Systems Engineer – Australian Security Accelerator Program

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Department Summary:
MITRE | Australia's Australian Security Accelerator Program (ASAP) is designed to launch the next generation of technologists, engineers, and innovators into impactful national security careers. Based in Canberra, the heart of Australia's national security ecosystem, ASAP offers early to mid-career professionals a unique opportunity to fast-track their development through real-world challenges, deep mentorship, and international collaboration.

As Australia's first national security charity, MITRE | Australia is redefining how complex national security challenges are addressed—working alongside government, industry, academia, and global partners to accelerate innovation and strengthen Australia's defence and security capabilities. ASAP is a key part of this mission—developed to build critical skills, accelerate growth, and embed the next generation of technical leaders into MITRE's work from day one.

This is a three-month immersive experience, designed to provide meaningful exposure to programs at the core of Australia's national security priorities. Participants will work directly with technical teams on high-impact initiatives, receive structured mentorship from MITRE leaders, and deepen their understanding of the mission, systems, and technologies shaping Australia's security future. The program culminates in a two-week immersion at MITRE's U.S. headquarters, with time spent at our facilities near Washington, D.C. and Boston, Massachusetts—offering a global perspective and integration into MITRE's international network.

At the end of the program, participants will transition into permanent roles within MITRE | Australia—joining a growing team committed to solving hard national security problems through purpose-driven innovation.

If you're ready to move fast, think critically, and contribute to work that matters, ASAP is your opportunity to get started.

Roles & Responsibilities:
As a Systems Engineering participant in
MITRE | Australia's Australian Security Accelerator Program (ASAP)
, you'll be embedded in a dynamic, mission-driven environment where your technical skills and critical thinking will contribute to shaping the future of Australia's national security capabilities.

This three-month, cohort-based program is designed to provide you with meaningful, hands-on experience solving real engineering challenges for Australian government partners across the defence, intelligence, and national resilience sectors. From your base in
Canberra
, you will be immersed in the systems thinking that underpins complex mission environments—learning how to architect, analyse, and support the design of secure, integrated, and resilient capabilities.

Throughout the program, you will:

• Work on priority national security projects, contributing to systems engineering efforts focused on architecture design, mission assurance, digital engineering, and technology integration within the Australian context.
• Apply model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and related approaches to help design and evaluate systems that support Australia's defence, intelligence, and whole-of-government security initiatives.
• Support sponsor engagement activities, collaborating with technical teams, program managers, and operational users to ensure solutions align with mission objectives and stakeholder needs.
• Build systems engineering artifacts such as architecture models, interface definitions, requirements traceability matrices, risk assessments, and decision analysis products.
• Gain practical exposure to the tools and frameworks commonly used in systems engineering, including SysML, MagicDraw/Cameo, and digital engineering environments.
• Learn how Australian national security priorities drive capability development, with opportunities to understand how strategic direction translates into technical delivery across Defence and Intelligence agencies.
• Collaborate with Australian-based and international teams, deepening your understanding of allied engineering approaches and the broader MITRE ecosystem.
• Receive structured mentorship from senior engineers in both Australia and the U.S., supporting your development as a technical contributor and future leader.
• Participate in a two-week immersion at MITRE's U.S. headquarters, gaining insight into MITRE's global impact and the engineering culture that supports its work with across Australia, US, and their allies.

Upon completion, you'll transition into a
permanent systems engineering role at MITRE | Australia
, with opportunities to lead, innovate, and contribute long-term to projects that matter deeply to Australia's national interest.

This is a rare opportunity to develop and apply systems thinking in a real-world mission environment—where operational needs, strategic insight, and technical excellence intersect.

If you thrive in complexity, are eager to grow fast, and want to make a real difference,
ASAP is your next step.
Join us—A Company Unlike Any Other. Mission First. People Always.
Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree (AQF Level 7 or higher) in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Early to mid-career experience—we welcome candidates who are recent graduates with strong academic foundations, as well as those with several years of professional experience in a relevant technical role.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering concepts, such as requirements analysis, architecture development, lifecycle planning, and system validation.
• Exposure to or familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques (e.g., SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw, or similar platforms).
• Strong critical thinking and structured problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams and clearly convey technical ideas to varied audiences.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government NV2 security clearance.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including for the two-week immersion in the United States.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of an Honours, Master's, or PhD in a relevant technical discipline, or 5+ years of relevant post-Bachelor's professional experience in systems engineering or a closely related field.
• Hands-on experience supporting or leading MBSE, digital engineering, or architecture modelling efforts in government, defence, or critical infrastructure domains.
• Familiarity with Australian Defence capability frameworks and acquisition processes (e.g., Defence Capability Lifecycle, Integrated Investment Program, or Defence Enterprise Architecture Framework).
• Experience contributing to complex systems architecture, interface definition, requirements traceability, or system-of-systems design.
• Knowledge of the Australian national security environment, and an understanding of allied collaboration through partnerships such as AUKUS or Five Eyes.
• Current NV1 or NV2 clearance, with eligibility to obtain a Positive Vetting (PV) clearance if required.
• Demonstrated ability to work across cross-sector teams and contribute to solutions in technically and operationally complex environments.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
None

Work Location Type:
Hybrid

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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