Security Certification Engineer

Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre‑eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation’s trusted adviser on the geology and geography of Australia, applying science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of our country.

What we can offer you

You will have access to a range of benefits and a workplace culture that values diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. Competitive salary, free onsite parking, generous flexible working arrangements and the chance to help grow our culture.

Our team

The Australian and New Zealand Governments are collaborating on a project to deliver improved positioning, navigation and timing services across both countries through a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) capability. The project, named Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN), will provide services to sectors including transport, resources, agriculture, spatial and utilities.

SouthPAN is a joint undertaking between Geoscience Australia and Land Information New Zealand, with a team comprising people from both organisations. The project will work with the prime systems integrator, providing government‑furnished elements and evidence of oversight during the establishment phase and will continue to maintain and improve the SBAS capability over its 15‑year sustainment period.

More information is available on

The role

We are looking for a Security Certification Engineer to join the SouthPAN project team. The engineer will work with the design authority, operator (Lockheed Martin) and security stakeholders to ensure certification needs are met, participate in technical reviews and verification & validation activities, and develop engineering processes for the SouthPAN security programme.

The Security Certification Engineer reports to the Engineering Manager and is part of a virtual project team across Canberra and Wellington. You will collaborate closely with specialist engineers, performance engineers, project managers, partner organisations, stakeholders and supporting functions.

In this role you will:

• Lead the program of security certification & accreditation for SouthPAN in Australia;
• Conduct security certification assurance activities, compliance inspections and stakeholder needs analysis;
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary virtual team across Australia and New Zealand;
• Perform quality assurance and technical information review activities;
• Coordinate analysis and evaluation, including complex data;
• Develop engineering processes and ensure project certification objectives are met through audits and verification activities;
• Manage relationships with stakeholders to achieve project goals, anticipate and respond to stakeholder needs and expectations;
• Report results through presentations and project reports;
• Maintain professional knowledge and continue development of skills;
• Prepare and review draft procedural or technical manuals and guidelines;
• Identify, manage and report on specialist‑related risk.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Translate high‑level goals into appropriate tasks for others;
• Show awareness of the implications of issues on your work area, identify critical information gaps and ask questions to uncover valuable information;
• Gather and investigate information and alternate viewpoints from a variety of sources through formal and informal means;
• Identify problems, assess their significance and take appropriate action to resolve them;
• Respond flexibly to changing demands while keeping sight of the end goal;
• Maintain focus on quality to achieve key outcomes, adhere to documented procedures and see tasks through to completion;
• Operate as an effective member of the virtual team, working collaboratively and cooperatively and leveraging team strengths;
• Take initiative, progress work and engage in additional tasks as required;
• Demonstrate persistence and work hard to achieve objectives;
• Structure messages clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing.

Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of systems engineering approaches for the development of complex, software‑based technology;
• A Bachelor of Engineering degree in a relevant field (highly desirable);
• Postgraduate technical qualifications relevant to the role (desirable);
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• 5 years’ experience as an engineer working on complex developmental or government procurement programmes;
• 3 years’ experience on space, satellite or aviation projects;
• Experience with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework or equivalent, secure‑by‑design engineering and security compliance;
• Experience with Global Navigation Satellite Systems, SBAS, digital signal processing, telecommunications or satellite communications technology;
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary virtual team;
• Proven communication skills with both technical and non‑technical audiences through written and verbal channels;
• Proven personal responsibility for progressing work, meeting milestones and delivering results.

We encourage candidates with the right technical skills to apply, even if their salary expectations fall outside the typical bracket. The delegate is open to considering expertise and experience for salary negotiations with the successful applicant.

Are you unsure about applying?

Many applicants feel they must meet every single requirement. If you think you have what it takes but do not meet every point on the list, please still apply or get in touch with the contact officer to learn more about the role.

To Apply

• Your resume (no more than 3 pages);
• A brief statement (no more than 1000 words) demonstrating your specific transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role.

Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e‑Recruit system.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Simon Reynolds on (02) 6249 9230 or email

To learn more about applying for roles within the Australian Public Service, please review ‘Applying for an APS job: cracking the code’.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be an Australian citizen at the closing date of application;
• The successful applicant must be able to obtain, hold and maintain a security clearance of an appropriate level for this role;
• Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre‑employment screening, including a police history check.

Recruitability

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme. Declare you have a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information, please visit the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Hearing or speech‑impaired applicants are invited to use the National Relay Service by contacting 133 677 and requesting to be connected with our Recruitment team on 02 6249 9777 to obtain selection documentation.

Technical Assistance

If you require technical assistance, call our Recruitment team on (02) 6249 9777 or email

Seniority level

• Not applicable

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Other
• Government Administration and Government Relations Services