Systems Engineer - Canberra

IAG Defence and National Security; Canberra; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

IAG Defence & National Security is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to lead multidisciplinary engineering across a major Defence capability, collaborating with Defence stakeholders and industry partners to shape requirements, architecture and governance. The role focuses on acquisition planning, technical leadership and ensuring alignment with milestones.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in complex Defence programs, NV2 clearance, and strong leadership and stakeholder engagement

Qualifications

• Current NV2 security clearance.
• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 10+ years' systems engineering in Defence/government/large tech programs with team leadership.
• Experience leading systems engineering on complex programs.
• Knowledge of Defence Capability Life Cycle and acquisition processes.
• Experience managing requirements, architectures and baselines.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience conducting technical assessments and trade studies.
• Strong systems integration and risk management understanding.
• Experience developing engineering docs and technical reports.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and briefing skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience with Defence, industry and technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Office and reporting tools.
• Experience supporting Defence approvals and acquisitions.
• Experience in Defence communications/ICT/C4I or networked systems.
• Knowledge of Defence engineering governance and frameworks.
• Experience managing architecture development and systems integration.
• INCOSE or similar qualification highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Establish and maintain the project's requirements baseline.
• Define system scope, architecture and engineering baselines.
• Manage technical interfaces, dependencies, risks and opportunities.
• Provide engineering input to acquisition and implementation planning.
• Conduct technical assessments, trade studies and solution analysis.
• Develop and review key Systems Engineering artefacts.
• Support governance, reviews and assurance activities.
• Engage with Defence stakeholders, industry partners and specialists.
• Provide technical advice and reporting to leadership.
• Support systems integration and capability development activities.
• Ensure activities align with project milestones.

Skills

NV2 clearance

Systems engineering

Leadership

Requirements management

Stakeholder engagement

Architecture definition

Technical reporting

Risk management

Defence program knowledge

Communication & briefing

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Canberra, ACT Based | Requires a current AGSVA NV2 Clearance

About Us

IAG Defence & National Security (DNS) is part of IAG, a specialist advisory firm supporting complex infrastructure, Defence and national security programs across Australia. Our DNS team works closely with Commonwealth agencies and industry partners to deliver specialist expertise into nationally significant programs. Our success depends on our ability to identify, engage and mobilise highly specialised talent quickly and effectively. IAG is recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer under the Veteran Employment Program.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to act as the engineering lead supporting the development of a significant Defence capability, providing technical leadership through capability definition, acquisition planning and approval phases. Working in a client-facing Defence environment, you'll collaborate with Defence stakeholders, capability sponsors, delivery agencies, industry partners, systems integrators, OEMs and technical specialists to establish and maintain the engineering baseline that supports acquisition planning and approval activities. You'll lead systems engineering activities across the project lifecycle, including requirements development, architecture definition, technical analysis, engineering governance and acquisition support. You'll give expert engineering advice to project leadership while coordinating the contributions of a multidisciplinary team of engineering specialists. The role suits a highly motivated systems engineering professional with strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate in a complex, dynamic project environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary engineering team
• Establish and maintain the project's requirements baseline
• Define system scope, architecture and engineering baselines
• Manage technical interfaces, dependencies, risks and opportunities
• Provide engineering input to acquisition and implementation planning
• Conduct technical assessments, trade studies and solution analysis
• Develop and review key Systems Engineering artefacts
• Support engineering governance, reviews and assurance activities
• Engage with Defence stakeholders, industry partners and technical specialists
• Provide technical advice and reporting to project leadership
• Support systems integration and capability development activities
• Ensure engineering activities remain aligned to project milestones

Required

• Current NV2 security clearance
• Engineering degree or equivalent relevant experience
• Minimum 10+ years' demonstrated Systems Engineering experience delivering complex Defence, Government or large-scale technology programs, including leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and providing technical leadership
• Experience leading Systems Engineering activities on complex programs
• Knowledge of the Defence Capability Life Cycle and acquisition processes
• Experience managing requirements, architectures and technical baselines
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Experience conducting technical assessments and trade studies
• Strong understanding of systems integration and technical risk management
• Experience developing engineering documentation and technical reportsStrong stakeholder engagement, communication and briefing skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Experience working with Defence, industry and technical stakeholders
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and reporting tools
• Experience supporting Defence approval and acquisition activities highly regarded
• Experience within Defence communications, ICT, C4I or networked systems programs highly regarded
• Knowledge of Defence engineering governance and systems engineering frameworks highly regarded
• Experience managing architecture development and systems integration activities highly regarded
• INCOSE certification or other relevant Systems Engineering qualifications highly regarded

Engagement Details

• Location: Canberra, ACT
• Onsite in Canberra. No remote option

What We Offer

With offices in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, we're a tight-knit team working across some of Australia's most critical Defence and national security programs. We value expertise, collaboration and flexibility, providing our people with opportunities to contribute to meaningful and technically challenging projects.

We can offer great work, great people, great culture, great conditions, and an all-round great time whilst you continue building a rewarding career in the Defence and national security sector.

As part of IAG, you'll be joining a team of more than 250 professionals.

Most opportunities advertised by IAG Defence & National Security are subject to client approval, security validation and contractual confirmation. Employment or engagement will only be offered following successful client acceptance and completion of all required pre-engagement checks and onboarding activities.

Please Note

As this role may support a Defence program, a Defence employment moratorium period may apply to current or recently separated ADF/APS personnel seeking to move into industry roles. If you are currently serving or have recently left Defence, we'd recommend confirming your eligibility to apply before submitting.