Project Manager - Space Capability

Downer; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Professional development

Great perks

Reservist Leave (up to 20 days)

Job summary

Downer Professional Services (DPS) is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of a significant Defence space capability project in a complex and high-profile environment.

You will provide leadership, governance oversight, stakeholder engagement and decision support to ensure outcomes across scope, schedule, budget, risk and quality, while coordinating with Defence, industry and international partners.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex Defence/government projects.
• Strong governance, scheduling, risk management and reporting skills.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication abilities.
• Experience in Defence or National Security environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project management plans, schedules and budgets.
• Deliver milestones in line with governance, assurance and reporting frameworks.
• Lead acquisition, integration, testing and acceptance activities.
• Manage capability transition to operational service and sustainment planning.
• Build relationships with Defence, industry and international partners.

Skills

Governance

Scheduling

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Project lifecycle

Defence/National Security experience

Education

PRINCE2

PMP

MSP

Job description

Join our Downer Professional Servicesteam and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future.

Shape the Future of Australia's Space Capability

Downer Professional Services (DPS) is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the delivery of a significant Defence space capability project. Working within a complex and high-profile environment, you will be responsible for delivering approved project outcomes across scope, schedule, budget, risk and quality while engaging with a broad range of Defence, industry and international stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a capability that will have a lasting impact on Australia's national security and space domain operations.

About the Role

As the Project Manager, you will apply sound project management practices to drive successful project outcomes from planning through to capability transition. You will provide leadership, governance oversight, stakeholder engagement and decision support, ensuring all activities are delivered in accordance with Defence and organisational requirements.

Working with multidisciplinary teams, you will coordinate acquisition, integration, testing and acceptance activities while maintaining clear communication across senior leadership, project stakeholders and external partners.

• Develop and maintain project management plans, schedules, budget forecasts and performance reporting.
• Deliver project milestones in accordance with approved governance, assurance and reporting frameworks.
• Manage acquisition, integration, testing and acceptance activities required for capability delivery.
• Lead the transition of capability into operational service, including handover and sustainment planning.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with Defence, industry and international partners.

About You

You are a confident and proactive project professional with experience delivering complex projects in Defence, government or other highly regulated environments. You are an effective communicator with strong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to navigate competing priorities while maintaining focus on successful delivery outcomes.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong governance, scheduling, risk management and reporting experience.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience working within Defence or National Security environments.
• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to influence diverse stakeholder groups.
• Relevant project management qualifications (e.g. PRINCE2, PMP, MSP or equivalent) highly regarded.

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain a clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance withInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)requirements may also be an inherent requirement.

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer Professional Services

At Downer Professional Services, we’re not just a workplace - we’re a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country’s only sovereign prime, we’re committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia’s interests.

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer.
• Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post‑service.

You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of allages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.