Communications Network Engineer – C4 Routing & Bearers | Canberra - Onsite | NV1

Pinaka Technology Solutions; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinaka Technology Solutions is seeking a Communications Network Engineer for Routing & Bearers within Defence—onsite in Canberra. The role focuses on Foundational C4 Design for the Joint Force, developing WAN requirements and wide-area network architectures across system-of-systems.

Responsibilities include creating architecture views, MBSE application, and collaboration with stakeholders to support senior committees and design governance. Onsite work with potential travel for engagement.

Qualifications

• Understanding/experience in OSI reference model with WAN standards and protocols; familiarity with SATCOM and RF systems.
• Understanding ICT architectural views including DoDAF/NATO Architecture Framework, enterprise and solution architectures.

Responsibilities

• Develop Foundational C4 Design guidance to improve information exchange and integration.
• Apply routing and bearer knowledge to Joint mission designs and threads.
• Lead review and updating of C4 design guidance.
• Build C4 architecture solutions (logical, functional, physical).
• Develop WAN and communications-system requirements across Joint Force.
• Create systems‑of‑systems visualisations using digital modelling tools.
• Apply MBSE and mission-thread methodologies to C4 design.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop force-integration artefacts.
• Support Foundational Design submissions and briefs for senior committees.
• Contribute to C4 Design Working Group and related boards.
• Recommend improvements to methods, processes and repositories for C4 guidance.
• Collaborate with standards team to formalise guidance into standards profiles.
• Develop architecture views and data visualisations of As-Is/To-Be.
• Apply MBSE at classifications up to Secret.
• Establish repeatable engineering processes for C4 design.
• Support programs in applying the design guidance.
• Store deliverables in Defence Objective records-management system.
• Prepare monthly milestone reports and timesheets.

Skills

OSI reference model

WAN standards

SATCOM

RF systems

Network security

C4 representative architectures

MBSE

DoDAF/NATO Architecture Framework

Digital modelling

Architecture development

System of systems engineering

Tools

DoDAF

NATO Architecture Framework

MBSE tools

Job description

Communications Network Engineer – Routing & Bearers

Eligibility Note

Australian citizenship required. Must have an active Negative Vetting Level 1 (or higher) security clearance.

Location Summary

Location: Canberra (Onsite).

What to Submit

1. A tailored resume in docx format.
2. Individual responses to each selection criterion below (maximum 400 words per criterion).
3. Referee details, which may be included in the resume.

RFQ Details

• RFQ ID: RFQTS 17219
• Agency: Department of Defence – Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group
• Initial Contract Duration:Urgent backfill -Ending 30 June 2027
• Extension Term: Up to 12 months
• Number of Extensions: 2
• Experience Level: Level 3 – Advanced Practitioner or Level 4 – Expert
• Security Clearance: Active Negative Vetting Level 1 minimum; Positive Vetting preferred
• Location of Work: Russell Offices, Canberra, ACT
• Working Arrangements: Fully onsite. The majority of work is performed on the Defence Secret Network, and no component is expected to be delivered remotely. Occasional travel outside the ACT may be required for stakeholder engagement.
• Maximum Hours: Not specified. The expected effort is 220 working days during the initial term. Candidates offering 180–210 days may be considered where they have the appropriate experience and skills.

Job Details

The C4DASI Directorate is seeking an experienced Communications Network Engineer to undertake Routing and Bearers Foundational Design as part of the Joint Force C4 Foundation Design program.

The role will develop logical, functional and physical-level solutions that support Defence information exchange across the Integrated Force and with coalition partners. These solutions will contribute to tangible C4 design architectures and technical-interoperability options for the Joint Force in the 2029–2033 epoch.

Working within the Foundational Design team, the engineer will focus on Joint Force C4 systems of systems and the development of wide area network and communications-system requirements. The role spans two layers of the C4 Representative Architecture:

1. Routing – network and transport development, security, protocols and standards.
2. Bearers – satellite and radio-frequency technologies used in a military context.

