Strategic Principal Scientist, Disruptive Tech

Arkeus; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Internship program connections

Job summary

Arkeus is seeking a Principal Scientist to provide deep technical leadership across disruptive technologies. You will work with engineers, scientists, product leaders and defence customers to identify opportunities, test hypotheses and turn research into scalable systems.

The role requires strategic direction and hands-on technical depth, guiding experiments, solving difficult problems and translating complex science into practical engineering outcomes.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced technical expertise.
• Significant experience in advanced R&D, applied science or deep-tech product development.
• Track record: concept → experiment → prototype → operational capability.
• Deep expertise in Physics, Optics, Electromagnetics, Signal processing, AI/ML, Control/autonomy.
• Experience in defence, aerospace or national security environments (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the scientific roadmap for disruption technologies and capabilities.
• Identify emerging technologies and research opportunities for operational advantage.
• Develop and test novel concepts through modelling, experimentation, prototyping and field trials.
• Translate complex scientific problems into practical engineering challenges and deliverable outcomes.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to transition research concepts into robust, deployable technology.
• Engage with defence customers, research organisations, universities and industry partners.
• Define experiments and demonstrations that rapidly validate ideas.

Skills

Advanced R&D

Concept to deployment

Physics

Optics

Electromagnetics

Signal processing

AI/ML

Control systems

Electronic warfare

Materials

Communication

Collaboration

Defence experience

Education

PhD or equivalent advanced expertise

Tools

None

Job description

Arkeus is seeking a Principal Scientist to provide deep technical leadership across disruptive technologies. You will work with engineers, scientists, product leaders and defence customers to identify opportunities, test hypotheses and turn research into scalable systems.

The role requires strategic direction and hands-on technical depth, guiding experiments, solving difficult problems and translating complex science into practical engineering outcomes.