Senior Communications Engineer - Woodside Energy

NES Fircroft; Western Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft is seeking a Senior Communications Engineer to lead and support Woodside Energy's operational communications across offshore and onshore assets in Western Australia. The role involves technical leadership, project delivery, and governance to ensure compliant, fit-for-purpose engineering processes.

Perth-based with travel to facilities in WA and Victoria. The ideal candidate has 5–10 years in operational comms, TIC experience, and a degree in electronic/communications engineering.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in operational communications.
• Experience as an Operational Communications TIC or similar.
• Proven ability to deliver and govern complex projects from specification through handover.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and international standards for operational communications systems.
• Experience with RADAR, CCTV, PA/GA, Microwave, Digital/Analogue radio, WAN/LAN, Wi‑Fi, Satellite, SCADA.
• Accredited tertiary qualification in electronic or communications engineering; eligible for Engineers Australia membership and chartered status.

Responsibilities

• Engage with asset engineers, project managers, and internal customers to address operational communication needs.
• Deliver medium to long-term system strategies for maintaining and improving operational communications services.
• Create CAPEX, OPEX and ABEX budgets with a medium to long term lens to support asset system strategies.
• Work with discipline engineers and technical specialists to ensure appropriate expertise is applied to project development and delivery.
• Oversee and benchmark the performance of contractors and service providers, ensuring SLA compliance.
• Liaise with government authorities and professional bodies to maintain compliance with legislation and industry standards.
• Share knowledge and lessons learned within the team to drive continuous improvement.
• Safeguard the production environment by following change control processes and mitigating operational impacts.
• Oversee record management systems and ensure accurate documentation of facilities and processes.

Skills

Operational communications

TIC experience

Project governance

Change control

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Engineers Australia chartered status

Education

Electronic/Communications engineering degree

Tools

RADAR

CCTV

PA/GA

Microwave

Digital/Analogue radio

WAN/LAN

Wi‑Fi

Satellite

SCADA

Job description

We are currently recruiting a Senior Communications Engineer for Woodside Energy starting in January 2027 on a 2-year contract. In this role, the successful candidate will provide technical leadership and support in the design, delivery, and sustainment of Woodside’s operational communications services across offshore and onshore operations. This role includes leading and contributing to operational communications projects, providing engineering expertise to the communications maintenance team, and supporting the Engineering Lead to ensure that engineering processes and governance are fit for purpose and aligned with business needs. This position will be based in Perth, Western Australia and will require periodic travel to Woodside facilities in Western Australia and Victoria including occasional overseas travel.

Full Australian working rights are required to be considered.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining andManufacturingsectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Engage with asset engineers, project managers, and internal customers to understand and address operational communication needs.
• Deliver medium to long-term system strategies for maintaining and improving operational communications services, including late life asset management.
• Creation of CAPEX,OPEX and ABEX budgets with a medium to long term lens to support asset system strategies.
• Work with discipline engineers and technical specialists to ensure appropriate expertise is applied to project development and delivery.
• Oversee and benchmark the performance of contractors and service providers, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements and Woodside standards.
• Liaise with government authorities and professional bodies to maintain compliance with relevant legislation, performance, and industry standards.
• Share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned within the team and across the business to drive continuous improvement.
• Safeguard the production environment by following change control processes and mitigating operational impacts.
• Oversee record management systems and ensure accurate documentation of operational communications facilities and operational processes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic suppliers, demonstrate cost leadership, and make data-driven decisions to maximize shareholder value.

Skills & Experience:

• 5-10 years of experience in operational communications preferably within the energy sector but also including resources.
• Previous experience as an operational communications Technical Integrity Custodian (TIC) or similar will be highly regarded.
• Proven ability to deliver and govern complex operational communications projects, from specification through to handover, including integration, construction, commissioning, and site supervision.
• Strong knowledge of Australian and international standards for operational communications systems, with practical exposure to a wide range of operational communications technologies (e.g. RADAR, CCTV, PA/GA, Microwave, Digital /Analogue radio, WAN/LAN, Wi-Fi, Satellite, SCADA).
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of driving continuous improvement and applying process safety management principles.
• Accredited tertiary qualification in electronic or communications engineering (or equivalent), eligible for Engineers Australia membership and chartered status