The Role

The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

The SSN-AUKUS Acquisition Branch of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) seeks an expert, motivated, Build Test and Evaluation (T&E) Director to join our Adelaide team. The Build Test & Evaluation Director is responsible for assuring the construction of Australia’s SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring they meet the standards of the Australian Nuclear Regulator, RAN and AUKUS partners.

The Build Test & Evaluation Director will lead the design, implementation and management of the SSN-AUKUS Build Quality, Test and Assurance Systems. You will develop close relationships with the Branch’s Program Delivery Director and Engineering Director to coordinate build, test and evaluation activities to construct Australia’s SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines.

About our Team

The SSN-AUKUS Acquisition Branch is the ASA’s program delivery and contractual authority for the construction and delivery of Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines. The Branch is accountable for managing, in consultation with Australia’s AUKUS partners and the Australian Shipbuilder, the most appropriate program delivery model and construction methodology, including:

• Collaborating with industry partners to ensure alignment and successful delivery of required program outcomes;
• Build Assurance and quality management of the SSN-AUKUS Build Program;
• Defining production related infrastructure requirements;
• Facilitating and assuring the supply chain solution;
• Developing and implementing workforce generation initiatives;
• Managing overall Build Program scheduling and cost estimation; and
• Providing strategic advice to Government on program progress and related matters.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a dynamic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

The ideal candidate for this role will have vast knowledge of and significant leadership experience in ship or submarine construction. They will bring the following attributes and skills to the role:

• Extensive production environment leadership experience, preferably within Naval Shipyards or similar;
• Experience working in multinational teams and in building and maintaining high performing teams over long periods;
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to negotiate and collaborate in support of cultivating productive working relationships;
• The ability to actively support a team-based, performance-focused culture with the capacity to work effectively as part of a team or autonomously;
• An outcome focused mindset that achieves results and demonstrates excellent attention to detail;
• A positive, motivated, and organised attitude capable of achieving outstanding results whilst establishing the newly formed team’s footprint within the branch;
• Understand, demonstrate and model a strong understanding of the Nuclear Mindset.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 12 October 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASA/07699/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=21D2948B-E352-6091-F51A-E43696670E2E