Engineering Officer - Flight Test Software and Support

As an Engineering Officer - Flight Test Software and Support within the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU), you will apply your engineering expertise to support the safe conduct and progression of maritime flight test activities. Working closely with Flight Test Engineers and the Engineering Department, you will develop specialist engineering analysis and provide authoritative technical advice supporting rotorcraft Test and Evaluation.

You will oversee the development, application and reporting of flight test instrumentation and engineering analysis tools, including products such as GSWorks, NASTRAN, MATLAB and HeliSHOLDs.

The role also supports deck motion limits analysis (DMLA), review of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) reports, participation in military exercises, and collaboration with Defence, industry and academic partners to solve complex engineering challenges.

While prior experience in this specialised field is desirable, candidates require strong foundations in helicopter flight dynamics, six-degree-of-freedom simulation, and engineering software systems, with a desire to develop deeper subject-matter expertise.

About our Team

The Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) is a small team of approximately 30 personnel, including test pilots, aero system specialists, flight test engineers, engineers, maintainers of all trades, and civilian support staff. Despite the demanding and often high-pressure nature of their work, the team at AMAFTU is known for their professionalism, dedication, and strong work ethic.

They are committed to ensuring the safe and effective operation of RAN aircraft, and to providing high-quality test and evaluation services to support the development and deployment of new aircraft and systems.





AMAFTU is a highly skilled and dedicated group of professionals who are committed to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of RAN aircraft. They are an essential part of the RAN's test and evaluation capability, and play a crucial role in supporting the development and deployment of new aircraft and systems across the ADF.

Our Ideal Candidate

- You are a highly motivated engineer with experience in helicopter flight dynamics, maritime aviation, test and evaluation and six-degree-of-freedom dynamic simulation.
- Experience within Defence flight test organisations is desirable but not essential.
- You demonstrate initiative, sound judgement and a willingness to develop expertise in this highly specialised engineering discipline.
- You enjoy working collaboratively and contribute to a culture of cooperation, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- You possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and are comfortable applying engineering principles to complex technical challenges involving modelling, simulation and flight test support.
- You will work closely with Defence, industry and academic stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to emerging problems.
- You have highly developed written and verbal communication skills and can produce clear technical reports, papers and briefings.
- You should expect to regularly author technical documentation using tools such as Microsoft Office and MATLAB to support flight test and engineering activities.

Security Clearance





Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Mandatory Qualifications

This engineering position requires a Bachelor of Engineering from an Australian institution, or a qualification gained elsewhere, that satisfies the requirements of the Washington Accord for recognition as a Skilled Engineer. This engineering position may require the individual to be able to meet the requirements of Chartered Professional Engineer (Engineers Australia), Registered Professional Engineer (Professionals Australia) or Fellow/Member of Royal Institution of Naval Architects or demonstrated the ability to obtain such status within 12 months.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit jobs-careers

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📌 Engineering Officer - Flight Test Software and Support (Nowra)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Nowra