Project Manager (Mission Systems)

About the role

Southern Launch, Australia's leading spaceport operator, is looking for a Project Manager (Mission Systems) to lead the coordinated delivery of engineering projects across its mission systems, instrumentation, tracking, telemetry, communications and associated technical infrastructure. Reporting to the General Manager – Mission Engineering, the role translates approved engineering requirements into structured delivery plans, coordinating schedules, budgets, procurement, suppliers, risks, dependencies and integration activities. It works closely with specialist engineers and Infrastructure Project Managers so that engineering capabilities and their supporting physical infrastructure are delivered in a coordinated, operationally effective way.

Key responsibilities

• Manage mission systems engineering projects from initiation and planning through procurement, integration, verification, commissioning and operational handover.
• Translate approved capability requirements into project scopes, deliverables, schedules, budgets and acceptance criteria.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans covering engineering activities, procurement lead times, supplier deliverables and operational milestones.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage procurement and supplier relationships for specialist equipment, software, engineering services and technical systems.
• Track costs, forecasts, schedules, risks, issues and dependencies, and report and escalate to stakeholders.
• Coordinate technical and delivery interfaces between mission systems, communications, instrumentation, software and supporting infrastructure.
• Work with Infrastructure Project Managers on enabling works, equipment installation, utilities, communications and site readiness.
• Facilitate engineering reviews, integration planning and system testing, verification, validation and commissioning.
• Manage project changes and their impact on scope, cost, schedule, technical dependencies and acceptance.
• Maintain project documentation, decision records, risk and action registers and governance artefacts.
• Coordinate operational readiness, acceptance and transition, including technical documentation, maintenance arrangements and support processes.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, project management or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering, technology or systems integration projects across multiple technical disciplines.
• Experience developing schedules, budgets, procurement plans, risk registers and delivery reporting.
• Ability to coordinate engineers, suppliers and stakeholders while owning project outcomes.
• Understanding of technical integration, testing, verification, commissioning and operational acceptance.
• Strong communication, planning and problem-solving skills; preferred: experience in aerospace, defence, aviation, telecommunications or industrial technology.

Required skills

• Preferred: PMP, PRINCE2, AIPM or equivalent project management qualification.
• Preferred: familiarity with systems engineering lifecycles, requirements traceability, configuration management and technical assurance.
• Preferred: experience with project planning tools, procurement systems, cost tracking and integrated delivery schedules.
• Security clearance: applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance through the AGSVA.