Senior Systems Engineer - (Communications)

KBR; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place To Work

Flexible working

Competitive salary

Income protection

Career development

Job summary

KBR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer specializing in Communications to support Defence capability programs in Australia. You will provide technical leadership, governance, and expert communications engineering across complex defence systems, ensuring capability readiness and regulatory compliance.

Working with Commonwealth stakeholders and industry partners, you will mentor engineers and deliver engineering activities for sustainment and enhancement of critical communications capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree recognised under the Washington Accord.
• Experience supporting Defence communications systems and RF communications.
• Strong governance, risk management and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist communications engineering advice and technical leadership.
• Conduct complex engineering assessments, reviews and analysis.
• Assess technical and design packages with recommendations and support.
• Identify engineering risks and contribute to planning decisions.
• Ensure Defence materiel systems meet endorsed requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Mentor developing engineers within the team.
• Build stakeholder relationships across Defence and industry.

Skills

Communications engineering

Systems engineering

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Engineering governance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Communications, RF, Electrical or Systems Engineering)

Job description

Senior Systems Engineer - (Communications)

At KBR, we deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 85 countries and operations in over 28 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results.

Trinzic is the future independent company to be created through the planned spin-off of KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business, expected in January 2027. Our people work at the frontier of what is possible, delivering solutions in challenging environments and advancing some of the world's highest-priority national security and space missions.

Backed by decades of mission success, deep expertise, and trusted partnerships, Trinzic will launch as a global organization with more than 18,000 employees supporting customers around the world. Join us at a defining moment and help shape the future of a company built to tackle complex challenges and make a meaningful impact.

Candidates who join KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business before the spin-off will transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete and will not need to reapply for employment.

Think.KBR.com

KBR in Australia

With over 65 years working on some of Australia’s largest and most complex projects, KBR has unmatched experience supporting the nation’s critical infrastructure, energy transition and national security priorities. KBR has around 2,000 employees throughout Australia, who are focused on delivering innovative technology and engineering solutions for a safer, more secure and sustainable future.

Learn more about KBR in Australia

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Communications Engineer looking to contribute to critical Defence capabilities?

We're seeking a Senior Systems Engineer specialising in Communications to support the sustainment and ongoing engineering assurance of key Defence communication systems within a major Land Capability program. Working within a highly collaborative engineering environment, you'll provide technical leadership, engineering governance, and specialist communications expertise to ensure capability readiness and operational success.

Reporting to the Sustainment Manager, you will be responsible for delivering complex engineering activities that support the sustainment and enhancement of Defence communication capabilities. This role will see you working closely with Commonwealth stakeholders, industry partners, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to assess technical solutions, manage engineering risks, and ensure compliance with Defence regulatory frameworks.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in sustaining mission-critical Defence communication capabilities while working alongside some of Australia's leading Defence engineering professionals. If you're passionate about systems engineering, communications technology, and delivering outcomes that matter, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist communications engineering advice and technical leadership.
• Conduct complex engineering assessments, reviews, and analysis activities.
• Assess technical and design packages, providing recommendations and implementation support.
• Identify engineering risks and contribute to informed decision‑making and planning.
• Ensure Defence materiel systems meet endorsed requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Exercise assigned engineering authority and technical delegations.
• Support safety, compliance, and assurance activities across communications systems.
• Mentor and guide developing engineers within the team.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across Defence and industry environments.
• Contribute to the planning and management of engineering workflows, resources, and deliverables.

As The Ideal Candidate You Will

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Communications, RF, Electrical or Systems Engineering) recognised under the Washington Accord.
• Registered Professional Engineer (RPEV) within Electrical Engineering or ability to demonstrate equivalent professional standing.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Defence communications systems, RF communications, systems engineering, or sustainment programs.
• Strong understanding of engineering governance, technical risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

All candidates will be required to hold and maintain an active NV1 Defence Security Clearance.

Only candidates holding a NV1 Clearance or above should apply.

What We Will Offer You

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work
• Flexible working
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews)
• Paid parental leave
• Income protection
• Corporate rewards
• Salary packaging/Novated leasing
• Employee stock purchase plans
• Flu shots, skin checks and discounted private health insurance
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways

Please note. Shortlisting will take place as applications are received; therefore, the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

As a Major Service Provider of the Australian Defence Force, an AGSVA security clearance will be required and compliance to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, our hiring decisions are based on the key requirements of each role and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and experiences.

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.