Engineer - Mechanical/Auxiliary Systems

The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

As an Engineer working within the Platforms Systems Branch, you will shape the future of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capability, and be an integral part of ensuring that it is delivered safely and securely.

Your role may range from being very specialist in nature to quite broad, depending on your area of work and expertise. You may also have the opportunity to work across streams.

The duties of an EL 1 Engineer may include:

• Working within a team, to develop the methodologies and processes by which the ASA will understand, assure, and certify the platform system aspects of Australia’s nuclear submarine capability.
• Working collaboratively across a variety of stakeholders, including with our overseas partners, industry, and regulators, to bring best engineering practices to bear for Australia, and to understand, develop, and utilise ASA’s technical capabilities.
• Supporting the delivery of high quality reporting including briefs, reports, publications and presentations, and other deliverables as required.
• Use your experience and skill, to recommend courses of action on matters of approval and certification with respect to deviations from designs, specifications, or performance requirements.
• Participating in trilateral meetings/workshops, sometimes outside of standard Australian working hours.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced team members, building and sustaining positive relationships and actively participating in team and group activities.
• Supporting other duties as required.

This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment, bring deep technical insight, and can demonstrate leadership.

Due to the requirement to access sensitive IT systems and information, the role requires a predominantly onsite presence. Flexibility in working arrangements related to individual circumstances can be discussed.

Successful candidates may also have the opportunity to later nominate for and be selected to undertake international placements embedded in the US or UK for a period of 2 to 3 year. Embedded personnel will undergo specific training in order to fulfil various roles on return to Australia. Successful recruits will be provided support in preparing for their respective placements through in-country uplift and training prior to embedment.

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

About our Team

The Platform Systems Branch of the Australian Submarine Agency Engineering and Technical Division works to assure and evolve the non-nuclear platform system engineering capabilities that will underpin the safe, effective and enduring sovereign operation of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.

Our branch is responsible for the technical governance, safety certification and OQE development for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capability through managing a wide spectrum of specialist technical functions, including naval architecture, transverse systems integration, and stealth management.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organisation seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

Our ideal candidate will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

• Technical Aptitude; knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas related to marine and/or submarine systems:
  • Compressed Air/Gas Systems
  • Fluid (Bilge and Ballast) Systems
  • Hydraulic Systems
  • Domestic Systems and Atmosphere Control
  • Emergency Systems, including Firefighting and Damage Control
  • Cooling Systems
  • Self-noise Monitoring Systems
• Communication; well-developed written and oral communication and negotiation skills. The candidate will need to communicate complicated concepts and subjects to inform decision-making, build common understanding, share knowledge, with accuracy and confidence, adapting to all audience levels.
• Able to foster relationships with ASA peers and with representatives of the various industry and Government partners involved in the AUKUS submarine program
• Management; manage workflows, resources, prepare work area and team plans detailing measurable milestones and expected outcomes.
• Decision-making; apply sound judgment and logic, be able to apply co-design practices, identify and mitigate risk, through a considered systems thinking approach. Contribute to and lead the implementation of engineering actions.
• Technical advice; possess an ability to develop subject matter expertise, reporting, analysis and provide guidance in technical fields, ensuring technical compliance and strong integrity. Provide technical guidance and mentorship to developing engineers.
• Technical excellence; be adaptable, resilient, inclusive and flexible and keen to learn alongside leading experts in novel technologies and be committed to deliver outcomes for the program.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 5 July, 2026

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/03235/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=D84F48C4-88DC-EBDD-C234-ED04DBA5A739