Systems Engineer (Multiple Positions)

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

Job summary

Geoscience Australia invites applications for a Systems Engineer within the SouthPAN project team in Canberra. The role focuses on eliciting stakeholder needs, maintaining requirements, and ensuring effective integration of engineering specialties across the government-led SBAS capability.

Applicants should have a Bachelor of Engineering (or equivalent) with experience in space or aviation projects, lifecycle engineering, and strong technical leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering in a relevant field highly desirable.
• Experience applying systems engineering principles and lifecycle management.
• Experience in engineering approaches for space, satellite or aviation technologies.
• At least five years in technical roles within large development or government programs, including space/satellite projects.
• Knowledge of GNSS, SBAS, digital signal processing, and communications systems.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership and mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist technical advice on systems engineering and technical assurance for SouthPAN components.
• Translate project goals into structured tasks for a team or external partners and oversee progress.
• Develop and maintain engineering processes, documentation and compliance with requirements.
• Conduct quality assurance, verification and validation of complex data.
• Manage risks and issues and coordinate testing with the prime system integrator.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and prepare technical documentation for decisions.

Skills

Systems engineering

Space/aviation tech

GNSS/SBAS knowledge

Technical leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor of Engineering

Geology/geoscience degree (or equivalent)

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.

Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements.

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 a Systems Engineer 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.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in geology, geoscience or a closely related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience working with authoritative geoscience or spatial datasets, applying established standards and ensuring data integrity.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging constructively with stakeholders to address technical or service-related queries.

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.

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

• Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677, and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment and Delivery team on 02 6249 9777 in order to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.