Joint Mission Design Specialist

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia's future.

Downer Professional Services is comprised of two business units, our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice and Team Downer, a major service partner to Defence. Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for our clients in Defence and National Security.

We currently have an opportunity for a Joint Mission Design Specialist, with prior Defence background, in Canberra to work on Mission Engineering projects .

What You'll Do

This role offers a broad scope, with key responsibilities including:

• Translating strategic guidance (e.g., National Defence Strategy, Concept Aspire) into actionable mission designs.

• Lead or contribute to the development of:

• Functional Mission Design (FMD);

• Logical Mission Design (LMD);
• Physical Mission Design (PMD)
• Produce and maintain Joint Mission Design (JMD) artefacts including: Mission Characterisation, Threat Baselines, Function Flow Block Diagrams (FFBDs), Capability Needs Hierarchies, Interdependencies and Allocated Baselines, Gap and Opportunity Analyses
• Collaborate with Capability Managers, Strategic Planners, and other stakeholders to gather information and input to mission design/analysis.
• Support the digitisation of design artefacts into a CATIA-based Joint Force Model (JFM).
• Apply military judgement to assess feasibility, interoperability, and operational effectiveness of proposed mission packages.

What You'll Bring

• Experience in undertaking military operational planning, including demonstrated proficiency in the Joint Military Appreciation Process (JMAP).
• Domain expertise in one or more operational environments: Air, Land, Maritime, Space and/or Cyber.
• Proven ability to work across Defence interagency environments, with experience translating strategic intent into actionable operational plans.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in systems thinking, capability development, or strategic planning. Familiarity with systems engineering or mission engineering is highly desirable.
• Understanding of mission engineering principles in Defence, and ability to do system/system-of-system behavioural analysis. Experience in developing mission architectures and system-of-systems designs. Experience with MBSE tools or digital modelling environments (e.g., CATIA/Cameo).
• Understanding of and experience working in the ODCS and how capabilities are implemented and integrated. This includes understanding the interoperability issues and risks of capabilities (as Defence Elements).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex concepts .

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain a minimum Negative Vetting 1 required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement.

More than anything, you'll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer Professional Services

At Downer Professional Services, we're not just a workplace - we're a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country's only sovereign prime, we're committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia's interests.

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through .
• Veteran support : Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.

You want your work to matter and so do we. With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging.

We're committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals. Even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with this role, we'd still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you.

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it.

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we're here to help you put your best foot forward.