Technical Director – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0769874
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Technical Director
- Position Number: NSSG/02901/26
- Classification: Executive Level 2
- Closing Date: Monday 15 June 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Canberra ACT
- Future Merit Locations: Canberra
- Salary: $144,430 – $144,430
- Office Arrangement: On Site;Flexible (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
The OPSS Branch is a high-performing, forward-focused team delivering a diverse and evolving
portfolio of maritime procurements that underpin future naval capability. Alongside current projects
acquiring the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Young Endeavour Replacement, and Evolved
Cape Class Patrol Boats, we are actively shaping and preparing for the next generation of
acquisitions, ensuring we remain at the forefront of continuous shipbuilding.
Our culture strikes a strong balance between professionalism and authenticity—we value
independent thinking, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to challenge constructively. People
are trusted to bring their whole selves to work, contributing ideas openly while staying aligned to
shared goals.
It’s an environment where initiative is encouraged, collaboration is natural, and individuals are
empowered to make an impact—supported by a team that is committed, capable, and quietly
driven to deliver results.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal candidate is an agile, forward-thinking leader who thrives in dynamic and evolving
environments, adapting quickly while maintaining clarity and momentum. They are comfortable
navigating ambiguity and can confidently assess multiple courses of action, and balancing
competing priorities to make sound, timely decisions.
They bring sharp intellect —both technical depth and strategic insight—paired with strong
emotional intelligence. This enables them to read situations, understand stakeholder perspectives,
and build trust across diverse teams and senior leaders alike.
Curious, perceptive, and composed under pressure, they approach challenges with a solutions
mindset and a natural ability to connect the dots across complex issues.
Duties
- The Role
- Lead at scale and shape outcomes that matter. The Offshore Patrol and Specialist Ships Branch is
- seeking a high-performing EL2 Technical Director to drive technical excellence and deliver
- complex maritime capability within a fast-paced acquisition environment.
- In this role, you will lead and empower a large, multidisciplinary workforce operating across
- multiple projects, setting the technical direction and ensuring alignment across engineering and
- integrated logistics functions. You’ll bring clarity to complexity, maintaining focus on delivery
- against performance, schedule, and quality expectations.
- As a trusted advisor to Project Directors, you will play a critical role in decision-making—offering
- strategic insight, managing technical risk, and influencing outcomes at senior levels. You’ll work
- closely with Defence, Navy, and industry partners, building strong relationships to ensure
- integrated and confident delivery.
- Beyond project execution, you will contribute to broader branch priorities, including commercial,
- financial, and organisational initiatives. We’re looking for a collaborative and decisive leader who
- thrives in complexity, inspires large teams, and delivers results across multiple concurrent efforts.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance:
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 1.
- Mandatory Qualifications:
- This technical position requires the individual to have obtained Engineers Australia Chartered
- Engineering Associate recognition (or ability to obtain status as of a Chartered Engineering
- Associate within three months) or relevant skills and work experience such that an individual can
- reasonably achieve a recognised AQF qualification if required by the position.
How to Apply
Position Contact Jean Cormick, 02 5131 3387
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=3421BF75-1470-A08B-7AB5-ECF27724A4
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
Defence Vacancy