Early Careers Manager

Early Careers Manager

Job Location: Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia – We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space – there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description:

As the Early Careers Manager, you will be responsible for leading design, implementation and evaluation of skills programs at the vocational education level to meet business demand, and to deliver on our commitments to improve early careers diversity. This role will be responsible for establishing and managing an enterprise approach for apprentices and trainees.

Core Duties:

• Work closely with functions and lines of business, and the vocational sector, to establish then continuously improve our apprentice and trainee proposition, and our vocational education up-skilling/ re-skilling initiatives.
• Designing or scaling innovative vocational education skilling initiatives that provide BAE Systems Australia with deeper reach into technical fields and trades – working in partnership with relevant functions and Lines of Business
• Preparing vocational skilling options for tenders, including education sector liaison as required by the bid team
• Setting benchmarks, training and policies to ensure positive and consistent early careers experience across our business
• Establishing effective program evaluation methodologies, performance dashboards, and benchmarking our programs against competitors within and outside the defence industries

Essential Skills:

• Experience in engaging registered training organisations, vocational students or early career trades and paraprofessional
• Demonstrated knowledge of Apprentice and Trainee learning models, funding and regulations
• Strong understanding of apprentice and trainee talent acquisition tactics and trends
• Experience working within large, complex, matrix organisations with the experience and confidence to communicate and present proposals at all levels, and to collaborate effectively internal and external stakeholders.

The Early Careers Team

The Early Careers team is committed to providing opportunities for graduates, interns, apprentices and trainees to join our business and work on the latest technologies, capabilities and infrastructure that underpins Australia’s defence programs.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We welcome applications from all candidates and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180 and recipients of the Benchmarcx Top Employer for Candidate Experience Excellence 2026. As members of the Circle Back Initiative, we commit to responding to every applicant.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss the support you may need. You can also connect with us via Careers and Employment.

Security statement

Please note, as a defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain one. Further information regarding security clearances.