Lead Systems Engineer – Mission-Critical Defence IT

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

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.