recruitment experience.

If you require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirement/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process (including an alternate method of submission of the application), please contact VPS Recruitment via email [e-mail] or on [phone].

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety. Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people. We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections and collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate. In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation. We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience. We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all. We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.