At Downer Professional Services (DPS) , we are committed to delivering outcomes that put Australia’s interests first . We work on complex and impactful Defence, government, and infrastructure projects that shape the future of our nation. Our people are at the core of our success, bringing expertise, innovation, and leadership to critical Defence programs.
Our Technical, Advisory, and Capability (TAC) practice and Team Downer (the prime Major Service Provider (MSP)) deliver above-the-line consulting services and Integrated Work Packages across the Department of Defence, leveraging innovative approaches such as mission and digital engineering to enable the successful delivery of critical Defence programs. This includes engagement with key areas across Defence including Defence Digital Group (DDG), Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), and the Navy, Army, and Air Force.
We are currently seeking an Automation Tech Lead for the next phase of a Fleet Information Environment (FIE) Modernisation program delivering a cyber-hardened, integrated, sustainable, and networked mission system that enables the Royal Australian Navy to ‘fight and win at sea’. The aim of the FIE modernisation project is to deliver to Navy a suite of integrated ICT systems, applications and infrastructure (Minerva) that supports both deployed operations and day-to-day administrative activities, where ships and submarine crews are located.

The position will undertake the Automation Tech Lead role functions, performing the following activities:

• Develop, build, implement and maintain automation routines across complex ICT infrastructure software and applications.
• Analyse, log, track, and resolve complex issues pertaining to automated test scripts.
• Identify and assess technical risks and collaborate with project stakeholders to inform and provide mitigation options and caveats.
• Create and conduct peer review of Standard Operating Procedure documentation (SOPs), build guides and related artefacts.

Required skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience in Defence as an Automation Technician.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in Automation and Orchestration technologies and services including Ansible and GITlab.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in scripting including PowerShell, SQL, IaC, yaml, pwsh, python.
• Demonstrated ability to take customer requirements, standards and frameworks and apply in a practical application to future proposed solution designs and systems.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with demonstrable experience of presentation and engagement with stakeholders, projects and business areas.

Desirable skills and experience

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly build, automate and deliver proof of concept systems to support analysis, testing, accreditation and development.
• Experience with governance frameworks in relation to infrastructure service and security delivery including required subsystems (i.e. Australia Information Security Manual (ISM)).
• Experience with ADF deployed environments/platforms and the unique networking, support and security constraints.

This opportunity is based in Canberra or Sydney, the successful candidates will need a Defence industry background, ideally experienced in the Maritime domain. If you have the expertise to support Defence operations, we’d love to hear from you.
Our work is highly complex and confidential , applicants must be Australian citizens with a minimum NV2 security clearance. Additionally, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may be necessary. In some cases, this may impose restrictions on individuals who are dual citizens. nationality, permanent residency, or former nationality of specific countries as outlined in ITAR 126.1.
More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

• Develop, build, implement and maintain automation routines across complex ICT infrastructure software and applications.
• Analyse, log, track, and resolve complex issues pertaining to automated test scripts.
• Identify and assess technical risks and collaborate with project stakeholders to inform and provide mitigation options and caveats.
• Create and conduct peer review of Standard Operating Procedure documentation (SOPs), build guides and related artefacts