Communications Engineer

Downer; North Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Professional development

Perks@Downer

Reservist Leave

Job summary

Downer Professional Services in Canberra is seeking a Communications Engineer to lead high-frequency (HF) engineering across defence and national security projects. You will design, evaluate, and document HF systems, ensuring alignment with edifice-wide requirements and JP9101 standards.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will review technical drawings, support integration, verification, and governance activities, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Chartered Professional Engineer status or ability to attain chartered status.
• Tertiary qualifications in Communications Engineering or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate extensive HF engineering expertise including system design, analysis, and performance evaluation.
• Review and interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and docs; provide feedback on contract deliverables for EDHFCS.
• Develop, review and maintain engineering documentation (design reports, test procedures, assessments).
• Support integration, verification, validation, and troubleshooting of HF subsystems.
• Provide expert technical advice and participate in design reviews and governance activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Clearance awareness

HF engineering

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Communications Engineering

Chartered Professional Engineer

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. Even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with this role, we'd still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

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.