Senior Project Accountant/Finance Business Partner

Job Location: Edinburgh Parks Adelaide SA or Bourke St Office Melbourne Vic, We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements, such as, flexibility and 9-day fortnight.

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space – there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Role Description:

We have a great opportunity for a Senior Project Accountant/Finance Business Partner to join our Strategic Surveillance team supporting the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) and Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR).

This is an opportunity to be involved from the ground up, shaping how the program operates financially and helping set it up for long-term success.

Reporting to the Accounting Manager, this role is responsible for supporting the Accounting Manager in maintaining the financial functions within the project to ensure integrity and transparency of financial data to facilitate planning and decision-making for the project.

Core Duties:

  • Support the design and implementation of program financial structures, processes and controls.
  • Finance business partnering support within the JORN Program and Cross-Function
  • Assist with preparation and review of the project Annual Budget, 5-Year Integrated Business Plan (IBP), Monthly Re-forecast and Customer estimates
  • Work with stakeholders to interpret policy requirements and translate them into practical financial processes.
  • Earned Value Management (EVM) of key suppliers, providing financial oversight of cost, schedule, forecast performance, and value delivery to support project and business objectives.
  • Support delivery on the strategy and objectives of the organisation, finance function and key priorities for Strategic Surveillance and its major programs.
  • Uphold a strong governance culture, including compliance with Finance Policies, Accounting Standards and Customer contractual requirements

About You:

  • A curious mind and the ability to think critically and challenge the status quo.
  • Degree qualification and completed CA or CPA qualification.
  • A good understanding and experience of Commercial policies and practice.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and experience of adapting these styles to audiences at varying organisational levels.
  • Experience working within a project environment would be highly regarded but not essential.
  • Ability to work in a team environment both within finance and across functions and adapt style to account for individual differences and motivators.
  • Collaborative approach to work in a team environment within finance and across functions and adapt style to account for individual differences and motivators.
  • Ability to liaise and manage internal and external network of business partners and peers.
  • As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain appropriate clearances.

The High Frequency Sensing Team

The High Frequency Sensing team is part of the BAE Systems Defence Delivery Business Unit and delivers advanced Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) capability across the full lifecycle, spanning acquisition, sustainment and research and development – with all design wholly undertaken within Australia. It brings together expertise in large and medium scale wide area surveillance systems to support sovereign capability and operational readiness for Australian and international export customers. It is an exciting time to join the team with major upgrades occurring for Australian and US customer systems, evolving sustainment focus to ensure capability readiness for the Australian Defence Force customer, and our role as the industry partner on Australia’s largest ever defence export; supporting both Australian and Canadian governments. We are structured as two product portfolios, proudly providing exciting opportunities to our people and critical capabilities to our Australian and international customers.

Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) and Arctic Over the Horizon Radar (A-OTHR)

The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is a connected series of three remote over-the-horizon radars (OTHR) located in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The state-of-the-art defence radar system provides wide-area surveillance at ranges of 1,000 to 3,000 kilometres and plays a vital role in supporting the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) air and maritime operations, border protection, disaster relief and rescue operations.

As the Australian Government’s Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) industry partner for both Sovereign JORN and Australia’s largest ever defence export, BAE Systems is looking to mobilise an exceptional team to support our portfolio. This is your chance to join a growing team delivering world-leading capability to the Australian and Canadian Governments.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

We support our veteran community through VetNet Australia, along with initiatives such as Reserve Service Leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program, and partner-supported programs.

We welcome applications from all candidates and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180 and recipients of the Benchmarcx Top Employer for Candidate Experience Excellence 2026. As members of the Circle Back Initiative, we commit to responding to every applicant.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss the support you may need. You can also connect with us via Careers and Employment.

Security statement

Please note, as a defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain one. Further information regarding security clearances.

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Company Culture

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Within a growing network of around 100,000 colleagues in more than 40 countries, our teams bring together people with diverse skills, ways of thinking and backgrounds - while our work spans the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space.

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