Lead Engineer - Expression of Interest

Cubic Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cubic in Canberra is seeking a Lead Engineer to provide technical leadership for mission-critical enterprise systems within Defence and secure government environments. You will own system architecture, design assurance, integration oversight, and governance across the lifecycle, guiding teams and working with stakeholders to meet customer requirements and Defence standards.

The role emphasizes autonomous decision-making, risk management, and knowledge transfer to Australian engineering

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.
• Experience in design, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 Security Clearance.

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

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Defence environments

Risk management

Technical governance

Stakeholder collaboration

Architecture design

Job description

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.

Key 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

About you

• 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
• Experience working within Australian Defence programs and classified environments (desirable)

Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major businesses, Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS), Cubic Global Defense (CGD), and Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS).

CGD is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems, secure communications and networking and highly specialized support services for military and security forces of the U.S. and allied nations.

Vision, Mission & Values

At Cubic, the design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of specialized systems and services is our heritage and our future.

Our Vision

Be the global market leader by winning the customer to accelerate our growth.

Our Mission

We make the world better through innovation, technology solutions and world-class services in defense, security and transportation.

Our Values

To create excellence together, be the best, do the right thing, and deliver superior value and return.

Spot on Ethics

This page is intended to provide an easily accessible location for employees to access important content regarding our business ethics. This content supports our values and supplements our Code of Business Conduct. For more information about Ethics and Compliance at Cubic, please go to our intranet at Cubic Connect / About Cubic / Ethics and Compliance.

Ethics Vignettes

These video vignettes provide brief but important reminders of how we must conduct ourselves and treat others in the workplace. Thank you for taking the time to view.

Leading with Integrity

Have you ever wondered what you would do when presented with a difficult decision?

Watch this video to see if you lead with integrity:

Tone at the Top

Conflicts of Interest

When a conflict arises between an employee’s personal interests and those of Cubic or its customers, serious problems can result

Source: this is an extract from the company’s own website.

Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major businesses, Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS), Cubic Global Defense (CGD), and Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS).

CGD is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems, secure communications and networking and highly specialized support services for military and security forces of the U.S. and allied nations.

Vision, Mission & Values

At Cubic, the design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of specialized systems and services is our heritage and our future.

Our Vision

Be the global market leader by winning the customer to accelerate our growth.

Our Mission

We make the world better through innovation, technology solutions and world-class services in defense, security and transportation.

Our Values

To create excellence together, be the best, do the right thing, and deliver superior value and return.

Spot on Ethics

This page is intended to provide an easily accessible location for employees to access important content regarding our business ethics. This content supports our values and supplements our Code of Business Conduct. For more information about Ethics and Compliance at Cubic, please go to our intranet at Cubic Connect / About Cubic / Ethics and Compliance.

Ethics Vignettes

These video vignettes provide brief but important reminders of how we must conduct ourselves and treat others in the workplace. Thank you for taking the time to view.

Leading with Integrity

Have you ever wondered what you would do when presented with a difficult decision?

Watch this video to see if you lead with integrity:

Tone at the Top

Conflicts of Interest

When a conflict arises between an employee’s personal interests and those of Cubic or its customers, serious problems can result

Source: this is an extract from the company’s own website.