Manager Technology Evaluation and Assurance

South East Water; Frankston; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Flexible work arrangements

Employee well-being programs

Onsite facilities and cafe

Job summary

South East Water, based in Victoria, seeks an experienced Manager Technology Evaluation and Assurance to lead our Operational Technology evaluation and assurance efforts. You will drive validation, testing, and transition of new technologies into operations, improving reliability, safety, and asset performance.

You will guide engineering teams, manage pilots and innovation portfolios, and foster strong supplier relationships while aligning technology priorities with enterprise strategy.

Qualifications

• Experience in technology evaluation, product development, testing and assurance.
• Ability to translate technical findings into business recommendations.
• Experience managing pilots and innovation portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation and validation of new technologies for operational use to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Develop business cases, pilots and roadmaps aligned to strategic outcomes.
• Manage supplier relationships and project governance to deliver technology value.

Skills

Device testing methodologies

Test automation

Sensors & telemetry

OT/industrial control systems

Vendor management

Analytical problem solving

Budget & business cases

LPWAN technologies

Education

Engineering degree or related discipline

Tools

Test automation frameworks

Automated test systems

Job description

Who are we?

We’re here to help people live well and create a better and more sustainable future. We support healthy and liveable communities by delivering water, sewerage and recycled water services to 1.77 million people who rely on us every day and every night. At South East Water, we innovate with purpose and act with care to deliver healthy water for life. Fresh thinking and collaboration are at the heart of our organisation. We are constantly learning, embracing the challenges of today and excited by the opportunities that tomorrow will bring.

The role

We’re looking for an experienced technical leader to join our Operational Technology team as Manager Technology Evaluation and Assurance, part of the Enterprise Transformation and Delivery group.

Combining technical expertise, people leadership and strong supplier relationships, this role will play an important part in delivering our technology priorities and supporting South East Water’s broader strategic outcomes.

The role ensures innovative technologies are rigorously assessed, validated and transitioned into operational use to improve reliability, efficiency, safety, customer outcomes and asset performance across the water utility.

Who are you?

You’re an experienced technology professional with a background in technology evaluation, product development, testing and assurance, or applied research, with demonstrated experience leading technical and engineering professionals.

You'll Bring

• Strong knowledge of device testing methodologies, verification and validation processes and quality assurance principles.
• Experience designing, implementing or managing automated test systems and test automation frameworks for hardware, firmware and software.
• Understanding of sensors, telemetry, industrial control systems, operational technologies and digital solutions used within utility or infrastructure environments.
• Strong project, stakeholder and vendor management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical, investigation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into business recommendations.
• Experience managing budgets, business cases, pilot programs and innovation portfolios.
• Experience with LPWAN technologies and devices operating in cellular networks is highly advantageous.

A tertiary qualification in Engineering, Mechatronics, Electronics, Instrumentation, Computer Systems, Technology Management or related discipline would be well suited to the role. We also welcome candidates with equivalent industry experience in a relevant technical field.

What's in it for you?

Working at South East Water means you can enjoy a wealth of benefits, starting with the chance to be part of an organisation deeply committed to environmental initiatives and sustainability; one who has been recognised as one of the top 101 Workplaces for Women in Australia by Work180 for the past two consecutive years and a 2026 Finalist in the Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards ‘Flexible Working’ category.

Benefits

South East Water cultivates a dynamic culture that emphasises collaboration and strong work ethics, supported by career-focused learning and development opportunities. As a SEW employee, you can enjoy the following offerings from our benefits package:

• Access to My Fitness Passport, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), annual flu shots, and health checks.
• Work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options and leave purchasing.
• Additional leave offerings, such as cultural and ceremonial leave and study leave.
• Head office with modern facilities and panoramic beachfront views, a separate parents’ room, a prayer and meditation room and an onsite cafe.
• Limited free onsite and offsite car parking available, as well as pay-as-you-go parking options nearby.
• Opportunity to be part of great initiatives involving the local community.

We're for everyone

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. It makes us better learners, thinkers and collaborators, helping create better outcomes for our customers.

We are deeply committed to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ individuals, people with disability and jobseekers of all ages and cultures. We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible workplace where everyone is welcome, safe, and celebrated. If you need any help with the application process or would like to discuss your reasonable adjustments during interviews, please reach out to our Talent team at [e-mail].

To be considered for this opportunity, you must hold unrestricted working rights for the period of employment at the time of application.

Successful candidates will also be required to undergo a number of pre-employment checks, including a police records check.

South East Water operates a 24/7 service environment. Whilst this role does not involve after-hours rostered duty, all employees may be required to provide out of hours support from time to time as required.

Visit southeastwater.com.au to learn more about us and how we serve our customers.