JOB DETAILS

Combat Systems Engineer

CompanyDowner
LocationCanberra
Work ModeOn Site
PostedAugust 11, 2026
About The Company
Enabling communities to thrive. It’s what we’ve done for more than 150 years. Solving problems. Making the extraordinary run smoothly every day. We’re keeping the lights on and the water flowing. Running the hospitals that take care of us. Delivering the transport that takes us from A to B. Maintaining communication networks that keep people connected. Helping our Government and Defence customers keep them protected. Delivering train fleets. Building bridges, roads and streets. Now we’re building momentum too. Moving forward even faster. Across Australia and New Zealand, we’re transforming the way we work. Unlocking our potential to lead by example. Using our passion and expertise to deliver complex projects and turn fresh ideas into solutions that make society a better place. Creating opportunities for our people, growth and value for our shareholders, and world-class solutions for our customers. Imagining. Innovating. Engineering. Enabling.
About the Role

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future.  

Downer Professional Services is comprised of two business units, our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice and Team Downer, a major service partner to Defence. Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for our clients in Defence and National Security. 

We currently have an opportunity for a Combat Systems Engineer (Requirements/FPS) in either Sydney or ACT to work on complex naval combat systems modernisation projects.

What You’ll Do 

These roles offer a broad scope, with key role responsibilities including: 

  • Develop, review and maintain Functional Performance Specifications (FPS) for combat system elements and platform interfaces, ensuring alignment with Royal Australian Navy operational requirements.
  • Decompose stakeholder and Commonwealth requirements into measurable, testable requirements that support system design, integration and verification activities.
  • Support requirements management activities, including traceability, verification cross-reference matrices, baseline management and change control using requirements management tools such as DOORS.
  • Collaborate with external primes and contractors, and other stakeholders to define interface requirements and resolve integration constraints.
  • Contribute to major engineering reviews including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) and Critical Design Reviews (CDR), as well as verification and validation planning.

 

What You’ll Bring  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
  • Experience developing functional or performance specifications for complex defence, naval or electronic systems.
  • Knowledge of requirements decomposition, traceability, verification methodologies and requirements management tools such as DOORS.
  • Strong technical writing, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional communication skills.

 

Due to the nature of the work, the successful applicant must be an Australian citizen and hold and maintain an AGSVA Security Clearance, as required by the Commonwealth. In some cases, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) may also be required.

Why Downer Professional Services 

At Downer Professional Services, we’re not just a workplace - we’re a business dedicated to contributing to the shaping of the future of defence in Australia. As the country’s only sovereign prime, we’re committed to making a real difference in protecting Australia’s interests.  

What is means to belong at Downer Professional Services  

  • Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future. 
  • Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice. 
  • Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more through Perks@Downer. 
  • Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service. 

 

You want your work to matter and so do we.  With over 26,000 people across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our team is made up of individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas. 

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences. We especially encourage applications from those whose voices have traditionally been underrepresented in our industry, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pasifika Peoples, veterans, people with disability, and neurodivergent individuals.  Even if your experience doesn’t align perfectly with this role, we’d still like to hear from you. If it feels like the right fit, apply - potential counts, and so do you. 

As a WORK180 Endorsed Employer, we support flexibility that works for your life, inclusive leadership that values your voice, and equitable access to opportunity so you can do your best work and bring your whole self to it. 

If you need support or adjustments through the recruitment process, just let us know, we’re here to help you put your best foot forward. 

Key Skills
Systems engineeringElectrical engineeringFunctional performance specificationsRequirements managementDOORSTraceabilityVerification and validationTechnical writingStakeholder engagementSystem designIntegrationBaseline managementChange controlDefence systemsNaval systems
Categories
EngineeringTechnologySecurity & SafetyGovernment & Public SectorConsulting
Benefits
Healthcare discountsRetail discountsVehicle discountsReservist leaveProfessional developmentCareer mappingAccelerated learning programs
Job Information
📋Core Responsibilities
Develop, review, and maintain functional performance specifications for naval combat systems while ensuring alignment with operational requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to manage requirements, perform system design integration, and contribute to major engineering reviews.
📋Job Type
full time
📊Experience Level
5-10
💼Company Size
18083
📊Visa Sponsorship
No
💼Language
English
🏢Working Hours
40 hours
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