Principal Systems Engineer - Defence

Mott MacDonald; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile working environment

Insurance (life, personal accident, &

Inclusive networks & professional orgs

Professional development & health

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Adelaide is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the Systems Engineering & Integration team in defence projects. You will shape approaches, manage risk, and deliver evidence for assurance and operational readiness spanning GWEO and ANI work.

You will collaborate with national and global specialists, contribute to proposals, and mentor teams while sustaining credibility with clients across programs and lifecycle stages.

Qualifications

• A degree in engineering, science or another relevant discipline with substantial defence systems experience.
• Deep expertise in systems engineering, integration, test, assurance, safety or operational readiness.
• Proven track record leading significant technical work and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to translate systems engineering into practical outcomes for program delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical work packages and multidisciplinary engagements.
• Shape systems engineering approaches rather than simply inheriting them.
• Provide independent, practical advice to senior clients and stakeholders.
• Work across defence programs and lifecycle stages.
• Contribute to proposals, client relationships and growth of defence business.
• Collaborate with national and global specialists.

Skills

Systems engineering

Integration

Test

Assurance

Safety

Operational readiness

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Tools

MBSE

Digital engineering

Requirements-management tools

Job description

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Brilliant people trusted to do brilliant things

Mott MacDonald is a vibrant and forward-thinking engineering, management, and development consultancy. Working together as a global team we plan, design, deliver and maintain the complex systems, assets and infrastructure that are integral to people's daily lives. We value excellence in every dimension of our business and continuously seek opportunities to improve what we do and how we do it.

We employ brilliant people who combine their diverse skills and experiences to achievebrilliantthings. Whether you want to specialise or broaden your experience,you'llbe supported by global specialists eager to share theirexpertise. Withnumerousopportunities to learn and grow, the possibilities are as diverse as our people. Working as a connected global team, we deliver impactful projects that shape the future.

The opportunity

We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to become one of the first senior technical anchors in our growing Adelaide Systems Engineering & Integration team.

You will initially contribute to Mott MacDonald’s existing defence work supporting Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) and Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI). This provides immediate, substantive work and a strong connection into our national defence practice, but it is the starting point, not the limit of the role.

The broader opportunity is to apply your experience across different defence problems and lifecycle stages. You will help clients define capability needs, shape systems engineering and integration strategies, manage complex interfaces and technical risk, and develop the evidence needed to support assurance, acceptance and operational outcomes.

As a Principal Systems Engineer, you will:

• Shape systems engineering approaches rather than simply inherit them.
• Lead technical work packages and multidisciplinary engagements.
• Provide independent, practical advice to senior client and project stakeholders.
• Work across different defence programs, technical challenges and lifecycle stages.
• Contribute to proposals, client relationships and the growth of our defence business.
• Collaborate with national and global specialists whose expertise complements your own.

We value deep expertise in one or more areas, including requirements, architecture, interfaces, integration, verification and validation, test and evaluation, assurance, safety, acceptance or operational readiness. You are not expected to cover everything. We are building a complementary team and want you to bring depth, judgement and the ability to connect your expertise to the wider system and client outcome.

This is an opportunity to remain technically influential while broadening your career across projects, clients, advisory leadership and team development.

About you

You are an experienced defence systems engineering professional ready to operate with greater independence, influence and accountability.You will bring:

• A degree in engineering, science or another relevant discipline, supported by substantial experience in complex defence systems, programs or capability environments.
• Deep expertise in one or more systems engineering, integration, test, assurance, safety or operational readiness disciplines.
• A record of leading significant technical work, multidisciplinary teams or engineering work packages.
• The ability to translate systems engineering into practical outcomes for program delivery, technical risk and operational capability.
• Credibility with clients and confidence communicating complex issues to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to influence across technical, organisational and program boundaries.
• An Australian Government Security Clearance, or eligibility to obtain one.

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

• Experience in client side, advisory, capability acquisition or technical assurance roles.
• Experience with recognised systems engineering standards, MBSE, digital engineering or requirements-management tools.
• Membership of INCOSE, SESA, Engineers Australia or another relevant professional association.
• Chartered status or INCOSE certification.

Mott MacDonald celebrates diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive work environment that values work-life balance, diversity, inclusion, and equity. We welcome diverse applicants, including First Nations People, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of all genders, neurodiversity, cultural backgrounds, age groups, and those with intersectional identities.

Our benefits package is designed to enhance your experience:

• Agile working environment, supporting our people to work flexibly
• Life, personal accident, and salary continuance insurance
• Employee resource groups including the Inclusive Network for Women, Corporate Social Responsibility and more
• Annual Health Checks and ongoing professional development

You’ve got this!

We endorse a diverse and inclusive workplace, and look to provide suitable opportunities for employees including the opportunity for part time and job shared roles where possible. If you are interested in this role and looking for a part time permanent opportunity,