Chief Engineer - Defence Programs (AU)

at  DroneShield Limited

Work with cutting edge technology, making the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) offers an opportunity to solve some of world’s most challenging technical problems in the Electronic Warfare, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, RF sensing, Sensor Fusion and distributed systems. Working with high profile customers across militaries, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure, law enforcement and many others.
With one of the largest listed defence company market capitalisations in Australia and having raised approximately $250m in 2024 alone, DroneShield is undergoing hypergrowth stage, fuelled by rapidly increasing use of drones for nefarious applications, from battlefield, to terrorism, to contraband delivery and commercial espionage.
This role is in the DroneShield Sydney headquarters in Pyrmont, Sydney. There are approximately 200 staff based in the 4,000sqm facility today, scheduled to grow to approximately 300 staff by end of 2026. Overseas on the ground presence includes Virginia (USA), Denmark, Germany and Dubai, as well as distributors in over 70 countries globally.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

The ideal candidate will have exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills, combined with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities for engaging with Defence stakeholders. Familiarity with Defence technologies, including C-UAS, radar systems, and AI/ML applications, is highly desirable. The ability to drive innovation and deliver high-quality engineering solutions under challenging conditions is crucial.

• BS degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or similar technical field of study or equivalent practical experience.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Defence Industry sector within Australia
• Hold or working towards Chartered Professional Engineer status with Engineers Australia;
• Experience in interpreting complex engineering function and performance specifications, and a capacity to identify existing technical solutions to meet these specifications;
• Experience in leading cross-functional engineering teams to deliver contract compliant designs;
• Knowledge of ASDEFCON standards (desirable);
• Must hold or be eligible to obtain an Australian Government Security Clearance (must hold Australian Citizenship).
• Have a good understanding of the systems engineering method and its application to Defence programs;
• Ability to travel interstate, when required

Note for recruitment agencies: we do not accept floated candidates from external recruiters unless they were instructed to do so

ABOUT THE ROLE

DroneShield is seeking a Chief Engineer (Defence) with relevant experience to join the team in Sydney, NSW.
The Chief Engineer (Defence) will lead the development of C2 system architectures that are robust, scalable, and secure, aligning with Defence standards and operational requirements. They will define system specifications, interface designs, and integration strategies, ensuring seamless interoperability of Defence systems. In this role, they will serve as the technical authority for all engineering activities within the Defence program(s), providing critical guidance on system engineering processes, risk management, and technology selection.
This position involves mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams and fostering a culture of technical innovation and excellence. The Chief Engineer will oversee the technical execution of Defence projects, ensuring that milestones are achieved. They will conduct design reviews, validate technical solutions, and resolve complex issues while ensuring deliverables align with Defence program objectives. Collaboration with Defence Project Manager(s) and internal teams will be essential to maintain alignment between technical outputs and broader organisational goals.
Stakeholder engagement is a key component of this role. The Chief Engineer will interface directly with key Defence stakeholders, industry partners, and internal stakeholders to capture detailed requirements and provide tailored technical solutions. They will represent the organisation at technical meetings, reviews, and demonstrations, preparing and delivering comprehensive technical documentation and briefings.
The role demands a strong focus on innovation and the integration of emerging technologies. The Chief Engineer will identify and implement advanced technologies to enhance system capabilities, conducting research and feasibility studies for Defence C2 applications. They will promote the adoption of open architecture and interoperability standards, ensuring systems are future-proof and meet the evolving needs of Defence requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES, DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Software (C2) Architecture Development: Advance the development of software architecture design processes within the team, ensuring software is designed for reliability and performance on resource-constrained targets. Document software architecture and processes.
• Interface Management: Utilise leading industry practices to deliver and maintain robust and efficient interfaces for seamless integration with external and internal systems.
• Testing Expertise: Bring extensive experience in testing methodologies and implementation to ensure quality and reliability.
• Team Collaboration: Work with the engineering team to ensure reliable and robust end-to-end system operation. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on user and business requirements. Work with systems engineers to refine requirements and interface features.
• Technical Guidance: Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and leadership to team members. Serve as a technical authority and take responsibility for design acceptance.
• Compliance Oversight: Implement and ensure compliance with technical regulations, legislation, policy, procedures, and practices.
• Project Leadership: Plan, lead, develop, integrate, manage, and evaluate projects and engineering management systems to deliver engineering aspects of the Defence materiel capability lifecycle. Analyse and report on engineering risks, issues, and requirements.
• Process Improvement: Develop and implement engineering processes, standards, and best practices to ensure technical excellence across all Defence projects.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including project management, systems engineering, and software engineering to ensure alignment and success of projects.
• Risk Management: Manage technical risks and ensure appropriate mitigation strategies are in place.
• Business Development Support: Support business development efforts by providing technical expertise during proposal development and customer meetings.
• Staff Development: Lead the development and mentoring of technical staff, including identifying training needs, providing guidance and feedback, and conducting performance evaluations to maintain a high-performing engineering team.