Communications RF Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:

Communications RF Engineer

Your KBR future – delivering solutions and changing the world

About KBR:

We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers and dreamers who all share one goal — to improve the world.

KBR delivers science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 34,000 people performing diverse, complex, and mission-critical roles in 33 countries. 

For 65 years, KBR and its heritage companies are proud to have delivered some of Australia’s largest and most complex projects.

With around 2,000 employees in 6 primary offices throughout Australia, we are committed to social and environmental sustainability and delivering projects with a digital mindset driving innovation within our business and for our customers.

We help ensure mission success on land, in the air, at sea, in space and cyberspace for our defence customers. From individual technologies and services to comprehensive project delivery and mission execution, no other company can match the breadth and depth of KBR.

KBR comprises a diverse team who provide a broad spectrum of capabilities across Australia and the Asia Pacific. Our proven project teams readily address complex and multi-disciplinary activities, providing low-risk and cost-effective solutions to the defence force.

Learn more about our business here.

The Opportunity:

This position description describes the indicative tasks and responsibilities for the RF/Communications Systems Engineer in the Land 154 Program. This position is to assist the project as required to plan, acquire, integrate and transition the Mission Systems into service and onto sustainment.

The current Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability for Counter Improvised Explosive Devices

(CIED) has been developed to address threats arising from operations through Joint Project 154 Phases 1 to 4, Rapid Acquisitions, and Operational Support. The capability includes: Neutralisation and Exploitation (N&E), and Force Protection Electronic Countermeasures (FPECM).

Electromagnetic Warfare and Intelligence Systems – Land Systems Program Office (EWIS-L SPO) employs a robust Engineering Management System (EMS) to progress these materiel systems through acquisition, sustainment and disposal.

This position description describes the indicative tasks and responsibilities for the Communications/RF Systems Engineer. This position will provide Communications/RF Systems Engineering support for acquisition, sustainment and disposal of FPECM, CIED and other Electronics Warfare (EW) systems, and if required and workload permits, the Communications/RF Systems Engineer may be tasked by the IWP Lead to assist other Counter Improvised Explosive Device projects.

Mission and Scope

The Communications/RF Systems Engineer shall provide engineering support and expertise to engineering, design management, integration engineering, verification and validation and materiel certification in the area of communications/RF systems. The Communications/RF Systems Engineer shall work collaboratively and independently on a range of engineering and Project tasks both within the engineering team and the wider Project team.

The Communications/RF Systems Engineer shall provide specialty engineering services in the area of Communications/RF systems to ensure the achievement of the delivery of engineering materiel system inputs into the Project’s work packages. The required services may include, but are not limited to:

• Advising on Radiation Hazard (RADHAZ) to personnel, fuel and ordnance risks in accordance with relevant standards (eg ARPANSA RPS)
• Provide subject matter expert (SME) advice on all Communications/RF matters associated with the system including, but not limited to, E3 effects, RADHAZ, system performance/optimisation
• Review and comment on RF system performance and safety risks in the development of solutions and design changes
• Participate in and provide input into Mandated System Reviews
• Support systems engineering and configuration management activities including requirements management, V&V activities, functional/physical check audits, engineering change proposals
• Foster a collaborative culture via the sharing of knowledge and expertise amongst project team members, management and stakeholders

Location

Melbourne, VIC. Other locations may be considered. Domestic travel may be required.

Rate of effort

Full time, 40 hours

Clearance

Minimum current NV1 clearance, with the ability of obtain/maintain up to NV2.

Responsibilities

The required services may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide advice on RADHAZ including carrying out RADHAZ surveys and desktop calculations to determine RADHAZ risks to Personnel, Ordnance and Fuel
• Provide input into Verification & Validation (V&V) planning, execution and reporting including the development of test reports assessing system performance
• Provide specialist advice on all matters related to RF/Communications Systems including E3 Effects, EMSEC, system performance, system optimisation (eg co-site interference, antenna pattern measurements)
• Support system integration onto land platforms including providing advice on co-site interference, E3 Effects, EMSEC, and RADHAZ
• Develop test requirements, procedures and reports to identify solutions to determine system performance
• Raise and progress engineering change proposals under the SPO engineering management system
• Participate in and provide SME input into Mandated System Reviews (eg PDR, DDR)
• Operate within the Organisation’s One Defence Capability System and SPO Engineering Management System, maintaining a high standard of activities and outputs.
• Risk management including identification and mitigation, documenting and communication thereof.
• Support development of key artefacts / documentation including the Safety Case (Minute and Report), Test Reports, Test Procedures, Hazard Risk Assessments, Impact Assessments, and other Engineering related documents / artefacts or Objective Quality Evidence (OQE).
• Provide professional engineering advice, guidance, mentorship and assistance when required, including to team members including graduate levels.
• Stakeholder engagement activities within the Project and the Customer / Capability Manager, including developing and maintain relationships.
• Foster a collaborative culture via the sharing of knowledge and expertise amongst project team members, management and stakeholders
• Work both autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to progress work packages in the context of engineering change management and configuration management.
• Support contract negotiations and tender evaluation activities, including the review of contractor submittals and provision of input to the development of technical specifications and related documentation.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required

Essential:

• Current (or ability to immediately gain) Technical Proficiency Level 4 (An individual who holds an accredited or recognised four-year engineering degree and has completed a minimum of three years engineering work experience after completing the degree).
• Demonstrated Engineering qualifications and experience (preferably Electrical, Electronics, Communications, or Radio Frequency).
• Demonstrated recent communications/RF systems engineering experience in Defence projects within the One Defence Capability System, including relevant experience in the Defence Joint or Land Domain within the past 5 years.
• Demonstrated experience in design and integration of RF/Communications systems with other systems (e.g. land vehicles, portable systems)
• Well-developed communication skills, oral and written.

Desirable:

• Technical Proficiency Level Three (Be a Chartered Professional Engineer through Engineers Australia, registered on the National Engineering Register.)
• Demonstrated experience in the Engineering discipline, including the planning, scoping, budgeting and forecasting of tasks, activities and deliverables within the Project, and the ability to work in a distributed team across a varied workforce and environment.
• Demonstrated experience in acquisition and introduction into service of RF/Communications systems in a Defence environment
• Demonstrated experience in the conducting of key tests, trials and demonstration activities in support of validating system performance against requirements.

Reporting line

• The Communications/RF Systems Engineer reports to the Engineering Manager within in the Project and / or to the Program’s Senior Engineering Manager.
• There are no staff reporting to the Communications/RF Systems Engineer.

Benefits of KBR

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work (Aus, India, UK & US)
• Flexible working conditions
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews)
• Paid Parental leave
• Paid Reservist leave
• Income protection
• Corporate rewards
• Salary packaging/Novated leasing
• Discounted employee stock purchase plans
• Flu shots, skin checks and private health insurance discounts
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways

If you’re ready to shape tomorrow, let’s get started. Apply Now

KBR acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connections to land, sea, community and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive and diverse work environment. We encourage candidates of all abilities to apply.

As a Major Service Provider of the Australian Defence Force, an AGSVA security clearance will be required and compliance to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, our hiring decisions are based on the key requirements of each role and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and experiences.

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