Systems Engineer

Job Location: SA-Edinburgh Parks. The role can also be based at Melbourne. This is an onsite role and 9 day fortnight working arrangement can be considered.

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:

As a Systems Engineer within the Strategic Surveillance Program, you will contribute to the evolution and sustainment of one of Australia’s most advanced Defence capabilities. Working within a multidisciplinary environment, you will collaborate with customers, engineers, and operators to define, develop, integrate, and support complex system solutions throughout their lifecycle.

You will play a key role in shaping future capability, managing technical change, and ensuring that customer and operational needs are effectively translated into practical, supportable, and verifiable system outcomes. This role provides exposure to the full systems engineering lifecycle, from concept development and requirements definition through to integration, verification, deployment, and sustainment.

In addition to supporting the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), the team is also contributing to the delivery of Australia’s first international export of Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology through Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) program. This landmark $2.5B initiative represents the largest defence export in Australia’s history and provides opportunities to work on internationally significant surveillance capabilities, collaborate with Defence partners across two nations, and influence the future development of world-leading OTHR technology.

Core Duties:

  • Defining, managing, and evolving products and capabilities that support multiple customers and stakeholders.
  • Working directly with customers and end-users to capture operational needs, translate requirements, and shape future capability enhancements.
  • Supporting contract and scope change activities, including impact assessment, technical analysis, and solution development.
  • Collaborating closely with Integration, Verification & Validation (V&V), software, hardware, and operational teams to ensure successful capability delivery.
  • Engaging with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex systems challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes for Defence.
  • Managing and implementing change within a model-based and digitally-enabled engineering environment.
  • Defining and developing Mission and support system requirements to ensure long-term operational effectiveness and sustainment.
  • Contributing to system architecture, requirements management, risk management, and technical decision-making across the program lifecycle.

Essential Skills:

  • Systems Engineering within Defence, aerospace, communications, software-intensive, or complex engineering environments.
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and systems modelling tools.
  • Customer engagement and stakeholder management.
  • Engineering lifecycle management for complex systems.

The Strategic Surveillance Systems Engineering Team

Why Join the Systems Engineering team?

Join a team at the forefront of Australia’s most advanced surveillance technology. Whether supporting the operational evolution of JORN or helping deliver Australia’s first international Over-the-Horizon Radar export to Canada, you will work on complex engineering challenges that have a direct impact on national and international security while shaping the future of world-leading radar capability.

  • Work on JORN, one of the world’s most advanced and operationally proven Over-the-Horizon Radar systems.
  • Contribute to a capability that provides Australia with critical long-range air and maritime surveillance.
  • Be involved in Australia’s largest-ever defence export program, supporting the delivery of Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar capability.
  • Collaborate with Defence customers, operators, and highly skilled engineering teams across Australia and internationally.
  • Solve complex systems engineering challenges spanning software, hardware, communications, infrastructure, integration, and operational domains.
  • Develop expertise in modern systems engineering practices, including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), requirements development, integration, and verification.
  • Influence the future direction of globally recognised surveillance technology while supporting the security interests of Australia and its allies.

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. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Please visit this webpage for more information.

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