About the role The Lead Engineer provides technical leadership for complex, mission-critical enterprise systems operating within Defence and secure government environments. The role is responsible for system architecture, design assurance, integration oversight, technical governance, and risk management across the system lifecycle. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Lead Engineer evaluates complex technical and operational challenges, determines appropriate engineering approaches, and ensures delivery outcomes align with organisational objectives, customer requirements, and Defence standards.

The position provides leadership and guidance to engineering teams, influences technical decision-making, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to achieve successful program outcomes. A key focus of the role is ensuring effective knowledge transfer and capability development within Australian engineering teams.

Key responsibilities

- Act as the technical authority for a mission-critical enterprise system, providing leadership across architecture, design assurance, integration, and technical governance activities
- Build, lead, and scale high-performing systems engineering teams, including driving performance through KPIs
- Develop, review, and approve system architectures, ensuring alignment with operational requirements, security objectives, usability needs, scalability considerations, and Defence standards
- Lead system integration activities, ensuring effective interoperability between hardware, software, networks, and supporting infrastructure
- Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the system lifecycle, implementing appropriate mitigation strategies and escalation pathways




- Oversee verification and validation activities to ensure system performance, compliance, and operational readiness
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineering teams, supporting capability development and knowledge transfer to Australian engineering personnel
- Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues and support program delivery objectives
- Support bid activities, customer engagement, and strategic partnerships at a senior level
- Contribute to engineering processes, standards, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system quality, reliability, and maintainability

About you

- Minimum 8 years' experience in systems engineering, enterprise ICT systems, or complex Defence environments
- Minimum of 4 years' experience in a supervisor/leadership role
- Demonstrated experience in the design, integration, verification, validation, and sustainment of complex systems
- Robust understanding of engineering lifecycle management, enterprise system architectures, integration, verification and validation, and technical governance within Defence or mission-critical environments
- Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage technical risk across complex programs
- Experience leading engineering teams and providing technical direction within multidisciplinary environments
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders
- Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 Security Clearance
- Experience working within Australian Defence programs and classified environments (desirable)

📌 Lead Engineer - Expression of Interest (Canberra)
🏢 Cubic Defence
📍 Canberra