Systems Engineer

Geoscience Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Geoscience Australia is seeking two Systems Engineers for the SouthPAN project to work with a prime systems integrator and project team. The role involves eliciting stakeholder needs, maintaining customer requirements, and participating in technical reviews to ensure successful integration of engineering specialties.

You will develop engineering processes, oversee verification and validation activities, and communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

Qualifications

• Experience applying systems engineering principles in a complex project environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication, able to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor others in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on systems engineering and technical assurance for assigned components of the SouthPAN capability.
• Translate high-level project goals into structured engineering tasks for a small team or external partners and oversee progress.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, protocols and documentation.
• Conduct quality assurance, verification and validation activities, including analysis of complex technical data.
• Manage and report on specialist risks and issues, escalating when appropriate.
• Coordinate technical testing and participate in reviews with the prime systems integrator.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Systems engineering

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

GNSS

SBAS

Digital signal processing

Job description

Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision‑making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity. Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real‑world impact. We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people.

Our team

The Australian and New Zealand Governments are collaborating on a project to deliver improved position, navigation, and timing services across both countries with a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) capability. Named the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), the regional SBAS capability will be utilised by a broad range of industry sectors, including transport, resources, agriculture, spatial, and utilities. The SouthPAN project is a joint undertaking between Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand and the project team comprises people from both organisations. The project will work with the prime systems integrator, providing government furnished elements and evidence of oversight and assurance during the establishment phase. Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand will continue to work with the prime following the completion of the project to maintain and improve the SBAS capability over its 15-year sustainment period. More information is available on www.ga.gov.au/southpan.

The role

We have an opportunity for two Systems Engineers in the SouthPAN project team. The Systems Engineer is responsible for working with a prime systems integrator and the project team to elicit stakeholder needs and expectations, develop and maintain customer requirements, participate in technical reviews, ensure the effective integration of engineering specialties, participate in verification & validation activities, and develop engineering processes and procedures.

In this role you will

• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance on systems engineering and technical assurance for assigned components of the SouthPAN capability.
• Translate high-level project goals into structured engineering tasks and activities for a small specialist team or external partners, and oversee their progress to meet quality and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, protocols and documentation, ensuring alignment with relevant frameworks and contractual requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance, verification and validation activities, including analysis of complex technical data.
• Manage and report on specialist risks and issues, escalating when appropriate.
• Coordinate technical testing and participate in reviews with the prime systems integrator, ensuring government assurance obligations are met.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, anticipating and responding to needs to achieve project outcomes.
• Prepare clear and accurate technical documentation, reports and briefings to support decision‑making.
• Maintain professional expertise and contribute to continuous improvement within your area of technical responsibility.

To be successful in the role you will

• Ability to lead and coordinate technical activities, ensuring compliance with relevant engineering standards within agreed parameters.
• Ability to anticipate and resolve complex technical issues, identifying innovative solutions within scope and authority.Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including managing expectations and negotiating outcomes to achieve project goals.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Commitment to professional development, continuous learning and fostering collaboration within a virtual, multidisciplinary team environment.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in a relevant field (highly desirable).
• Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles, systems theory and life cycle management in a complex project environment.
• Experience in engineering approaches for developing space, satellite or aviation technologies.
• At least five years’ experience in technical roles within large-scale development or government procurement programs, including three years in space, satellite or aviation projects.
• Knowledge of relevant technologies, such as GNSS, SBAS, digital signal processing, and communications systems.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and mentor others in a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage risk and maintain compliance with technical and quality standards.

Are you unsure about applying? Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Simon Reynolds [phone] or email [e-mail].

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit. Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role. Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process. Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment , as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.