Systems Engineer

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future.

Downer Professional Services comprises of three business units our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice, and Team Downer, which partners with CASG and NSSG as a major service provider to Defence. Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for clients across Defence and National Security.

We currently have an opportunity for a Systems Engineer in Canberra or Melbourne to work closely with commercial resources to ensure alignment of Engineering and Technical artefacts with wider programmatic and commercial intent.

What You’ll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key role responsibilities including:

• The conduct of tender evaluations as a member of a Tender Evaluation Working Group.
• Researching and developing requirements.
• Subject matter Systems engineering input, including drafting and review of the contract statement of work, CDRLs, DIDs and DSDs.
• Supporting development of engineering plans (e.g. Test and Evaluation Master Plan, Systems Engineering Management Plan, Safety Management Plan, Configuration Management Plan).
• Supporting development of documents in preparation of Government submissions.
• Providing professional engineeringadvice to support the achievement of Land-worthiness land military equipment and systems, in accordance with the applicable engineering governance frameworks.
• Conducting reviews of contract deliverables understanding of Defence engineering policies, processes and plans.
• The ability to draft and review systems engineering artefacts across the full systems engineering lifecycle.

What You’ll Bring

• A qualified engineering practitioner with a minimum of Engineering Degree qualification with relevant and recent defence industry experience of more than 7 years.

• Experience in leading engineering tasks and teams.

• Engineering change process including experience in Configuration Control Board.

• CASG experience and familiarity with the Capability Acquisition process and intimate knowledge of the One Defence Capability System (ODCS) lifecycle

• Good understanding of Defence Systems Engineering concepts.
• Understanding of the One Defence Capability System (formerly the Capability Life Cycle).
• Current/active Chartered Engineering accreditation preferred.

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain an AGSVA Security clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement.

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer Professional Services

At Downer Professional Services, we’re not just a workplace - we’re a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country’s only sovereign prime, we’re committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia’s interests.

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer.
• Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.

You want your work to matter and so do we.With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of allages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals.Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward.