Lead Engineer

Austal; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Professional development

Career advancement

Dynamic work environment

Job summary

Austal, based in Cairns, seeks an ECP Lead Engineer to provide technical leadership for Engineering Change Proposals and Management of Change across In-Service Support contracts.

You will lead the ECP engineering function, coordinate stakeholders, ensure governance, and mentor Engineers while supporting sustainment, commercial and warranty activities.

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Naval Architecture engineering.
• RPEQ registration or working towards it is required.
• 5+ years in sustainment, in-service or engineering change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and technical management of ECPs across ISS contracts.
• Coordinate MoC processes and assess impacts (technical, safety, configuration, regulatory).
• Manage ECP pipeline, prioritise tasks and monitor progress for timely delivery.
• Lead investigations and recommendations for modifications, repairs, upgrades and changes.
• Coordinate input from SMEs, design authorities, authorities, suppliers and clients.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Technical risk assessment

Engineering governance

Clear technical communication

Education

Electrical, Mechanical or Naval Architecture degree

RPEQ registration (in progress)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Engineering software

Job description

Based in Cairns, the ECP Lead Engineer reports to the ISS Engineering Lead and provides technical leadership for the development and management of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and associated Management of Change (MoC) activities across Austal’s In-Service Support contracts.

The role leads the ECP engineering function, coordinating engineers and technical stakeholders to ensure proposed changes are appropriately investigated, technically justified, risk assessed, documented, reviewed and progressed through the required engineering governance and approval processes.

The ECP Lead Engineer will work across local ISS contracts, supporting sustainment, commercial and warranty engineering activities. The role will provide technical leadership and mentoring to Engineers and coordinate input from Design Authority, Technical Authorities, SMEs, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders as required.

The position is primarily focused on the engineering definition and governance of changes, including establishing the technical basis for proposed modifications, repairs and improvements. Implementation activities may be supported where required, but the primary responsibility is ensuring the change is appropriately engineered, approved and controlled prior to implementation.

About Austal

Austal isAustralia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Our In-Service Support division provides routine servicing and preventative maintenance through to complex system overhauls. Our maintenance solutions cover the full lifecycle of a vessel. We integrate original design knowledge with operational insights to ensure every intervention is cost-effective and aligned with customer requirements.

Backed by our extensive shipbuilding heritage and international supply chain, our global network ensures fleets remain mission-ready and performing at their highest capability throughout their operational life.

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

• Lead the development and technical management of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) across ISS contracts
• Lead and coordinate the Management of Change (MoC) process for engineering changes, ensuring appropriate technical, safety, configuration, operational and regulatory impacts are identified and addressed
• Manage the ECP pipeline, prioritising work, allocating tasks and monitoring progress to support timely delivery of engineering outcomes
• Lead engineering investigations and develop technically sound recommendations for modifications, repairs, upgrades and other engineering changes
• Define and/or coordinate the engineering basis and scope of proposed changes, including applicable requirements, standards, constraints, interfaces and acceptance criteria
• Coordinate technical input from relevant SMEs, design authorities, technical authorities, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders
• Conduct and/or coordinate technical risk assessments and engineering analysis associated with proposed changes
• Ensure ECPs and associated engineering documentation are technically complete, appropriately reviewed and progressed through the required approval and governance processes
• Develop and manage engineering deviations and concessions where required.
• Prepare and manage Requests for Problem Resolution (RPRs) associated with identified engineering issues and proposed changes
• Coordinate update of CAD drawings, schematics and other engineering documentation associated with ECPs, repair plans and engineering changes
• Ensure configuration, technical records and engineering baselines are appropriately considered and updated as part of the change process
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to Engineers and other ISS Engineering team members
• Support the development and continuous improvement of ECP, MoC and engineering governance processes
• Attend client meetings, vessel inspections, technical investigations and other activities as required to support engineering change development
• Provide clear technical advice to internal and external stakeholders and maintain a strong customer-focused approach
• Demonstrate proactive identification and management of technical, safety, configuration and compliance risks

You’ll Need

• Degree-qualified in a relevant Electrical, Mechanical or Naval Architecture engineering discipline.
• Holds Queensland Professional Engineer (RPEQ) registration or is working towards obtaining RPEQ registration.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in sustainment, in-service or engineering change management, preferably within the Defence or maritime industry
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing engineering change proposals, engineering modifications or management of change activities
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, configuration management and change control processes
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering inputs and working with design authorities, technical authorities, SMEs, suppliers and customers
• Strong capability in technical risk assessment, engineering analysis and complex engineering problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coordinate and mentor engineers and manage competing engineering priorities
• Ability to achieve Austal Level 4 engineering delegation under the applicable delegation of engineering authority
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical matters to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders
• Proficient in Microsoft office and relevant engineering software
• Strong understanding of engineering quality standards, regulatory requirements and compliance obligations
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, engineering integrity, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction
• Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance and a Defence Common Access Card (DCAC)

Why Join Us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Opportunity to lead and influence engineering change across an active vessel fleet
• A supportive and dynamic work environment
• Opportunities for career advancement within our organisation

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.