About the Opportunity
Austal Ships is seeking a Production Engineer (Fabrication) to provide hands-on engineering support within our shipbuilding production environment.
Working closely with Fabrication Supervisors, Planners, Quality and Design Engineering teams, you will play a key role in supporting the construction of world-class naval and commercial vessels.
This position is focused on steel and aluminium fabrication, ensuring production activities are executed safely, efficiently and in accordance with design, quality and schedule requirements.
Drawing on your fabrication and shipbuilding expertise, you will identify and resolve production issues, optimise manufacturing processes, support engineering change implementation and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the fabrication value stream.
About Austal
Austal is Australia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice.
We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.
With operations spanning multiple sites, Austal offers diverse career opportunities in trades, maintenance, engineering support, project services, corporate functions and operational delivery.
Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.
We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.
This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance.
The maritime is now.
What's Involved
Provide day-to-day engineering and technical support to fabrication and structural production teams during vessel construction.
Review fabrication packages, structural drawings,



welding documentation and work instructions to ensure readiness for production activities.
Act as the production-based Subject Matter Expert (SME) for structural fabrication and assembly activities.
Liaise with Design Engineering to clarify technical requirements and resolve fabrication and construction issues.
Support welding, plate preparation, cutting, forming, assembly and module construction activities across the build program.
Identify and remove production constraints impacting safety, quality, schedule or fabrication efficiency.
Develop practical solutions to fabrication and assembly challenges while maintaining design and regulatory compliance.
Support the planning and sequencing of fabrication activities to optimise production flow and resource utilisation.
Raise, track and manage technical queries, concessions, non-conformances and engineering changes.
Assist with the development and improvement of fabrication methodologies, work instructions, welding processes and standard production practices.
Conduct routine inspections of work in progress to verify compliance with drawings, specifications and quality requirements.
Support defect management, rework reduction and root-cause investigations relating to fabrication and welding activities.
Collaborate with Production Supervisors, Planners, Quality and Engineering teams to achieve program milestones.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on fabrication productivity, workflow efficiency, weld quality and cost reduction.




Promote a solid culture of safety, quality and operational excellence within the fabrication environment.
You'll Need
Minimum
5+ years of shipbuilding, heavy fabrication, structural manufacturing or complex construction experience, preferably in a production environment.
Strong practical knowledge of shipbuilding fabrication processes, including steel and/or aluminium structural assembly.
Sound understanding of welding processes, fabrication methodologies and production workflows.
Previous experience in production engineering, fabrication supervision, leading hand or technical support roles will be highly regarded.
Ability to interpret fabrication drawings, engineering specifications, welding documentation and production packages.
Strong understanding of structural fabrication, assembly and installation processes within a heavy manufacturing environment.
Proven ability to troubleshoot fabrication-related production issues and implement practical engineering solutions.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Strong focus on safety, quality and continuous improvement.
Australian working rights and ability to obtain relevant clearances where required.
Why Join Us?
Competitive compensation and benefits package.
Professional development and training opportunities.
A supportive and dynamic work environment.
Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.
At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all.
We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.
Veterans are also encouraged to apply.
Learn more at

📌 Production Engineer (Western Australia)
🏢 Austal Ships
📍 Western Australia