Senior Planner

About the Opportunity

As part of Austal Defence Australia, the Senior Planner will play a key role in supporting the delivery of project design, production execution, and program compliance across complex shipbuilding programs.

Reporting to the Planning and Scheduling Manager within the Enterprise Program Management Office, this position is responsible for ensuring work orders are correctly structured, issued, tracked, and closed out in line with requirements across design, production, supply chain, Integrated Logistics Support, and Configuration Management. The role also ensures adherence to planning standards and ASDEFCON programmatic requirements.

Acting as both a subject matter expert and mentor, the Senior Planner will provide guidance to other planners and work collaboratively with production teams, material planners, schedulers, engineers, subcontractors, and key program stakeholders to drive successful outcomes.

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.

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.

Learn more at

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What's Involved

• Develop, issue, maintain, and close out work orders in alignment with integrated schedules and program requirements.
• Ensure work orders are structured to support traceability, accountability, and compliance with ASDEFCON standards.
• Collaborate with Production, Design, ILS, and Configuration Management teams to integrate scope and maintain alignment across functions.
• Monitor drawing updates and apply changes to active work orders, communicating updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Material Planners and Schedulers to align work orders with material availability and production priorities.
• Support Earned Value Management by applying Rules of Credit and maintaining accurate progress tracking within the ERP system.
• Liaise with subcontractors to ensure clarity of scope, timely execution, and return of required documentation.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance planning efficiency and program outcomes.

You'll Need

• Competency in Microsoft Office, design software and ERP
• Experience in work order/work pack planning, including structuring, issuing, statusing and close out
• Relevant trade qualification, engineering background or equivalent industry experience
• Background in shipbuilding, defence or other complex, large-scale manufacturing is highly desirable
• 5+ years' experience in a planning role (desirable)
• Knowledge of planning automation, or advanced data reporting (desirable)

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.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia