Systems Engineer

Department of Defence; Canberra; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Defence in Canberra is seeking a capable Systems Engineer to support acquisition, integration and sustainment of radar and air defence capabilities. You will manage requirements, review technical documents, and engage with Defence, industry and operational stakeholders to ensure capability delivery across the life cycle.

The ideal candidate will bring strong systems engineering experience in defence/radar or similar complex environments, with proven skills in requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering from an Australian institution or equivalent recognized by the Washington Accord.
• Security clearance: ability to obtain/maintain NV2.
• Experience in defence/radar or complex engineering environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage requirements and review technical documentation.
• Support integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Identify technical risks and engage with Defence, industry and stakeholders.
• Apply systems engineering across the capability lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Verification and validation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

Job description

The Systems Engineer will support the acquisition, integration and sustainment of advanced radar and air defence capabilities. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the role involves managing requirements, reviewing technical documentation, supporting integration and verification activities, identifying technical risks and engaging with Defence, industry and operational stakeholders. The successful applicant will apply systems engineering principles to support capability delivery across the lifecycle.

The ideal candidate is a motivated and analytical engineer with experience in Defence, aerospace, radar, communications or other complex engineering environments. They will be comfortable engaging with both technical specialists and senior stakeholders and possess strong problem solving, communication and stakeholder management skills. Experience in systems integration, requirements management, verification and validation and technical risk management will be highly regarded.

About our Team

The Active Electronically Scanned Array Systems Program Office (AESA SPO) Engineering and Technical (E&T) team provides engineering, technical and systems integration assurance supporting the acquisition, sustainment and evolution of CEA Phase Array Radar (CEAFAR) capabilities for Commonwealth and international customers. The team is responsible for maintaining technical oversight of new and in-service systems, ensuring delivered capabilities meet customer, operational and regulatory requirements throughout the capability lifecycle. This includes requirements management, systems engineering, technical risk management, verification and validation, configuration control, and support to integration activities involving radar, command and control, and wider mission systems.

The E&T function leverages objective quality evidence (OQE), lessons learned, and engineering knowledge gained from previously delivered CEAFAR systems to inform decision-making, reduce technical risk, and support capability delivery. Through close engagement with industry, Defence stakeholders and operational users, the team helps ensure CEAFAR systems remain effective, interoperable and supportable throughout their service life.

The Role

The Systems Engineer will support the acquisition, integration and sustainment of advanced radar and air defence capabilities. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the role involves managing requirements, reviewing technical documentation, supporting integration and verification activities, identifying technical risks and engaging with Defence, industry and operational stakeholders. The successful applicant will apply systems engineering principles to support capability delivery across the lifecycle.

The ideal candidate is a motivated and analytical engineer with experience in Defence, aerospace, radar, communications or other complex engineering environments. They will be comfortable engaging with both technical specialists and senior stakeholders and possess strong problem solving, communication and stakeholder management skills. Experience in systems integration, requirements management, verification and validation and technical risk management will be highly regarded.

About our Team

The Active Electronically Scanned Array Systems Program Office (AESA SPO) Engineering and Technical (E&T) team provides engineering, technical and systems integration assurance supporting the acquisition, sustainment and evolution of CEA Phase Array Radar (CEAFAR) capabilities for Commonwealth and international customers. The team is responsible for maintaining technical oversight of new and in-service systems, ensuring delivered capabilities meet customer, operational and regulatory requirements throughout the capability lifecycle. This includes requirements management, systems engineering, technical risk management, verification and validation, configuration control, and support to integration activities involving radar, command and control, and wider mission systems.

The E&T function leverages objective quality evidence (OQE), lessons learned, and engineering knowledge gained from previously delivered CEAFAR systems to inform decision-making, reduce technical risk, and support capability delivery. Through close engagement with industry, Defence stakeholders and operational users, the team helps ensure CEAFAR systems remain effective, interoperable and supportable throughout their service life.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a motivated and adaptable Systems Engineer with experience in Defence, C2, EW, radar or other complex engineering environments. The ideal candidate will possess a sound understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements management, integration, verification and validation and technical risk management. They will demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving skills, initiative and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Experience supporting the acquisition, integration or sustainment of mission critical systems, particularly within radar, command and control, sensor integration or air defence domains, will be highly regarded. The successful applicant will be collaborative, outcomes focused and committed to delivering high quality engineering solutions.

Eligibility

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Mandatory Qualifications

A role in this engineering occupation requires a Bachelor of Engineering from an Australian institution, or a qualification gained elsewhere, that satisfies the requirements of the Washington Accord for recognition as a Professional Engineer.

Eligibility

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 2”.

Mandatory Qualifications

A role in this engineering occupation requires a Bachelor of Engineering from an Australian institution, or a qualification gained elsewhere, that satisfies the requirements of the Washington Accord for recognition as a Professional Engineer.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers