Project Engineer – Defence Projects

Hofmann Engineering; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hofmann Engineering is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to join our Cheltenham team. This hands-on role balances workshop floor engagement with office planning, coordinating people, suppliers, production activities and customer requirements to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and to the required quality standards.

You will work with Production, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain and external suppliers to ensure everyone understands what needs to be delivered,

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, heavy industry, defence or aerospace environments.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Experience coordinating suppliers, subcontractors and internal production teams.
• Strong attention to detail around quality and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate engineering and manufacturing activities across Defence projects.
• Establish production priorities, quality requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor progress and identify delays, quality issues and resource constraints.
• Coordinate with Production Supervisors and Workshop personnel to resolve issues.
• Ensure documentation and records are maintained and compliant.

Skills

Project coordination

Drawing interpretation

Supplier coordination

Communication

Quality focus

Deadline management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Hofmann Engineering is continuing to grow its capability in the Australian Defence sector, delivering high-quality engineered components and assemblies for critical defence programs.

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to join our team at Cheltenham. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys being equally comfortable on the workshop floor and in the office, coordinating people, suppliers, production activities and customer requirements to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and to the required quality standards.

As Project Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring defence projects progress efficiently from order through to completion.

You will work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain and external suppliers to ensure everyone understands what needs to be delivered, when it is required and to what standard.

A significant part of the role will involve being visible and engaged on the workshop floor - understanding the practical challenges of manufacturing, identifying potential delays early and working with the team to keep production moving.

The Opportunity

Hofmann Engineering is continuing to grow its capability in the Australian Defence sector, delivering high-quality engineered components and assemblies for critical defence programs.

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to join our team at Cheltenham. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who enjoys being equally comfortable on the workshop floor and in the office, coordinating people, suppliers, production activities and customer requirements to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and to the required quality standards.

As Project Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring defence projects progress efficiently from order through to completion.

You will work closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain and external suppliers to ensure everyone understands what needs to be delivered, when it is required and to what standard.

A significant part of the role will involve being visible and engaged on the workshop floor - understanding the practical challenges of manufacturing, identifying potential delays early and working with the team to keep production moving.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate engineering and manufacturing activities across assigned Defence projects.
• Establish and communicate production priorities, quality requirements and project deadlines.
• Maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor project progress and identify potential delays, quality issues and resource constraints before they impact delivery.
• Work closely with Production Supervisors and Workshop personnel to resolve practical manufacturing issues.
• Ensure engineering requirements, drawings, specifications and customer requirements are clearly understood by the production team.
• Coordinate with Procurement and Supply Chain to ensure materials, components and subcontract services are available when required.
• Maintain regular communication with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure ongoing commitments and delivery dates are achieved.
• Expedite critical materials and components where required.
• Liaise with Quality to ensure inspection, testing and documentation requirements are understood and achieved.
• Assist with managing non-conformances and resolving technical or production issues.
• Track project milestones, actions and deliverables and provide clear status updates to stakeholders.
• Support project planning, scheduling, cost control and risk management.
• Ensure appropriate project documentation and records are maintained.
• Work collaboratively across Engineering, Production, Quality and Supply Chain to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Contribute to the continual improvement of project delivery and manufacturing processes.

What We Are Looking For

• A degree or qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience working within a manufacturing, engineering, heavy industry, defence or aerospace environment.
• Strong project coordination and organisational skills.
• The ability to read and understand engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Experience coordinating suppliers, subcontractors and internal production teams.
• A strong understanding of manufacturing processes and the practical challenges associated with delivering complex components.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage with everyone from workshop personnel through to senior management and customers.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly around quality and customer requirements.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under deadlines.
• A proactive approach to identifying problems and finding practical solutions.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.

The Person

This role will suit an engineer who doesn't want to be stuck behind a desk.

You will be someone who enjoys walking into the workshop, talking to the people doing the work, understanding what is happening and taking action when something is not going to plan.

You will be organised, accountable and comfortable challenging issues when required. You will understand that successful project delivery depends on clear communication, early intervention and strong relationships with production teams and suppliers.

Most importantly, you will take ownership of your projects and be committed to delivering the right result for the customer.

Why Join Hofmann Engineering?

• Work on high-profile Australian Defence projects supporting sovereign manufacturing capability.
• Be part of a growing Defence business with exciting future opportunities.
• Work across both engineering and practical manufacturing environments.
• Join a collaborative team where engineering expertise and practical experience are valued.
• Opportunity to develop your project management and technical skills across complex engineering projects.

Join Us

If you are a practical, hands-on Project Engineer who enjoys coordinating people, solving problems and seeing engineering projects successfully delivered on the workshop floor, we would like to hear from you.