- Canberra ACT, Port Adelaide SA
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.
The Assistant Director System Safety is responsible for providing professional safety engineering leadership and assurance across complex submarine non-nuclear platform systems within the Platform Systems Branch. The role supports the delivery of safe, compliant, and operationally effective capability throughout the system lifecycle, from concept and design through to sustainment.
This position leads the development, review and acceptance of safety artefacts, including hazard analyses, safety cases and assurance reports, in accordance with Defence and regulatory frameworks.
The Assistant Director System Safety works closely with engineering, project management and Navy stakeholders to identify and mitigate safety risks, provide authoritative advice, and influence technical decision making. The role requires sound judgement, strong technical expertise, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a sensitive, high stakes environment.
The Assistant Director System Safety may lead small teams, engage with industry partners, and contribute to governance processes to ensure the Agency meets its safety and assurance obligations in support of Australia’s submarine capability.
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, stealthy, 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 organization 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 candidates will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:
- The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in safety engineering for complex, high risk or mission critical systems, preferably within Defence, maritime, or similarly regulated environments.
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of systems and safety engineering principles across the capability lifecycle, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and safety case development.
- Experience applying Defence safety frameworks, regulatory requirements, and assurance processes is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to provide clear, authoritative advice to senior stakeholders, review technical documentation, and exercise sound judgement.
- Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, along with experience leading or mentoring engineers and contributing to governance processes.
Application Closing Date: Sunday 21 June 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/03044/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=47B90A25-2492-39A0-411A-ECF2B061C1C4