Program Manager, Defence Satellite Sustainment

2 days ago


Canberra, ACT, Australia SES Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

Program Manager, Defence Satellite Sustainment

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Program Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and successful delivery of a multi-year satellite sustainment contract within the Australian Defence environment. This role ensures that all aspects of the satellite systems' operation, maintenance, engineering, training and lifecycle support meet Defence capability requirements, compliance standards, contractual requirements and stakeholder expectations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

  • Program Leadership
  • Guide multi-year planning and capability evolution to maintain operational readiness and resilience
  • Establish governance structures and ensure program integrity across deliverables and contractual obligations
  • Act as the principal liaison between defence agencies, internal stakeholders and subcontractors, facilitate program reviews and mission alignment
  • Contract & Compliance Management
  • Ensure adherence to Commonwealth procurement policies, ASDEFCON contract templates, and Defence regulatory standards
  • Lead contract change negotiations, milestone validations, and audit readiness activities
  • Monitor and report on contract KPIs, risk mitigation plans, and sustainment service-level agreements (SLAs)
  • Technical Oversight
  • Manage sustainment activities including operation, maintenance, supply, training, and lifecycle engineering
  • Supervise engineering change proposals, configuration control boards, and system verification/validation processes
  • Risk, Schedule & Financial Management
  • Develop, maintain, and track integrated master schedules (IMS) and risk registers using Defence scheduling systems
  • Oversee program budgets, resource allocations, and contingency planning across multi-stream operations
  • Subcontractor Management
  • Define and monitor subcontractor scopes of work, deliverables, and acceptance criteria in alignment with ASDEFCON contractual frameworks
  • Coordinate onboarding, security clearance validation, and contract compliance for all subcontracted entities

COMPETENCIES

  • Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills
  • Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic Defence environment
  • High-level communication and leadership presence
  • Ethical, accountable, and committed to mission success

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or a related technical discipline
  • 7+ years of experience managing defence programs, preferably in satellite or aerospace sustainment
  • Proven leadership in complex, high-value Commonwealth contracts
  • Strong understanding of the Defence Capability Lifecycle, ASDEFCON, and relevant standards (e.g., ISO, MIL-STD)
  • Excellent stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and reporting skills
  • NV1 clearance or above
  • Extensive network of contacts within ADF especially CASG
  • Hold Australian drivers license

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • Preferably Canberra based
  • Ability to travel nationally and Internationally as required

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

For more information on SES, click here.



  • Canberra, ACT, Australia SES Full time

    Program Manager, Defence Satellite SustainmentROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARYThe Program Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and successful delivery of a multi-year satellite sustainment contract within the Australian Defence environment. This role ensures that all aspects of the satellite systems' operation, maintenance,...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia SES Full time

    Program Manager, Defence Satellite SustainmentROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARYThe Program Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and successful delivery of a multi-year satellite sustainment contract within the Australian Defence environment. This role ensures that all aspects of the satellite systems' operation, maintenance,...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Vectiq Full time

    Vectiq Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaSatellite Communications EngineerVectiq is looking for an experienced Satellite Communications Engineer to work as an integral part of a collaborative ICT infrastructure and engineering team within a Federal Government agency. Work will be onsite in Canberra.ResponsibilitiesDesign, implement, and...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Vectiq Full time

    Vectiq Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Satellite Communications Engineer Vectiq is looking for an experienced Satellite Communications Engineer to work as an integral part of a collaborative ICT infrastructure and engineering team within a Federal Government agency. Work will be onsite in Canberra. ResponsibilitiesDesign,...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia MTP Services Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    About the Role An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Satellite Communications Engineer to join a major Federal Government client on a long-term program of work. You will play a key role in a large-scale Satellite Modernisation Project, involving the design, implementation, and maintenance of satellite communication systems, spanning both legacy...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Department of Defence Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    The key duties of the position include: The Role Electromagnetic Warfare and Intelligence Systems Land SPO (EWIS Land) is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, energetic candidate with well-developed contracting, procurement and governance skills to join our team as Sustainment Commercial Manager. The Sustainment Commercial Manager will possess the skills...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Peoplebank Australia ACT Full time $120,000 - $180,000 per year

    Our Federal Government Client is seeking a Satellite Communications Engineer. This is a long-term contract role for 12 months with 2 x 12-month extensions, located at our client's Canberra, ACT office (onsite only)As the selected candidate, you will:• Design, implement, and maintain satellite communication systems across client's global Posts.• Support...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Peoplebank Full time

    Peoplebank Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Our Federal Government Client is seeking a Satellite Communications Engineer. This is a long-term contract role for 12 months with 2 x 12-month extensions, located at our client's Canberra, ACT office (onsite only). ResponsibilitiesDesign, implement, and maintain satellite communication...


  • Canberra, ACT, Australia Peoplebank Full time

    Peoplebank Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaOur Federal Government Client is seeking a Satellite Communications Engineer. This is a long-term contract role for 12 months with 2 x 12-month extensions, located at our client's Canberra, ACT office (onsite only).ResponsibilitiesDesign, implement, and maintain satellite communication systems...

  • Sustainment Manager

    4 weeks ago


    Canberra, ACT, Australia Downer Full time

    Downer Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AustraliaJoin or sign in to find your next jobJoin to apply for the Sustainment Manager role at DownerDowner Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicantsJoin to apply for the Sustainment Manager role at DownerJob DescriptionAt Downer Professional Services (DPS), we...