Principal Advisor Seafarer Competency - Engineering

Australian Maritime Safety Authority; Canberra; On-site; AUD 159,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Employer superannuation (15.4%)

Leave entitlements

Parental leave

Wellbeing program

Flexible work from home

Career development

Staff networks

Job summary

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) seeks a Principal Advisor Seafarer Competency - Engineering to lead engineering qualifications, certification and regulatory outcomes for domestic and international vessels.

You will advise on complex engineering cases, develop policy, and collaborate with stakeholders to uphold high-quality regulatory standards across AMSA.

Qualifications

• Engineer Class 1 CofC or engineering degree with STCW knowledge.
• Experience interpreting regulatory frameworks to support decision making.
• Ability to interpret and apply policy and technical guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert engineering leadership to training, assessment and certification of seafarers.
• Develop policy and technical guidance related to engineering competency.
• Lead and conduct engineering examination activities.
• Audit STCW RTOs for quality assurance.
• Prepare briefs and ministerial correspondence on national/international policy.

Skills

Engineer leadership

STCW knowledge

Regulatory frameworks

Oral examination capability

Analytical judgement

Written and verbal communication

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Collaboration across teams

One AMSA values

Education

Engineer Class 1 CofC

Engineering degree

Job description

Principal Advisor Seafarer Competency - Engineering

$187,109 + 15.4% super

Location flexible (any AMSA office)

Ongoing

About AMSA - Work with Purpose

Safe Seas. Clean Seas. Saving Lives.

At Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), every role contributes to our mission to protect lives, support safe maritime operations, and safeguard Australia’s marine environment.

As Australia's national maritime regulator, we coordinate national maritime and aviation search and rescue services, protect Australia's marine environment, and support a safe and resilient maritime industry. Our work is made possible by the expertise of our people across corporate, specialist, digital and operational functions, working together to deliver services nationwide.

With around 500 employees across Australia, AMSA operates in a complex, highly regulated environment and offers meaningful careers with national reach and long-term impact. Learn more at amsa.gov.au.

About the Role

As the Principal Advisor Seafarer Competency - Engineering, you'll provide technical engineering leadership to support the training, assessment and certification of seafarers working on domestic and international vessels.

Reporting to the Head of Seafarer Competency, you'll provide expert technical advice on complex engineering qualification and certification matters, develop policy and technical guidance, and work closely with internal and external stakeholders to support consistent, high-quality regulatory outcomes.

In this role you will:

• Provide expert technical advice on engineering qualifications, certification and competency matters under the Navigation Act and National Law.
• Exercise delegated authority to assess, determine and approve complex engineering qualification and certification cases.
• Lead and conduct engineering examination activities.
• Audit and ensure quality assurance of STCW Registered Training Organisations.
• Develop, review and implement policies, procedures and technical guidance relating to engineering competency standards.
• Prepare briefs, ministerial correspondence and advice on national and international policy matters relating to engineering competency.
• Represent AMSA in meetings, training and industry forums.

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

• An Engineer Class 1 Certificate of Competency or relevant engineering degree, with demonstrated knowledge of STCW requirements and relevant Marine Orders.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply regulatory frameworks, technical standards and requirements to support sound, defensible decision-making.
• Demonstrated competence to conduct oral examinations to the highest grade in the discipline (Engineer Class 1 (Steam and/or Motor)), evidenced by holding a certificate of competency at that grade, where required to support the examination function.
• Strong technical judgement and analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex information and provide practical advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical information clearly and prepare high-quality documentation for a range of audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience developing or reviewing policies, procedures, guidance material or other technical documentation.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across teams and contribute to consistent regulatory outcomes.
• Behaviours aligned with One AMSA values and ways of working.

For further details, please refer to the position description. Information about our terms and conditions of employment are contained in the AMSA Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

What We Offer at AMSA

At AMSA, we support our people to do their best work through:

• Competitive remuneration and salary packaging options
• 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
• Generous leave entitlements with 20 days annual leave plus paid Christmas shutdown
• Paid parental leave with 18 weeks for primary and 11 weeks for secondary carer (increasing to 14 weeks from 1 March 2026)
• Wellbeing focus with health reimbursements, flu vaccinations and an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
• Flexible work including work from home arrangements
• Career development including training, study assistance, paid professional memberships.
• Opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference through AMSA’s staff-led networks

One AMSA: Shaping Our Future Together

One AMSA is our commitment to creating a workplace that is safe, respectful and inclusive - where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to contribute. It shapes how we work together and ensures collaboration, trust, and shared purpose across AMSA.

Contact

For further information about the role, contact John Gates, Head of Seafarer Competency on 0436 431 315 or [e-mail]

AMSA does not engage staff under the Public Service Act 1999. AMSA engages employees under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 and our remuneration arrangements are specific to AMSA.