Live-Fire Range System Engineering Manager

The Role

The Live-Fire Range Systems Engineering Manager leads the systems engineering, engineering assurance and capability development activities associated with Defence live-fire range capabilities. Live-Fire Ranges provide facilities for the conduct of live-fire weapons and explosive ordnance training across a range of environments, including urban and field operations. 

The role is responsible for providing engineering advice, developing system specifications, managing technical and safety risks, supporting design and technical certification activities through a design acceptance model, and developing sustainment documentation. The position also leads the development and continuous improvement of engineering processes, engineering governance arrangements, and test and evaluation activities.

The position contributes to the research, development and implementation of innovative technologies, engineering solutions and methodologies that enhance the safety, effectiveness, interoperability and operational utility of live-fire range capabilities. This includes identifying emerging technologies, supporting experimentation activities, and collaborating with Defence, industry, research organisations and other stakeholders to inform future range capability requirements.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer. 

About our Team

The Live-Fire Range Engineering Team is part of the Directorate of Estate Engineering Policy (DEEP). The team is responsible for developing and implementing the engineering governance, design acceptance and technical determination processes required to assure Defence Estate capabilities, with an initial focus on Live-Fire Ranges.

The team develops engineering policy, standards and governance and assurance frameworks to support the design, technical certification and sustainment of Defence Live-Fire Ranges. This includes systems engineering, safety assurance, design acceptance, test and evaluation, technical risk management, and research and development activities.

Working closely with other engineering disciplines within DEEP, Defence Groups and Services, industry partners and research organisations, the team supports the delivery of safe, effective and fit-for-purpose Live-Fire Range capabilities that meet current and future Defence requirements.

Our Ideal Candidate

A motivated, inquisitive engineering professional who is adaptable, outcome-focused and enjoys working in a dynamic environment. As part of a newly established engineering team, you will contribute to the development of engineering governance, design acceptance and technical determination frameworks supporting Defence Live-Fire Range capabilities used for weapons and explosive ordnance training.

The ideal candidate will have some or all of the following:

• Experience with weapons systems, explosive ordnance (EO), Defence live-fire ranges, range instrumentation and training systems
• Experience in systems engineering, engineering assurance, design acceptance, technical certification or technical determination activities
• Experience in the planning and conduct of test and evaluation activities
• Experience applying systems safety engineering, safety assurance and technical risk management processes
• Experience developing engineering specifications, standards and technical documentation
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• A proactive, self-motivated professional who works effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Mandatory Qualifications:

This engineering position 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.

This engineering position may require the individual to be able to meet the requirements of Chartered Professional Engineer (Engineers Australia), Registered Professional Engineer (Professionals Australia) or Fellow/Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects or demonstrated the ability to obtain such status within 12 months. Evidence of qualifications will be sought and validated.

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