This is one full-time work package. Multiple candidate options may be proposed and assessed independently, but combinations of part-time contractors will not be accepted.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop innovative Foundational C4 Design guidance to improve information exchange and technical integration across the Integrated Force.
• Apply expert routing and bearer knowledge to Joint mission designs and mission threads, including Electromagnetic Manoeuvre Warfare, Multi-Domain Strike, Undersea Warfare and Integrated Air and Missile Defence.
• Lead the review and updating of Foundational Design C4 design guidance.
• Build logical, functional and physical-level C4 architecture solutions.
• Develop Joint Force wide area network and communications-system requirements.
• Develop systems-of-systems visualisations using digital modelling tools.
• Apply systems-engineering processes and mission-engineering thread methodologies to C4 design.
• Collaborate with Group and Service stakeholders to develop force-integration design artefacts.
• Support Foundational Design submissions and briefs for senior committees.
• Contribute to C4 Design Working Group and Information Environment Control Board activities, capability-gate reviews and investment committees.
• Recommend improvements to methods, processes and repositories used to collate C4 design guidance.
• Collaborate with the standards team to formalise design guidance into standards profiles.
• Develop architecture views and data visualisations describing “As Is” and “To Be” architectures.
• Apply Model Based Systems Engineering at classifications up to Secret.
• Establish repeatable engineering processes for C4 design.
• Support key programs and projects in developing and applying the design guidance.
• Store detailed deliverables in the Defence Objective records-management system.
• Prepare monthly milestone reports covering completed deliverables, work effort and planned leave.
• Complete and maintain timesheets recording the effort provided against each monthly milestone deliverable.

Technical Skills

• Communications network engineering
• Open Systems Interconnection reference model
• Transport, network, data-link and physical layers
• Wide Area Network standards and protocols
• Routing and bearer technologies
• Satellite communications
• Radio-frequency systems
• Network security, protocols and standards
• Joint Force C4 systems of systems
• C4 representative architectures
• DoDAF and NATO Architecture Framework
• Enterprise and solution architecture
• Model Based Systems Engineering
• Mission engineering and mission-thread methodologies
• Logical, functional and physical architecture development
• Digital modelling and systems visualisation
• “As Is” and “To Be” architecture views
• Defence capability development and sustainment
• Defence writing standards
• Technical interoperability across integrated and coalition environments

About the Directorate

The Command, Control, Computers and Communication Design and Autonomous Systems Integration Directorate supports the C4ISR Design Authority in designing and assuring the C4 and technical interoperability of the Joint Force.

The Directorate develops design guidance, standards profiles, architecture and project-assurance products, and briefs for senior decision-makers. Its work is underpinned by systems engineering and Model Based Systems Engineering.

The Directorate also supports the Joint Force Integrator for Autonomous Systems and Teaming by providing design guidance and assurance for autonomous systems and artificial‑intelligence technologies.

Selection Criteria

Each response must not exceed 400 words.

Essential Criteria

1. Understanding/experience in Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model with particular expertise and demonstrable experience in transport through to physical layers. Specifically an understanding of Wide Area Network (WAN) standards and protocols and SATCOM and RF systems technologies.
2. Understanding/experience in ICT architectural views including DoDAF/NATO Architecture Framework, enterprise and solution architectures.

Highly Desirable Criteria

1. Experience in Defence capability development and/or sustainment activities.
2. Possess and exhibit personable, collaborative and team‑focused approaches and demonstrable stakeholder engagement skills.
3. Experience in C4 Systems of Systems Engineering and/or Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).

Desirable Criteria

1. Familiarity with Defence writing standard.

Why choose Pinaka

We know the government ICT market and we keep things straightforward. We take time to understand your background, your goals and the type of role that suits you. We believe transparency is about more than rates and our margins are fair and always disclosed.

What you can expect from us...

1. Fair, disclosed margins
2. Clear communication at every stage
3. Honest advice on fit and competitiveness
4. Visibility on submissions and process status
5. A professional and respectful experience

How you are paid...

You choose what's best for you.

1. PAYG through Pinaka
2. Third‑party payroll
3. Self‑employed (own ABN)
   With a single, transparent and fixed margin, we ensure compliance to all state and payroll laws. So that is one less thing for you to worry about.

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