Senior Systems Engineer – Defence / HACE Cryptographic Capability (Level 3)

Azooa is preparing a response to 2026-169-Joint-IASPO-RFQ and is seeking a suitably qualified Senior Systems Engineer – Defence / HACE Cryptographic Capability (Level 3) to support the Information Assurance Systems Program Office (IASPO) in Canberra.

This is a senior Defence engineering opportunity supporting the acquisition, modernisation, sustainment and through-life management of Defence’s High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment (HACE) capability under JP9141 .

Applications are being reviewed as they are received, and suitable candidates may be interviewed or appointed before the formal closing date. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

About the Opportunity

IASPO is responsible for the acquisition, modernisation, sustainment and through-life management of Defence’s High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment capability.

Through the JP9141 HACE remediation and modernisation program , the team is delivering a phased upgrade and replacement of Defence cryptographic systems to address capability obsolescence and emerging operational requirements.

The successful contractor will work as a Level 3 Systems Engineer , undertaking complex engineering activities under broad direction and providing senior systems engineering advice across the program.

This role will suit an experienced Defence engineer with solid systems engineering, technical assurance, Systems Safety and engineering governance capability.

Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will:

- Perform critical and complex systems engineering activities under broad direction.
- Provide senior technical and systems engineering advice across the program.
- Exercise assigned engineering authorities and applicable Technical Regulatory Authority delegations.
- Identify engineering risks and uncertainties and incorporate them into planning, prioritisation and decision-making.
- Conduct hazard analysis and other relevant Systems Safety activities.
- Apply advanced systems engineering principles, methods, techniques and regulations.
- Review and assess technical and design packages.
- Scope, plan and conduct engineering reviews and provide recommendations.
- Assess whether delivered materiel meets Defence requirements.
- Ensure engineering activities align with applicable legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks.
- Monitor safety considerations relating to Defence materiel systems.
- Review contractor and supplier deliverables.
- Support capability planning and engineering assurance activities.
- Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Mentor and support developing engineers.
- Communicate complex technical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Support knowledge transfer to Commonwealth personnel as part of transition-out planning.

Essential Experience





Candidates must demonstrate

- Senior engineering experience within a complex Defence workplace.
- Strong systems engineering capability at a senior practitioner level.
- Experience conducting complex technical assessments and engineering reviews.
- Experience identifying and managing engineering risks and uncertainties.
- Understanding of Systems Safety and hazard analysis .
- Experience assessing technical and design packages.
- Ability to operate effectively within Defence engineering, technical assurance and regulatory environments.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Ability to mentor developing engineers and contribute to team capability.
- Experience operating effectively under broad direction.
- Understanding of the One Defence Capability System , formerly known as the Capability Life Cycle.

Highly Desirable Experience Candidates with experience in the following areas will be particularly well aligned:
- Senior engineering roles within CASG .
- Cryptographic systems or cryptographic engineering.
- High Assurance Cryptographic Equipment (HACE) .
- Secure communications or information assurance systems.
- Defence communications systems.
- Systems Safety.
- Defence engineering governance and technical assurance.
- Defence acquisition and modernisation programs.
- Sustainment and through-life support of Defence materiel.

Direct experience across CASG, JP9141, HACE, cryptographic systems or secure communications environments should be highlighted prominently in your application.

Mandatory Qualifications

Candidates must hold

- A four-year Bachelor of Engineering from an Australian institution; or
- An equivalent overseas engineering qualification satisfying Washington Accord requirements for recognition as a Professional Engineer.

Candidates must also be a:
- Registered Professional Engineer in accordance with the Professional Engineers Registration Act 2019 .

Please clearly confirm your engineering qualification and current professional registration when applying.

Security Clearance

Candidates must hold a minimum active AGSVA NV1 security clearance .

This is an essential requirement for submission.

Please include your current clearance level and confirm that it remains active.

ITAR / Export-Control Requirements The role may require access to US export-controlled materiel .

Candidates may therefore be required to disclose information including:

- Dual citizenship status.
- Country of birth.

Dual citizens may be subject to additional assessment,



and appointment may be conditional on approval to access US-controlled export material in accordance with relevant export-control requirements.

Working Arrangements

Location: Campbell Park Offices, Canberra

Onsite requirement: Minimum 3 days per week onsite

FTE: 1.0

Vacancies: 1

Minimum clearance: NV1

ITAR: Yes

Candidates must be able to attend Campbell Park Offices in Canberra for at least three days each week .

Engagement Details

RFQ: 2026-169-Joint-IASPO-RFQ

RFQ Title: IASPO K034 – Systems Engineer (Level 3)

Program: JC4S / IASPO / JP9141

Role: Systems and Software Engineering – Systems Engineer

Skill Level: Level 3

Vacancies: 1

FTE: 1.0

Start: ASAP

Current end date: 30 June 2027

Extension: Possible extension

Location: Campbell Park Offices, Canberra

Minimum clearance: NV1

ITAR: Yes

Supplier response due: 28 August 2026

Applications may be reviewed as they are received, so candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Rate Guidance

Azooa recommends targeting approximately:

$140–$150/hour including super A rate of around $145/hour including super represents strong positioning for a suitably experienced Level 3 Defence Systems Engineer.

Indicative positioning

- $135–$140/hour including super – very strong price competitiveness.
- $140–$145/hour including super – strong winning range.
- $145–$150/hour including super – competitive for a well-aligned candidate.
- $150–$155/hour including super – may suit candidates with particularly strong CASG, HACE, cryptographic or Systems Safety experience.
- $155–$160/hour including super – premium positioning for niche specialist capability.

For an exceptional candidate with strong CASG, cryptographic/HACE, NV1, Systems Safety and senior Defence engineering experience , approximately $150–$155/hour including super may still be competitive. Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may suit professionals currently working as:

- Senior Systems Engineer – Defence
- Lead Systems Engineer
- Principal Systems Engineer
- Senior CASG Engineer
- Defence Systems Safety Engineer
- Senior Capability Systems Engineer
- Secure Communications Systems Engineer
- Cryptographic Systems Engineer
- Defence Materiel Systems Engineer

Particularly solid candidates will demonstrate practical senior engineering delivery within complex Defence environments, including technical assurance, Systems Safety, engineering governance, technical reviews and Defence capability delivery . If you have direct experience with CASG, cryptographic systems, HACE, JP9141, secure communications or Defence information assurance environments , we strongly encourage you to highlight this in your application.

Apply here:

https://share.hsforms.com/2ORRd8e_KT6Oc1HdQuSma6Ad3kd9?rfq_id=2026-169-Senior-Systems-Engineer

📌 Cryptographic Engineer (Canberra)
🏢 Azooa
📍 Canberra