The key duties of the position include The Role Naval Construction Branch (NCB) is seeking a dedicated and skilled individual to join its assurance team as an Engineering Professional. This is a unique opportunity to work on a range of navy vessel projects, right at the waterfront in Henderson WA, where the ships are being constructed. As an APS 6 Engineering Professional, you will deliver continuity of technical assurance, working with uniform and civilian staff in a team, using your experience in ship repair/maintenance activities to verify the ships are constructed in accordance with agreed approved domestic/international standards throughout the different phases of the build. Key responsibilities for the APS 6 Engineering Professional are: Shipyard Surveillance & Quality Oversight Conduct on-site surveillance, inspections, and assessments across shipyard builds to monitor construction progress, quality performance, and system integration. Ensure adherence to approved procedures, standards, and classification requirements (e.g., DNV). Verification, Assurance & Compliance Perform assurance activities to verify compliance with technical specifications, contractual obligations, and legislative requirements. Audit shipbuilder processes to confirm effectiveness and alignment with program standards. Technical Advice & Support Provide specialist technical advice throughout construction and acceptance phases, ensuring product quality and system integration outcomes. Support the evaluation of design changes, deviations, and engineering non-conformances. Non-Conformance Management Identify, investigate, and document non-conformances, supporting corrective action verification and monitoring closure to promote continuous improvement. Test & Evaluation Witness and provide technical input into system testing activities, including FAT, Pre-Commissioning, Harbour Trials, and Sea Trials, ensuring compliance with test objectives and acceptance criteria. Technical Documentation Review Review technical reports, engineering analyses, QA documentation, drawings, specifications, and procedures to ensure accuracy, compliance, and suitability for use. Reporting & Communication Prepare clear and timely surveillance, technical, and progress reports. Participate in project and technical forums, ensuring accurate documentation and transparent issue tracking using project-reporting tools. Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain effective working relationships with Defence stakeholders, prime contractors, suppliers, classification societies, and regulators to support coordinated delivery and issue resolution. Safety & Work Practices Uphold safety and regulatory requirements while promoting a Positive Safety Culture. Mentor team members and reinforce safe work practices across site activities. Site Centric Role Provide a strong on-site presence across multiple shipyard and production areas, leading and performing field-based surveillance activities as required. Several roles are intended to be filled within NCB across a variety of shipbuilding disciplines with a merit pool to be established from this recruitment activity. A number of roles are intended to be filled within NCB across a variety of shipbuilding disciplines with a merit pool to be established from this recruitment activity. Hull and Structure: Assess the condition and integrity of ship hulls, structures, and coatings across various platforms. Weld inspections, including traceability checks, non-destructive testing (NDT), and weld heat treatment follow-ups. Coating inspections, including surface prep, film thickness measurement, holiday testing, touchups Auxiliaries: Assess the quality of pipe fabrication and installation, witness pressure testing and system flushing Assure installation of machinery via factory acceptance tests, pre-delivery maintenance and system set-to-work activities About our Team Naval Construction Branch (NCB) is accountable for the assurance of ship construction, set-to work and transit of vessels constructed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard and Henderson precinct. We are headquartered in Osborne, SA and have a detachment in Henderson, WA and a smaller presence in Port Macquarie, NSW. NCB is furthering continuous naval shipbuilding and growing sovereign capability by overseeing the construction to ensure quality and standards are met, storing lessons learnt and developing standard shipbuilding procedures for construction. NCB will oversee the construction of many different Navy vessels including Offshore Patrol Vessels, Hunter Class Frigates, Young Endeavour, Evolved Cape Class and Pacific Patrol Boats. Working at NCB will enable you to be at the grassroots of continuous naval shipbuilding, where you are part of a working shipyard, being able to see and contribute to the vessels delivered and used in service by Navy. NCB currently has highly skilled and diverse shipbuilding experience, which will be shared to grow your hands-on construction knowledge. You will work alongside Navy personnel, internal project management officers and Prime contractors. The opportunity for technical staff to undertake industry placement is also available. Workplace Benefits and Conditions Defence offers a supportive and flexible working environment that promotes wellbeing, professional development, and work-life balance. Some of the key benefits include: Enterprise Agreement Salary Structure - Salaries are governed by an enterprise agreement that includes scheduled annual percentage increases. DECA Day - One day undefined leave per year to support personal wellbeing. Annual Leave at Half-Pay - Option to extend leave duration by electing to take annual leave at half-pay. Purchased Leave - Option to purchase additional leave to support personal flexibility. Paid Stand-Down Break - Paid stand down provided between Christmas and New Year. PFADS (Performance Feedback Assessment and Development Scheme) - A structured framework for performance management and career development, integrated with annual performance-based payments. Flex-Time Option - Flexible working hours available to support personal and operational needs. Career Progression - A strong culture of career advancement is actively encouraged and supported through structured pathways and development opportunities. Our Ideal Candidate Our ideal candidate would be an experienced and qualified individual with a strong work ethic and demonstrated leadership behaviours. Our ideal candidate will possess: Technical experience within shipbuilding or sustainment environments. Strong stakeholder engagement skills , with the ability to proactively engage and liaise with multiple Shipbuilder Primes and Classification societies. Applied technical capability , demonstrate technical proficiency with the capability to lead the evaluation of technical packages and equipment performance against project specifications, and deliver well-supported recommendations that drive improvements & and corrective actions. Knowledge-sharing and Leadership skills , with the ability to participate in or lead processes involving knowledge transfer within the Shipbuilding or Sustainment domain. Commitment to continuous learning , a broad understanding of shipbuilding fundamentals and a desire to expand knowledge across multiple discipline build groups. A collaborative approach supported by strong communication skills and the capability to positively influence teams in their work with internal and external stakeholders.
