Team Leader

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government's economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people's lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia's future.

Please see the APSC's APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the National Measurement Institute

We provide Australia's peak measurement standards for physical quantities. This enables measurements made in Australia to be accepted internationally, which is particularly important for trade. Our people share their expertise by providing measurement services – from calibration and testing to technical advice and training. We contribute actively to international measurement forums and enhance our capabilities through research and development in line with national and international requirements.

About the Length Standards Team

We maintain Australia's primary standards for the measurement of length and angle. Our team supports Australian manufacturers with Australia's highest-level length and dimensional calibration services. Services range from the nanometre scale up to kilometres, supporting users in the advanced manufacturing, construction, defence, medical and aerospace sectors. We aim to develop new services to incorporate rapidly changing technologies and meet the evolving needs of Australian industry. This is likely to include increased digitalisation, expanding measurement of micro-scale features, and development of in-depth analysis and verification techniques for 3D coordinate measuring systems such as laser trackers and scanners. The team operates primarily from NMI's Port Melbourne laboratory and access relevant facilities at NMI's Lindfield site in Sydney from time to time

The opportunity

This senior role provides leadership of the Length Standards team within the Physical Metrology Branch. You will be responsible for leading a dedicated team that maintains a wide range of top-level measurement standards and delivers specialised measurement services to other teams across NMI and to clients in industry, government and the research sector. With a focus on fostering innovation, identifying opportunities, and growing the capabilities of the team, the Team Leader plays a critical role in managing, planning and implementing the scientific and technological activities of the team and in maintaining and growing productive relationships with external stakeholders and with staff across the organisation.

The role offers a range of opportunities for personal and professional development and for engagement with broader NMI and interdepartmental activities and forums and with the international metrology community in the region and beyond.

What's in it for you?

Working at NMI means you are joining one of the world leaders in measurement science, with a unique opportunity to connect your technical skills to solving real world, applied problems that deliver impact to Australian stakeholders. NMI has a diverse range of roles and priorities, and as a staff member you will be able to learn new skills and expand your career in interesting and exciting ways.

NMI is committed to providing a rewarding working environment. The role has great potential for personal and professional growth, and for building a strong profile across NMI, the Department and with a wide range of stakeholders, including other Commonwealth agencies and overseas metrology institutes.

As department employees, NMI staff are covered by an Enterprise Agreement with benefits that include:

• 15.4 % employer superannuation contribution
• 4 weeks annual leave
• 18 days paid personal leave per year
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Vacation care subsidy
• $235 healthy lifestyle subsidy available annually
• Flexible working arrangements such as teleworking, part-time work and job sharing, where possible
• Salary packaging, which allows you to make certain payments using your pre-tax salary
• Access to study assistance
• Access to staff counselling services.

Our ideal candidate

You hold a postgraduate qualification in engineering or science, complemented by industry experience, and have expertise in managing technical teams and in leading an ISO17025-accredited laboratory. Your strong interpersonal and technical skills enable you to effectively engage with staff and stakeholders, provide clear direction and expert advice, develop practical solutions, and ensure the timely delivery of calibration services to clients.

You are detail-oriented and apply your technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities to both troubleshoot existing systems and address emerging measurement challenges. You think strategically and plan proactively, finding satisfaction in working with clients to provide solutions to their measurement needs, and you enjoy interacting with stakeholders to support the advancement of measurement science within Australia and internationally. As a skilled communicator, you confidently convey technical concepts and outcomes to a variety of audiences and foster collaborative relationships.

You are committed to safety and quality and enjoy working in a small, specialised and dedicated team environment. You embody the NMI values of being Accountable, Adaptable, Inclusive, Influential, Innovative, and Strategic.

As our ideal candidate, you will:

• Hold postgraduate qualifications in engineering or physics or possess equivalent research experience.
• Be self-motivated and capable of working independently under broad direction.
• Demonstrate leadership and judgment in managing technical teams and in the delivery of quality technical results to clients.
• Build and maintain respectful, productive working relationships.
• Actively engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate scientific and technical concepts clearly and effectively.
• Be open to growth, adaptable, and willing to develop new skills as needed.

In addition, experience in any of the following areas will be highly considered:

• Working in or managing an ISO17025-accredited laboratory.
• Acting as a NATA technical assessor.
• Delivering technical training.
• Using, calibrating, or verifying dimensional measuring equipment, particularly 3D Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs).
• Interpreting engineering drawings, especially understanding Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles and terminology.

Our department has a commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, with the ambition of being the best possible place to work. We value everyone's contribution and strive to create a culture where everyone is respected and empowered. Our ideal candidate will enrich this culture and bring their unique perspective to our team.

What you will do

As the leader of the Length Standards team, you will:

• Lead a team responsible for maintaining and developing Australia's primary standards for length, angle, and general dimensional metrology.
• Manage the length metrology laboratory, ensuring continued service delivery and maintenance of the ISO17025 NATA accreditation and associated Quality System documentation, including uncertainty budgets.
• Deliver fit-for-purpose measurement and calibration services that respond to the evolving needs of industry.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of specialised training programs.
• Oversee staff and workflows to ensure timely and accurate calibrations for clients across industry, research, and government.
• Build and maintain relationships with research and industry stakeholders to identify emerging trends in length and coordinate metrology.
• Apply your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to analyse measurement systems, interpret results, investigate issues, and develop effective solutions.
• Stay informed of international developments in length and related measurement fields.
• Represent Australia in international forums as the national expert in dimensional metrology.
• Be based at NMI's Port Melbourne site, with occasional travel to the Lindfield site in Sydney to collaborate with colleagues and access specialised facilities.

At NMI, we value continuous learning and are committed to helping our staff reach their full potential. In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Deepen your expertise in dimensional measurements and equipment.
• Engage with Australia's scientific and legal measurement frameworks and contribute to global metrology initiatives.
• Enhance your technical, communication, leadership, and management skills, including through NMI's bespoke Leaders-at-All-Levels Essentials training program.
• Become an authorised signatory for length-based calibration reports issued by NMI.
• Serve as a NATA technical assessor, contributing your dimensional expertise to support Australia's quality infrastructure.
• Participate in national and international technical measurement and standards committees.
• Collaborate with leading experts within NMI and across the broader metrology community.

Eligibility

The successful candidate will have a higher degree in engineering or physics (or equivalent experience), experience managing an ISO17025 accredited laboratory, managerial experience and previous industrial experience.

Are you unsure about applying? If you think you have what it takes, but don't necessarily meet every single point described, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

This position requires a Baseline security clearance, and higher clearance levels may be required in future. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at the required level.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207 based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 500 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact  or if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Peter Cox on or via email on

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