Defence Project Manager

KBR, Inc.; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place To Work

Flexible working

Competitive salary

Paid parental leave

Income protection

Career development

Job summary

KBR, Inc. in Australia seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead the GWEO Rocket Motor Manufacturing development.

You will drive planning, risk management and governance across Cabinet submissions, business cases & stakeholder engagement to deliver sovereign defence capability. Based in Melbourne or Canberra, this role offers flexibility and exposure to a major national program within Defence; you will coordinate complex activities and provide clear, data-driven decisions to senior

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex projects within Defence, government, engineering, or highly regulated environments.
• Experience supporting capability development, acquisition, or major project delivery activities.
• Strong project management skills including planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management and governance reporting.
• Experience developing or contributing to Cabinet submissions, business cases, briefs, and executive documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of development activities, including studies supporting the Rocket Motor Manufacturing project.
• Develop project plans, schedules, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and lead project meetings, working groups, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Represent the project internally and externally with Defence stakeholders through meetings, workshops, and briefings.
• Lead risk review workshops, maintain risk and issues registers, and provide regular reporting updates.
• Support the development of Business Cases, Cabinet Submissions, Briefs, and Statements of Work.
• Draft, review, and refine high-quality project documentation to support Defence decision-making.
• Analyse rocket motor manufacturing artefacts and working group outcomes to inform project direction.
• Conduct governance and reporting activities, including preparation of inputs for the RMM Director and senior decision makers.
• Provide critical analysis of risks, scope, status, deliverables, and outcomes to support effective program decisions.

Skills

Defence projects

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Governance reporting

Cabinet submissions

Executive communication

Analytical thinking

Job description

At KBR – We do things that matter

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries.

KBR in Australia

With over 65 years working on some of Australia’s largest and most complex projects, KBR has unmatched experience supporting the nation’s critical infrastructure, energy transition and national security priorities. KBR has around 2,000 employees throughout Australia, who are focused on delivering innovative technology and engineering solutions for a safer, more secure and sustainable future.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.

The Opportunity

KBR is seeking an experienced Project Manager to support the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, one of Australia’s most significant Defence capability programs.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead planning, coordination, and delivery activities supporting the Rocket Motor Manufacturing (RMM) Program, helping establish critical sovereign Defence capability and strengthen Australia’s future guided weapons capability.

The successful candidate will provide project management leadership across Gate 0–2 development activities, including studies, business case development, Cabinet submissions, governance reporting, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

This role can be based in either Melbourne or Canberra, providing flexibility for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of development activities, including studies supporting the Rocket Motor Manufacturing project.
• Develop project plans, schedules, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and lead project meetings, working groups, workshops, and stakeholder engagements.
• Represent the project internally and externally with Defence stakeholders through meetings, workshops, and briefings.
• Lead risk review workshops, maintain risk and issues registers, and provide regular reporting updates.
• Support the development of Business Cases, Cabinet Submissions, Briefs, and Statements of Work.
• Draft, review, and refine high-quality project documentation to support Defence decision-making.
• Analyse rocket motor manufacturing artefacts and working group outcomes to inform project direction.
• Conduct governance and reporting activities, including preparation of inputs for the RMM Director and senior decision makers.
• Provide critical analysis of risks, scope, status, deliverables, and outcomes to support effective program decisions.

As The Ideal Candidate You Will Bring

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects within Defence, government, engineering, or highly regulated environments.
• Experience supporting capability development, acquisition, or major project delivery activities.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and governance reporting.
• Experience developing or contributing to Cabinet submissions, business cases, briefs, and executive documentation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex technical information and provide clear recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with Defence processes, governance frameworks, or acquisition programs (highly desirable).
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex environment.
• Minimum AGSVA NV1 Security Clearance and Australian citizenship required to be eligible.

What We Will Offer You

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work
• Flexible working
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews)
• Paid parental leave
• Income protection
• Corporate rewards
• Salary packaging/Novated leasing
• Employee stock purchase plans
• Flu shots, skin checks and discounted private health insurance
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways

Additional Eligibility and Clearance Requirements

Minimum AGSVA NV1 Security Clearance and Australian citizenship required to be eligible. As a Major Service Provider of the Australian Defence Force, an AGSVA security clearance will be required and compliance to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, our hiring decisions are based on the key requirements of each role and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and experiences.