The key duties of the position include: The Role As a Naval Architect within the Collins Submarine Program (The Program) you will be part of a specialised team responsible for supporting Australia’s submarine capability. Engineering and Technical roles within The Program are: Professionally challenging: submarines are complex systems that operate in harsh conditions - a space shuttle is the closest comparison. You will be trusted to deliver engineering and technical support to ensure Australia’s submarines can be operated safely. Professionally rewarding: submarines directly contribute to Australia’s ability to Shape, Deter and Respond in a dynamic geopolitical landscape. Your work as a Naval Architect will directly contribute to Australia’s submarine capability. You will also have the opportunity to continue your professional learning. Naval Architect roles within The Program involve: Design acceptance: Assessment of engineering change proposals on behalf of Navy from a Naval Architectural perspective, including assessments of impacts the engineering change may have on stability, margins, performance, manoeuvring, structures and signatures. Design acceptance activities can include operational support, upkeep activities, update projects, upgrade projects, and support to Collins Life of Type Extension (LOTE). Onsite engineering support: Provision of engineering oversight to stability trials, docking/undocking events, ship-lift certifications, escape and rescue mobilisations, and wharf fendering arrangements. 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. The successful candidate may be required to undertake work on and be provided with technical information pertaining to defence articles of United States of America (US) origin. In accordance with the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), any applicant who holds, or has previously held, citizenship or permanent residency of a country other than Australia will be required to declare and indicate the country or countries of citizenship or permanent residency. Restrictions on access to defence articles and associated technical data subject to the ITAR by dual national employees may apply. About our Team The Collins Submarine Program within the Naval Shipbuilding & Sustainment Group (NSSG) is responsible for the maintenance and programmed upgrade of Australia’s Collins Class submarines. The Program works in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy and Industry to deliver the strategic submarine capability to the nation. You will have access to generous and attractive working conditions as an Australian Public Servant in Defence. Working for Defence will support you in balancing work life with family and other priorities. You can access a variety of flexible working arrangements, including part-time work, occasionally working from home and working hours that are not always nine to five. Information on Defence employees’ working conditions, including an attractive remuneration package that may respond to industry variations and a generous superannuation contribution (15.4%), can be sourced from the Defence Enterprise Agreement. Our Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will be ready to work as part of a specialised community and contribute to supporting Australia's submarines. They will need to have sound base of technical knowledge upon which, through their capacity and self-motivation, to further professionally develop. Note: The ideal candidate is not expected to have direct experience with submarine systems - they will be expected to have the curiosity and desire to grow this knowledge from the opportunities afforded to them. The ideal candidate will need to possess sound and logical problem solving skills - balancing the achievement of outcomes to support operational demands with technical rigour. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to critically assess and prioritise solutions - adapting their application of technical and soft skills in response to changing priorities and challenges within The Program. They will need to have the tenacity to meet these complex challenges and achieve outcomes using their technical skills and knowledge. The ideal candidate will also possess excellent interpersonal skills along with good verbal and written communication abilities. Eligibility 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 Royal Institution of Naval Architects or demonstrated the ability to obtain such status within 12 months. Getting to know the Department of Defence 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
