It’s a sector that’s bursting at the seams with opportunity; South Australia’s defence industry is creating jobs, driving investment, and supporting the state’s economic transformation.
But a career in defence industry doesn’t mean being in the Defence Force.
Defence industry is the backbone of major Defence projects and facilities, like $90 billion of continuous naval shipbuilding for the Royal Australian Navy with a lifespan of more than 50 years.
The options are vast, from combat systems engineering to project management; Information Technology to manufacturing; supply chain to marketing and communications. There’s much more to the defence industry than you might think.
HERE'S A SNAPSHOT...
50Years of work
4.5%Sector growth target
1.5%of South Australian jobs
Key Defence Industry Sectors
Whether you are at school, or about to finish school, there are a wide range of study options and career pathways to help you find your place in the defence industry. This might be via university, vocational or trade options.
Have a look at the following key industry sector pages to learn more about the types of roles and pathways in defence industry, and meet some of the young professionals working in each sector.
Naval shipbuilding
There has never been a better time to consider your career in one of South Australia’s fastest-growing industries, with work in naval shipbuilding set to span at least three decades.
Modern shipbuilding is more than working with sheets of metal in shipyards. It’s highly technical and incorporates cutting edge engineering, technology and systems to ensure the ships and submarines are invisible to attack, can detect threats and ensure the safety of the crew on board.
In the coming years, Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Industry is going to need people with lots of different skills to work in a wide range of roles – from city-based office roles to hands-on positions in the shipyards.
TAFE SA and South Australia’s three leading universities are great places to start when it comes to getting the qualifications you need to dive into a career in naval shipbuilding.
Learn more about the types of roles and pathways to a career in shipbuilding from some inspiring South Australian defence industry employees.
Image: The Hunter class frigates represent the biggest surface shipbuilding project in Australia’s shipbuilding history.Image courtesy of BAE Systems ASC Shipbuilding.
Systems and Cyber
South Australia is extremely important to the future of Australia’s defence surveillance capabilities.
The state is home to a diverse and highly skilled industry base of prime contractors and small-to-medium enterprises who are delivering solutions in systems and cyber for major defence projects.
RAAF base Edinburgh is also home to a series of highly complex systems for information warfare, including the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Triton and Reaper unmanned aerial systems, special purpose electronic warfare aircraft, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, and space surveillance systems.
In South Australia, we’re well placed to respond to a growing need for increased systems and cyber capability.
We are working to become the central nervous system of the nation by building a critical mass of knowledge, workers and industry, meaning the opportunities for you in this sector are endless!
Learn more about the types of roles and pathways to a career in shipbuilding from some inspiring South Australian defence industry employees.
Image: Triton unmanned aircraft system. Image courtesy of Northrop Grumman.
Space
South Australia has a rapidly growing space innovation ecosystem and is well placed to become Australia’s hub for future space industry development.
Already home to more than 80 space-related organisations, South Australia is committed to strategies that grow the local industry and increase research and development collaboration, as well as international engagement.
The program helps students gain an understanding of the skills and qualifications that may apply in the space industry, as well as networking opportunities to inspire space-focused STEM careers.
Learn more about the types of roles and pathways to a career in the space industry from some inspiring South Australian defence industry employees.
Careers in defence industry support projects delivered by the Department of Defence through the Australian Defence Force.
The defence industry in South Australia is made up of hundreds of businesses that use their skills and expertise to supply and support the Defence Force’s efforts in defending our way of life.
There are a huge range of career options in defence industry, not limited to the possibilities listed here. Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more.
Project and Business Management
This might include the following roles:
Program/Project Administrator/Manager
Marketing Specialist
Contract Administrator
Purchasing Officer
Estimator
Production Manager
Supervisor
Product Quality Controller
Intelligence Analyst
Quality Analyst
Planner
Scheduler
Purchasing Officer/Manager
Subcontracts Administrator/Manager
Legal Adviser
Finance Manager
Design and Engineering
This might include the following roles:
Industrial Designer
Systems Designer
Architectural Draftsperson
Test and Activation Engineer
Production Engineer
Software Engineer
Systems Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Combat Systems Engineer
Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
This might include the following roles:
Software and Applications Programmer
ICT Support Technician
ICT Security Specialist
ICT Systems Analyst
Communications Technician
Electronics Technician
Operations and Trades
This might include the following roles:
Boat Builder
Shipwright
Structural Steel and Welding Tradesperson
Sheet Metal Tradesperson
Metal Fitter and Machinist Electrician
Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Carpenter and Joiner
Glazier
Painting Tradesperson
Motor Mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Crane Operator
Truck Driver
Trades Assistant
Commercial Cleaner
Store Person
Trade Management/Supervision
Mechanical Operations Tradesperson
Electrical Operations Tradesperson
Piping Operations Tradesperson
Light Fabrication Tradesperson
Heavy Fabrication Tradesperson
Welding Operations Tradesperson
Our People
ROZANNE | Senior Financial Accountant
Rozanne’s work as an accountant didn’t really pique much interest from people until she started working in the defence industry.
