ISANO System Engineer

Whizdom; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term contract

Extension option 12 months

Defence systems integration work

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Whizdom is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer, Advanced Practitioner, to support ISANO and integration of the Integrated Sensor Architecture across Land domain networks. The role requires developing engineering plans, leading verification activities, and providing technical governance within a complex defence environment.

Minimum postgraduate systems engineering qualifications and substantial experience in military C4 environments are essential.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate systems engineering qualification and significant professional experience in a relevant field.
• Engineering degree or higher postgraduate qualification in Systems/Software/Computer/Electronic/Mechatronic Engineering required.
• Experience in military C4 environments and ability to hold Design Authority.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Stage 2 Systems Engineering Management Plan and Test & Evaluation Master Plan.
• Plan, design, verify, validate, and evaluate complex C4 capabilities and ISA prototyping activities.
• Provide technical authority and governance across ISA integration efforts.
• Coordinate engineering governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Documentation & reporting

Risk management

Education

Postgraduate systems engineering qualification

Engineering degree (4-year) or higher

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a large federal government organisation responsible for delivering nationally significant Defence and Army capability outcomes. The organisation operates in a complex, highly regulated environment and works across engineering, digital integration, technical assurance, governance, and capability development. Its focus is on ensuring current and future Land capabilities are effectively integrated across Army, Joint, and Coalition environments.

About the Role

Our federal government client is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer, Advanced Practitioner, to support the establishment of the Integrated Sensor Architecture National Office, known as ISANO.

The successful candidate will provide specialist systems engineering expertise to support the adoption and integration of the Integrated Sensor Architecture across Land domain tactical networks. The role will contribute to the development of engineering, integration, assurance, governance, and compliance processes and will support a significant ISA prototyping activity.

• Systems Engineering Planning – Develop and maintain the Stage 2 Systems Engineering Management Plan and Test and Evaluation Master Plan, including requirements, needs, and test plans for the prototyping activity
• Test, Evaluation and Assurance – Plan and support requirements, design, test readiness, verification, validation, and operational test and evaluation activities for complex C4 capabilities
• Technical Authority – Exercise delegated technical authority over the development and maintenance of the ISA prototyping activity and support the management of technical decisions
• C4 Systems Integration – Apply systems engineering expertise to the integration of sensors, networks, software, computing, telecommunications, and data standards within complex military environments
• Engineering Governance – Oversee engineering process alignment and governance in accordance with relevant Army, Defence, CASG, and internal engineering policies and frameworks
• Technical Risk Management – Identify, assess, manage, and elevate technical risks that may affect project deliverables, integration outcomes, or broader business objectives
• Stakeholder Engagement – Engage with Defence, engineering, technical, and external stakeholders to understand technology solutions and help shape ISA strategic direction and outcomes
• Reporting and Documentation – Prepare technical artefacts, written advice, presentations, fortnightly project status reports, and monthly project situation reports
• Technical Advice and Leadership – Provide high-level systems engineering advice and technical support to ISANO and other areas of the Land Network Integration Centre as required.

Essential Requirements

Relevant postgraduate systems engineering qualifications and significant professional experience in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electronic Engineering, or the applicable alternative industry experience outlined in the position requirements

• A relevant four-year engineering degree or higher postgraduate qualification in an engineering discipline such as Systems, Software, Computer, Electronic, or Mechatronic Engineering
• Demonstrated systems engineering experience, preferably within a military C4 environment
• Suitable skills, qualifications, and experience to hold and exercise delegated Design Authority
• Experience contributing to complex system requirements, design, integration, test, evaluation, verification, and validation activities
• Strong stakeholder engagement, leadership, written communication, technical reporting, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work effectively within complex, multidisciplinary engineering and ICT teams

Highly Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status with Engineers Australia or an equivalent professional engineering institution
• More than 10 years of experience in the design, build, integration, test, verification, and validation of military C4I systems, networks, and associated software
• Experience with safety-critical software or systems development processes and practices
• Experience providing strategic and high-level advice to senior technical and executive stakeholders on engineering, design, assurance, and technical risk matters
• Knowledge of computing, telecommunications, data storage systems, protocols, and standards
• Experience performing similar duties within Defence, government, or complex industry environments
• Knowledge of Defence Capability System processes, engineering governance, acquisition, sustainment, or Land Worthiness requirements
• Project management experience covering planning, scheduling, risk management, governance, and reporting

Contract: 2 November 2026 to 30 June 2028, with one potential 12-month extension option

Location: Symonston, ACT

Work Environment: Full-time onsite is preferred. Limited remote working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis

Security Requirements

To be eligible for this role, candidates must hold and maintain a minimum current NV1 Security Clearance from the commencement of the contract. The successful candidate may also be required to obtain an NV2 Security Clearance during the engagement. Candidates must be able to comply ITAR requirement.

What is on offer

• Long-term contract through to 30 June 2028
• Potential 12-month extension option
• Opportunity to support a nationally significant Army systems integration initiative
• Work within a highly skilled, multidisciplinary engineering and technical environment
• Opportunity to contribute to C4 systems integration, technical assurance, test and evaluation, and emerging sensor architecture capability
• Competitive remuneration package

We value diversity and welcome applications from Indigenous Australians, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and people living with disability.