Geoscience Australia values the lands, water and sky as we work to deepen a shared understanding of Country and Earth. We respect First Nations peoples and their enduring connection, contribution and obligations to Country. Reflecting on our shared history, we are committed to listen and learn.

About us

Geoscience Australia brings together science, data and technology to provide geoscience insights that inform decision-making by government and industry, support innovation, and contribute to Australia's safety, resilience and prosperity.

Our work spans the Australian continent, marine jurisdiction and Antarctic territory, from space to the Earth’s core. We deliver national-scale data, services and infrastructure and work with partners to deepen understanding of Australia and respond to the opportunities and challenges facing our nation.

Our culture

Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged.

What we can offer you

At Geoscience Australia, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant science, data and technology that makes a difference to Australia. You’ll work alongside people with diverse expertise and experience, with opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to work with real-world impact.

We offer competitive employment conditions, flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits that support the wellbeing and development of our people. Click here to find out more.

Our team

The Australian and New Zealand Governments are collaborating on a project to deliver improved position, navigation, and timing services across both countries with a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) capability. Named the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), the regional SBAS capability will be utilised by a broad range of industry sectors, including transport, resources, agriculture, spatial, and utilities.

The SouthPAN project is a joint undertaking between Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand and the project team comprises people from both organisations. The project will work with the prime systems integrator, providing government furnished elements and evidence of oversight and assurance during the establishment phase. Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand will continue to work with the prime following the completion of the project to maintain and improve the SBAS capability over its 15-year sustainment period.

More information is available on www.ga.gov.au/southpan.

The role

As a Systems Engineering Team Lead (EL1) within the SouthPAN project, you will lead a team of systems engineers responsible for ensuring the integrity, compliance and performance of the SouthPAN capability throughout its life cycle. You will coordinate technical activities across geographies and stakeholder groups, ensuring effective systems integration, verification and assurance.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this role requires both technical depth and people leadership capability. You will manage and mentor engineering staff, oversee work planning and performance, and represent the systems engineering function in internal and external forums.





You will exercise informed judgement under limited direction and contribute to the delivery of complex project outcomes within defined frameworks.

The key duties of the position include:

In this role you will:

- Provide leadership and coordination for the systems engineering function, planning and prioritising work for a team of engineers.
- Lead the development, integration and assurance of systems engineering activities throughout all phases of the system life cycle.
- Coordinate the preparation and maintenance of engineering processes, standards and documentation to support certification, verification and compliance activities.
- Manage and mentor a team of engineers, setting clear expectations, supporting professional development and fostering a cooperative team culture.
- Conduct and oversee quality assurance and audit activities, ensuring technical standards and governance requirements are met.
- Identify, assess and manage technical risks, issues and dependencies, escalating where appropriate.
- Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, facilitating effective communication between government, industry and technical partners.
- Provide well‑founded technical advice to support decision‑making at project and program levels.
- Prepare technical reports, briefings and presentations that communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely to technical and non‑technical audiences.

To be successful in the role you will:

- Demonstrate strong leadership and management capability, including supervising staff and coordinating technical activities to achieve results.
- Apply a systematic, analytical approach to problem‑solving and decision‑making in complex technical environments.
- Exercise sound professional judgement, anticipating challenges and responding flexibly to achieve objectives.
- Communicate effectively and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Model integrity, accountability and commitment to quality in all aspects of your work.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

- Bachelor of Engineering in a relevant discipline (highly desirable).
- Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles and life cycle management in complex, multi‑stakeholder projects.
- Experience leading or supervising engineering teams within government or large‑scale development programs.
- Knowledge of systems development within the space, satellite or aviation technology sectors.
- At least five years’ professional engineering experience, including three years in systems or integration roles.
- Experience with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), SBAS, digital signal processing or telecommunications technologies.
- Well‑developed stakeholder management and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Proven ability to deliver results under limited direction, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.

Are you unsure about applying?

Did you know that a Hewlett Packard internal report found that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60 per cent of the job requirements? Women and other people from diverse backgrounds tend to only apply when they check every box. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on what we are looking for,



please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

To Apply

Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include:

- Your resume (no more than 3 pages)
- A brief statement (no more than 700 words) outlining your transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role and the value you would bring to Geoscience Australia.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Simon Reynolds on (02) 6249 9*** or email **************@ga.gov.au.

To learn more about applying for roles within the Australian Public Services please review, ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’.

Use of AI in Recruitment

Geoscience Australia may use Microsoft Copilot to support limited administrative and preparatory aspects of the recruitment process. Artificial Intelligence is not used to assess or select candidates, and all decisions are human-led and based on merit.

Candidates must ensure their application reflects their own skills, experience and capabilities. Any use of AI must be responsible, transparent where required, and must not misrepresent their suitability for the role.

Candidates will be asked to disclose their use of AI when submitting an application and may also be asked to do so at various stages throughout the recruitment process.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment, as well as the Principles for agency use of AI in recruitment which outline expectations for the responsible, ethical and transparent use of AI when applying for APS roles.

Eligibility

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this position you must meet the below eligibility criteria.

- Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application.
- The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level relevant to this role.
- Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre- employment screening, which includes a police history check.

Notes

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment and Delivery team on (02) 6249 9*** or email ***********@ga.gov.au.

A merit list/pool may be created from this process. If you are successful for the merit pool, your details may be shared with other Australian Public Service agencies unless you choose not to have your details disclosed.

Getting to know the Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia is an Australian Government listed entity within the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio. Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. We apply our diverse professional expertise, our deep and trusted knowledge, our national-scale Earth observation infrastructure and our robust partnerships, to the opportunities and challenges that face our nation. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged. We are committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offer a flexible and diverse workplace.

📌 Systems Engineering Team Lead (Symonston)
🏢 Geoscience Australia
📍 Symonston