Senior Engineering Manager

At BAE Systems Australia

• Do interesting work that MATTERS
• ENJOY what you do
• GROW your career
• Be YOU

We work in a thriving sector – one that puts us at the forefront of exciting and meaningful work. Every day we push boundaries to produce some of the world's most innovative and groundbreaking technology. Individually we all contribute to our success. Collectively we generate solutions that are positively impactful.

Recognised for delivering projects of global and national significance that help keep Australia safe, it is our shared passion that shapes our culture, and our people that make it a great place to work.

About The OPPORTUNITY
We have a unique opportunity for a seasoned
Senior Engineering Manager
to join our program based ideally in Richmond, Victoria.

We embrace flexible work arrangements at BAE Systems Australia, such as working a 9-day fortnight and hybrid working.

You will be responsible for providing technical leadership and end-to-end accountability for the planning, delivery, and certification readiness of the MQ-26 Ghost Bat Vehicle Management System (VMS) across all three development blocks.

The role owns the VMS architecture, requirements, design, implementation, verification, and regulatory compliance, ensuring performance, safety, reliability, and quality objectives are met. The Senior Engineering Manager leads technical decision-making, governs design and assurance activities, and serves as the principal interface with internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships to align technical outcomes with program, customer, and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead the development and authorship of the Ghost Bat Vehicle Management System, including flight control, navigation, guidance, health monitoring, and system state management functions. This includes the verification and validation test suites (SILs, HILs)
• Act as the primary point of contact for VMS-related decisions, reviews, and stakeholder engagements.
• Define and maintain the VMS system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and design documentation in alignment with platform, avionics, and mission system requirements.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams, including control systems, software, avionics, and systems engineering.
• Mentor and develop engineering staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

About YOU

• Demonstrated professional maturity and sound judgement, with a proven ability to build, influence, and sustain trusted relationships across technical, programmatic, and customer stakeholders in a defence environment.
• Extensive experience leading complex software development initiatives, encompassing end-to-end planning, governance, and execution within structured engineering and program frameworks.
• Established record of successful delivery of technically complex projects, balancing schedule, cost, risk, and quality outcomes in high-assurance environments.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement and liaison capability, including the ability to translate between technical and non-technical audiences and confidently represent engineering positions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong collaborative leadership skills, enabling effective integration across multi-disciplinary engineering teams, suppliers, and program functions.
• Advanced prioritisation and time-management capability, with the ability to manage competing demands while maintaining a clear focus on technical integrity, assurance, and delivery quality.
• High standard of technical communication, including the production, review, and governance of engineering documentation suitable for defence and regulated environments.
• Current Australian Defence security clearance or demonstrated eligibility to obtain and maintain one.
• Eligibility to comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

About US
You will be joining a workplace that truly cares about your wellbeing.

Our people are diverse and we value the variety of perspectives this brings, we know that a culture that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging is a place we can all make the most of our unique talents and be our best.

As Australia's largest defence company in a rapidly growing sector, you will be connected into a global team and encouraged to explore where your career might take you whether that is a traditional career path or squiggly one, there are infinite possibilities for you at BAE Systems Australia.

BAE Systems recognises the sacrifices of those who have served our Nation and their families. We support our veteran community through our internal veteran network (VetNet Australia) and strong charitable partnerships, internal offerings including reserve service leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program and other exclusive offerings available through our strategic partners.

We welcome applicants from all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, age, or other lived experience; and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all positions.

We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180.

Awarded the 2024 Quarter 1 Benchmarcx Triple R- Excellence In Candidate Experience Certification. As a member of the Circle Back Initiative we commit to respond to every applicant.

To learn more about our competitive employee benefits, flexibility, other employment opportunities and what to expect from our recruitment process please visit:

Clearances
As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain appropriate clearances. Further information regarding security clearances.

International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) are applicable and as such, your nationality may be a factor in determining your suitability for this role. Please visit this webpage for more information.