The key duties of the position include:

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.

In this role, you will contribute to the independent technical oversight, assurance, and commissioning of submarine secondary propulsion systems, ensuring they are installed, integrated, tested, and transitioned to operation in accordance with design intent, engineering standards, and stringent safety and quality requirements. You will operate within highly complex, safety-critical environments, working closely with shipbuilders, system integrators, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to support the successful delivery of this nationally significant program.

Reporting to the Deputy Engineering Director- Nuclear Field Office, you will be responsible for providing technical leadership and assurance across the commissioning lifecycle of submarine secondary propulsion systems, including main steam turbines, steam turbo generators, auxiliary propulsion units, drive systems, and associated electrical and mechanical interfaces.

You will:

- Initially support the development of ASA Engineering Management System plans, processes and procedures for the conduct of submarine construction technical assurance.
- Lead surveillance, inspection, and verification of submarine secondary system installation, and commissioning activities.
- Lead compliance assessment of submarine secondary system against design specifications, engineering standards, and safety requirements.
- Contribute to the development of high-quality objective evidence for regulatory and certification obligations
- Identify risks, defects, and non-conformances, supporting investigation and resolution.
- Engage with shipbuilders and ASA technical specialists to resolve complex engineering issues.

You will apply sound engineering judgement to ensure the secondary propulsion and associated systems operate safely, reliably, and in accordance with stringent nuclear-powered submarine design and performance requirements. Success in this position requires the ability to understand and assess how systems behave when mechanical, electrical, and control elements interact, particularly in a commissioning and nuclear-constrained environment.

Working Environment and Development

Across all roles, you will operate in shipyard and supplier environments, with opportunities for interstate and international travel. You will provide authoritative advice on safety-critical systems and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across government, industry, and international partners.

These positions also offer a unique professional development prospect, including the potential for a 2–3 year placement at a partner shipyard in the United Kingdom, providing hands-on experience in advanced submarine construction and strengthening sovereign capability on return to Australia.

Impact





Your work will directly contribute to the safe, compliant, and effective delivery of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capability—supporting a program of national significance that will shape Australia’s security and industrial landscape for decades to come.

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 Construction Engineering Directorate within the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) Engineering and Technology Division is responsible for delivering expert engineering oversight of submarine construction and fabrication activities. The Directorate plays a key role in assuring that hull, structural, and reactor-related systems are manufactured in accordance with design intent, regulatory requirements, and the highest standards of safety and quality.

Our team provides technical leadership and assurance across shipyard and supplier environments, undertaking surveillance, inspection, and quality assurance of fabrication processes. This includes oversight of welding, materials, structural assembly, and engineering change implementation to ensure the integrity and performance of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine capability.

Working closely with industry partners, regulators, and multidisciplinary engineering teams, the Directorate supports the development of objective quality evidence (OQE), ensures compliance with engineering and safety standards, and contributes to the safe, effective, and enduring delivery of Australia’s submarine program.

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 candidate will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

- Demonstrated knowledge of commissioning, testing, and verification of complex mechanical and/or electrical systems, ideally related to main steam turbines, turbogenerators, propulsion, auxiliary drive systems, or integrated platform systems within submarine, naval, nuclear, or other heavy industrial environments.
- Experience in commissioning management and execution, including development and review of test procedures, conduct of harbour and sea trials, and system transition from construction to operational capability.
- Strong background in technical oversight, inspection,



and assurance activities within safety-critical or highly regulated programs.
- Ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings, schematics, interface definitions, and technical specifications, ensuring alignment between design intent, installed systems, and operational performance.
- Understanding of integrated mechanical, electrical, and control systems, particularly where multiple subsystems interface (e.g. propulsion units, power systems, control and automation systems).
- Knowledge of verification and validation (V&V;), certification frameworks, and Objective Quality Evidence (OQE) requirements to support system acceptance and regulatory compliance.
- Proven ability to identify, analyse, and resolve faults and non-conformances, including conducting root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions during commissioning activities.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to provide transparent, practical, and authoritative technical advice to shipbuilders, contractors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- High level of attention to detail, professional integrity, and commitment to safety, with an embedded understanding of working within a nuclear-informed safety culture.
- Ability to work effectively in shipyard, test, and operational environments, including hands-on involvement in commissioning activities, inspections, and system trials alongside build and test teams.

Getting to know the Australian Submarine Agency

The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023 and is responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program. Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will be critical to ensuring our Defence Force has the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe. The Australian Submarine Agency operates under the Defence portfolio and maintains strong linkages with the Department of Defence. Our workforce comprises a mixture of Australian Public Servants, Australian Defence Force members and contractors. At the Australian Submarine Agency, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get in any other organisation. You are able to undertake interesting, challenging and unique work. This ranges from intelligence and strategic policy right through to human resources, communications, infrastructure and engineering, and information technology. As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities. Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people. We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.

📌 Submarine Construction Assurance Engineer (Secondary Propulsion) Lead (Adelaide)
🏢 Australian Submarine Agency
📍 Adelaide