AI Governance & Assurance Specialist – Defence

Rate: $1,000 – $1,100 per day incl. super

Location: Canberra ACT - onsite

Clearance: NV1 Minimum

Canberra Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior AI Governance & Assurance Specialist to support a specialist Defence.

This is a senior technical role working across Artificial Intelligence, AI assurance, governance, systems engineering and Test, Evaluation, Verification & Validation (TEVV).

We are particularly interested in candidates who have previous Defence experience, understand the Defence operating environment, and can provide credible, evidence-based advice on the introduction and assurance of AI-enabled capabilities.

The roleWorking within an AI Governance and Assurance function, you will help establish and mature capability to independently assess AI-enabled systems and technologies.

The role combines technical assessment, governance, assurance, risk analysis, stakeholder engagement and decision support.

You will:

- Develop and review AI governance and assurance artefacts, including AI Use Cases, System Cards and Model Cards
- Support the development and maturation of AI assurance and TEVV frameworks and methodologies
- Assess AI-enabled systems, technical evidence, performance claims, limitations and risks
- Review AI-related policies, submissions, technical papers and proposals
- Provide evidence-based and risk-informed advice to senior Defence stakeholders
- Support Test, Evaluation, Verification and Validation activities for AI-enabled systems
- Review and interpret assessment activities undertaken by Defence, DSTG, industry and other organisations
- Assess vendor and supplier claims relating to AI performance and capability
- Identify technical, operational, security and governance risks associated with AI-enabled systems
- Translate complex technical findings into clear, concise and actionable advice
- Engage with stakeholders across Defence, industry, academia and government





Who we're looking for We are looking for someone with a strong background across AI, technical assurance, Test & Evaluation, systems engineering, AI governance or emerging technology assurance.

Previous experience working within Defence, Defence Industry, DSTG or the broader National Security environment is strongly preferred.

You will ideally bring experience across several of the following:

- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- AI Governance and Responsible AI
- AI assurance and technology risk
- Test & Evaluation / TEVV
- Verification and Validation / IV&V;
- Systems Engineering
- Technical Assurance
- Operational Analysis
- Experimentation and capability evaluation
- AI/ML performance assessment
- Governance frameworks, standards and policy
- Technical risk and evidence assessment
- Defence capability development or acquisition

Candidates should have approximately five or more years' relevant experience developing, implementing, managing, assuring, testing, evaluating or governing AI, machine learning, data-driven or other advanced technology solutions. Highly regardedExperience with any of the following will be viewed favourably:

- Defence AI, data or emerging technology programs
- Generative AI and Large Language Models
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
- Computer Vision or autonomous systems
- AI assurance, certification or accreditation
- Model Cards, System Cards or Assurance Cases
- MLOps and AI model lifecycle management
- Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch or Scikit-learn
- Azure AI, AWS AI/ML or Google Cloud AI
- Assessing supplier or vendor technical claims




- Acting as a Technical Authority, Assurance Authority or independent evaluator
- Defence Test & Evaluation environments

Relevant tertiary qualifications across Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Operational Analysis, Mathematics, Statistics or another relevant STEM discipline will also be well regarded. Mandatory requirements To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must:

- Be an Australian Citizen
- Hold a current minimum NV1 AGSVA security clearance
- Be able to work onsite in Symonston, Canberra
- Have relevant experience operating within Defence or a comparable complex national security environment

Candidates who do not meet the Australian Citizenship and minimum NV1 security clearance requirements will not progress. The successful candidate may also be required to undertake an upgrade to NV2 during the engagement.

Application process

Please submit your current CV through SEEK.

Following an initial review, suitable candidates will be contacted directly and invited to progress to the formal application stage.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to:

- Complete a Canberra Consulting Application Pack
- Provide a tailored CV
- Prepare a one-page pitch outlining what you would bring to the role, directly addressing your relevant experience, technical capability and suitability for the LNIC environment
- Provide details of two qualified referees

Given the specialist nature of this requirement, we encourage candidates to clearly demonstrate previous Defence experience, AI or emerging technology expertise, technical assurance capability and experience providing advice within complex or regulated environments. If you are an experienced Defence professional with a background in AI Governance, AI Assurance, Systems Engineering or Test & Evaluation, we would like to hear from you.

📌 AI Governance & Assurance Specialist – Defence (Canberra)
🏢 Canberra Consulting
📍 Canberra