Project Manager (Mission Systems)

Southern Launch; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Launch is seeking a Project Manager (Mission Systems) to lead delivery of engineering projects across mission systems, instrumentation, tracking, telemetry and related infrastructure. You will translate requirements into structured delivery plans, coordinate schedules, budgets, procurement, suppliers, risks and integration activities with specialist engineers and infrastructure managers.

You will ensure engineering capabilities and supporting infrastructure are delivered in a

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering projects.
• Ability to translate approved engineering requirements into defined project scopes, deliverables and schedules.
• Strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills to manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage mission systems engineering projects from initiation through delivery and handover.
• Define project scopes, schedules, budgets and acceptance criteria.
• Develop integrated project plans coordinating engineering activities, procurement and milestones.
• Coordinate engineering teams to progress work packages per priorities and delivery commitments.
• Manage procurement activities and supplier relationships for equipment and services.
• Track costs, forecasts, risks and dependencies with clear reporting to stakeholders.
• Coordinate interfaces between mission systems, communications, instrumentation and supporting infrastructure.
• Identify enabling works with Infrastructure Project Managers for site readiness.
• Facilitate reviews, testing, verification and commissioning activities.
• Maintain project documentation, risk registers and governance artefacts throughout delivery lifecycle.

Skills

Project management

Engineering coordination

Stakeholder management

Planning

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Job description

Southern Launch is Australia's leading spaceport operator, building the sovereign capability required to get to space and back.

Headquartered in South Australia, Southern Launch operates two of the nation's leading commercial spaceports, the Koonibba Test Range and the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. Providing orbital and suborbital launch, hypersonic flight, re-entries from space and range services, for commercial, civil and defence customers.

Through regulator-proven, vertically integrated mission services, Southern Launch's unique infrastructure enables direct ascent trajectories to a wide range of orbital inclination. While more than 47,000 square kilometres of secure, remote operating areas support advanced testing and recovery operations.

About the role

The Project Manager (Mission Systems) will lead the coordinated delivery of engineering projects across Southern Launch’s mission systems, instrumentation, tracking, telemetry, communications and associated technical infrastructure.

Reporting to the General Manager – Mission Engineering, you will translate approved engineering requirements into structured delivery plans, coordinating schedules, budgets, procurement, suppliers, risks, dependencies and integration activities. Working closely with specialist engineers and Infrastructure Project Managers, you will ensure engineering capabilities and their supporting physical infrastructure are delivered in a coordinated and operationally effective manner.

The role will provide the project management discipline needed to progress complex technical initiatives while allowing engineering specialists to focus on system architecture, design, integration and technical assurance.

Responsibilities

Manage mission systems engineering projects from initiation and planning through procurement, integration, verification, commissioning and operational handover.

Translate approved capability requirements into defined project scopes, deliverables, schedules, budgets and acceptance criteria.

Develop and maintain integrated project plans that coordinate engineering activities, procurement lead times, supplier deliverables and operational milestones.

Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure technical work packages progress in accordance with agreed priorities and delivery commitments.

Manage procurement activities and supplier relationships for specialist equipment, software, engineering services and technical systems.

Track project costs, forecasts, schedules, risks, issues and dependencies, providing clear reporting and escalation to relevant stakeholders.

Coordinate technical and delivery interfaces between mission systems, communications, instrumentation, software and supporting infrastructure.

Work with Infrastructure Project Managers to identify and sequence enabling works, equipment installation requirements, utilities, communications and site readiness activities.

Facilitate engineering reviews, integration planning and the coordination of system testing, verification, validation and commissioning.

Manage project changes and assess their impact on scope, cost, schedule, technical dependencies and operational acceptance.

Maintain project documentation, decision records, risk registers, action registers and governance artefacts throughout the delivery lifecycle.

Coordinate operational readiness, acceptance and transition activities, ensuring completed systems have appropriate technical documentation, maintenance arrangements and support processes.

Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

Demonstrated experience managing engineering, technology or systems integration projects involving multiple technical disciplines.

Experience developing project schedules, budgets, procurement plans, risk registers and delivery reporting.

Demonstrated ability to coordinate engineers, suppliers and other stakeholders while maintaining accountability for project outcomes.

Understanding of technical integration, testing, verification, commissioning and operational acceptance processes.

Strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and resolve delivery challenges.

Preferred skills and experience

Experience delivering projects involving telecommunications, instrumentation, tracking, telemetry, networks, software or operational technology.

Experience managing projects across multiple sites, complex facilities or geographically distributed technical environments.

Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycles, requirements traceability, configuration management and technical assurance.

Project management qualifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, AIPM certification or equivalent.

Experience with project planning tools, procurement systems, cost tracking and integrated delivery schedules.

Understanding of cybersecurity, communications resilience, system availability or other considerations relevant to mission-critical technology.

Experience coordinating infrastructure and engineering work packages within a common delivery program.

Experience in aerospace, defence, aviation, telecommunications, industrial technology or other technically complex environments.

Security clearance requirements

Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). For more information about security clearance eligibility and the vetting process, visit the AGSVA website.

Southern Launch is made up of industry experts with a diverse range of experience across space and defence.

Southern Launch is made up of industry experts with a diverse range of experience across space and defence.