Now, her day-to-day involves working with a vast range of people on financing long-term defence projects, such as manufacturing batteries for submarines. For Rozanne, no two days are ever the same.
Rozanne’s role allows her to overcome complex challenges, investigate new technologies and investment opportunities and make strategic financial decisions for the future.
Rozanne can also see the exciting opportunities for career progression and job security that South Australia’s growing defence industry provides.
Rozanne is a Senior Financial Accountant at PMB Defence.
CHRISTIAN | Graduate Software Engineer
Christian completed his work experience with Silentium Defence before taking on a full-time role with the company as a Software Engineer upon finishing his studies.
For Christian, working in the defence industry is never boring. From creating software solutions for passive radar systems to developing and field testing new and innovative technologies, it is definitely not your average desk job.
Christian recognises the potential for development and career growth with so many great companies making up the South Australian defence industry.
RHYS | Combat System Platform Integration Interface Manager
After nearly a decade in the Royal Australian Navy, Rhys transitioned his skills as an Electronics Technician into a career in the defence industry.
For Rhys, there is great satisfaction in working on projects that are tied to national security and improving the safety and quality of life for members of the Defence force.
Working in the defence industry allows him to be part of a diverse team responsible for delivering projects that serve a greater purpose.
Being part of the South Australian defence industry means taking pride in delivering successful projects and growing the state’s capability.
Rhys is currently working as a Combat System Platform Integration Interface Manager at Naval Group Australia.
TRENT | Senior Systems Engineer
Trent entered the defence industry as an engineering graduate and hasn’t looked back since.
Beginning his career working on the Collins class submarines and Air Warfare Destroyer programs, he has worked with platform and combat system integrators to ensure the functionality, operational needs and suitability of some of the Royal Australian Navy’s biggest assets.
Trent loves how refreshingly diverse the industry is and that he gets to work with people of varying ages, backgrounds, skills and aspirations from across defence industry, Government and the Australian Defence Force.
Trent is a Senior Systems Engineer with Nova Systems.
Roxanne tells us what she loves about her career in Integrated Logistics Support
All Videos
Want a Career in Australia's BOOMING Defence Industry? In this episode of Exploring Careers, we chat with Chris from BAE Systems Australia and Josh from Saab Australia about the career opportunities available in Australia's defence industry.
Space, cyber, systems and shipbuilding: discover defence industry
In this episode, we discuss a day in the life of defence industry employees, Jayden and Georgia!
Rebecca had a chat about the amazing careers available in the defence industry with Reg Carruthers, Executive Director of Defence and Space at Defence SA.
Rebecca discusses working in the defence industry as a Combat and Automation Systems Engineer
Matthew tells us about working as a Mechanical Engineer in South Australia’s defence industry
Andrew shares his pathway to becoming an Operations Manager in defence industry
Jamila talks about finding meaningful work in the defence industry
Dhiren discusses the career opportunities available in the defence industry
Joisbel talks about the advantages of a defence industry career in engineering
Kyal describes his experience as a digital specialist in South Australia’s defence industry
Zac talks about transitioning from the ADF to the defence industry
Kim tells us how she found her place as a Systems Engineer in South Australia’s defence industry
South Australia – The Defence State
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Space, cyber, systems and shipbuilding: discover defence industry
Discover a hi-tech, fast-paced industry with decades of opportunity
June 9, 2021 |
Free
t’s time to set the record straight: the defence industry is not the same as the Defence Force. So, what is it? It’s a dynamic, fast-growing hi-tech industry that supports defence projects with jobs in areas like space, cybersecurity, shipbuilding, big data and information warfare. Better still, the pipeline of jobs in South Australia is set to carry across decades.
