Lead Engineer

Cubic Corporation; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Cubic Corporation is seeking a Lead Engineer to provide technical leadership for mission-critical enterprise systems within Defence environments. The role focuses on system architecture, design assurance, integration oversight, and governance across the system lifecycle.

The incumbent will lead engineering teams, drive risk management, and ensure delivery against Defence standards, with knowledge transfer to Australian teams and potential engagement with customers and partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years' experience in systems engineering, enterprise ICT systems, or complex Defence environments.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a supervisor/leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in design, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems.
• Strong understanding of engineering lifecycle management, enterprise architectures, integration, verification and validation, and technical governance within Defence or mission‑critical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage technical risk across complex programs.
• Experience leading engineering teams and providing technical direction within multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 Security Clearance.
• Desired: Experience within Australian Defence programs and classified environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for a mission-critical enterprise system, providing leadership across architecture, design assurance, integration, and technical governance activities.
• Build, lead, and scale high-performing systems engineering teams, including driving performance through KPIs.
• Develop, review, and approve system architectures, ensuring alignment with operational requirements, security objectives, usability needs, scalability considerations, and Defence standards.
• Lead system integration activities, ensuring effective interoperability between hardware, software, networks, and supporting infrastructure.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the system lifecycle, implementing mitigation strategies and escalation pathways.
• Oversee verification and validation activities to ensure system performance, compliance, and operational readiness.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineering teams, supporting capability development and knowledge transfer to Australian personnel.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues and support program delivery objectives.
• Support bid activities, customer engagement, and strategic partnerships at a senior level.
• Contribute to engineering processes, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system quality, reliability, and maintainability.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Risk management

Communication

NV2 clearance

Security governance

Architecture guidance

Tools

TOGAF

ArchiMate

Systems engineering tools

Job description

Business Unit: Cubic Defense

Company Details: When you join Cubic, you become part of a company that creates and delivers technology solutions in transportation to make people’s lives easier by simplifying their daily journeys, and defense capabilities to help promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. Led by our talented teams around the world, Cubic is committed to solving global issues through innovation and service to our customers and partners. We have a top-tier portfolio of businesses, including Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Cubic Defense (CD). Explore more on Cubic.com.

Job Summary

The Lead Engineer provides technical leadership for complex, mission‑critical enterprise systems operating within Defence and secure government environments. The role is responsible for system architecture, design assurance, integration oversight, technical governance, and risk management across the system lifecycle. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Lead Engineer evaluates complex technical and operational challenges, determines appropriate engineering approaches, and ensures delivery outcomes align with organisational objectives, customer requirements, and Defence standards. The position provides leadership and guidance to engineering teams, influences technical decision‑making, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to achieve successful program outcomes. A key focus of the role is ensuring effective knowledge transfer and capability development within Australian engineering teams. Security Clearance Requirement: NV2 (minimum)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for a mission‑critical enterprise system, providing leadership across architecture, design assurance, integration, and technical governance activities.
• Build, lead, and scale high‑performing systems engineering teams, including driving performance through KPIs
• Develop, review, and approve system architectures, ensuring alignment with operational requirements, security objectives, usability needs, scalability considerations, and Defence standards.
• Lead system integration activities, ensuring effective interoperability between hardware, software, networks, and supporting infrastructure.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the system lifecycle, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and escalation pathways.
• Oversee verification and validation activities to ensure system performance, compliance, and operational readiness.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineering teams, supporting capability development and knowledge transfer to Australian engineering personnel.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues and support program delivery objectives.
• Support bid activities, customer engagement, and strategic partnerships at a senior level.
• Contribute to engineering processes, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system quality, reliability, and maintainability.

Background and Experience

• Minimum 8 years' experience in systems engineering, enterprise ICT systems, or complex Defence environments.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in a supervisor/leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems.
• Strong understanding of engineering lifecycle management, enterprise system architectures, integration, verification and validation, and technical governance within Defence or mission‑critical environments.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage technical risk across complex programs.
• Experience leading engineering teams and providing technical direction within multidisciplinary environments.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 Security Clearance.
• Desirable Experience working within Australian Defence programs and classified environments.
• Familiarity with Defence systems engineering frameworks, standards, and assurance processes.
• Experience supporting capability transition, sustainment, and knowledge transfer activities.
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, ArchiMate) and systems engineering methodologies.
• Experience contributing to engineering governance, policy development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• INCOSE certification or equivalent professional accreditation.

Worker Type: Employee

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on any protected characteristic under applicable law.

Cubic creates and delivers technology solutions in transportation that make people’s lives easier by simplifying their daily journeys, and defense capabilities that help promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation. Led by our talented teams around the world, Cubic is committed to solving global challenges through innovation and service to our customers and partners. We have a top‑tier portfolio of businesses, including Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Cubic Defense (CD). CTS is an industry‑leading integrator of payment and information solutions and related services for intelligent travel applications. CTS delivers integrated systems for transportation and traffic management, delivering tools for travelers to choose the smartest and easiest way to travel and pay for their journeys, and enabling transportation authorities and agencies to manage demand across the entire transportation network. Cubic Defense provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) solutions, and live, virtual, constructive and game‑based training solutions for both U.S. and Allied Forces. These mission‑inspired capabilities enable assured multi‑domain access; converged digital intelligence; and superior readiness for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. Cubic is proud to have a presence in over 60 countries and employ over 5,000 people worldwide. We are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action‑Employer. We are committed to ensuring a workplace free of discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, military or veteran status, and any other basis protected by applicable law. For more information on Equal Employment please visit: http://www.cubic.com/Careers/Applicant-Help To learn more, visit Cubic.com. Follow us on LinkedIn!