As back‑to‑back winners of the 2023 and 2024 Defence Innovator of the Year, DefendTex lives and breathes its values of integrity, innovation, professionalism, passion and calculated risk‑taking.
Our vision is to be a world leader in defence innovation, developing and delivering cutting‑edge technologies for military and law‑enforcement communities across the globe.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Senior Research Engineer / Scientist to join our growing Propulsion Manufacturing team at DefendTex's Dandenong South Facility initially, then moving to our state‑of‑the‑art Solid Rocket Motor Manufacturing Facility in Lang Lang, Victoria.
Based in this dynamic and rapidly growing regional location, the role offers the unique opportunity to contribute directly to Australia's sovereign energetic‑materials and propulsion manufacturing capability - while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of regional living within commuting distance of Melbourne's south‑eastern corridor.
About the Role
As a Senior Research Engineer / Scientist, you will lead the research, development, and pilot‑scale production of ammonium perchlorate (AP) through controlled plasma‑assisted and electrochemical processes. You will be responsible for designing reactors, optimising plasma and hybrid oxidation systems, developing analytical methods, and delivering scale‑up packages that underpin our next‑generation propellant manufacturing capability.
You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure safe, compliant, high‑performance production processes within a complex energetic‑materials environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Design, build and commission laboratory and pilot‑scale reactors for chloride/chlorate → perchlorate conversion using non‑thermal plasma technologies (DBD, gliding arc, corona) and hybrid plasma–electrochemical systems.
* Optimise operating parameters and reactor internals to maximise ClO₄⁻ yield, energy efficiency, and process stability while minimising by‑products.
* Integrate gas‑phase plasma systems with liquid‑phase capture, crystallisation, ion‑exchange purification, and downstream electrochemical polishing.
* Develop and validate analytical protocols for oxy‑chlorine species (IC, ClOx/NOx gas analysis, TOC, pH, conductivity).
* Perform energy modelling, techno‑economic assessments, and scale‑up planning, identifying risks and mitigations.
* Lead safety documentation including SOPs, HAZOP inputs, oxidiser‑handling controls, emissions management and regulatory notifications.
* Supervise technicians and junior engineers; liaise with vendors, external labs, and engineering partners for equipment procurement, pilot build and commissioning.
About You
You are an experienced plasma, electrochemical, or chemical engineer/scientist who thrives in a hands‑on environment and enjoys tackling complex, first‑of‑kind technical challenges. You combine strong experimental capability with rigorous data analysis, safety leadership, and the drive to bring new energetic‑materials processes from lab concept to manufacturing reality.
Essential:
· BSc or MSc with minimum 5 years' experience in relevant role, or PhD in plasma chemistry/engineering, electrochemistry, chemical engineering, or related discipline.
· Hands‑on experience operating non‑thermal plasma reactors (DBD, gliding arc, corona) and/or electrochemical chlorate/perchlorate systems.
· Strong analytical laboratory experience with ion chromatography and reactive chlorine species.
· Experience with mass/energy balances, scale‑up methodology, corrosive‑service materials selection, and P&IDs.
· Demonstrated experience writing SOPs, contributing to HAZOPs, and managing oxidiser‑related emissions and waste streams.
· Strong experimental design, data analysis, and technical reporting skills.
· Eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Explosives Licence and Defence Security Clearance.
Desirable:
· Experience converting chloride, sodium/potassium brines into chlorate/perchlorate at lab or pilot scale.
· Familiarity with catalyst/packing materials for packed‑bed DBD reactors or plasma‑enhanced catalytic systems.
· Experience delivering pilot‑scale or process‑scale demonstrations.
Why Us?
· Competitive remuneration.
· Impactful work contributing to Australia's sovereign defence capability.
· Rare opportunity in a state‑of‑the‑art energetic‑materials manufacturing facility.
· Professional development and leadership growth pathways.
· Supportive, innovative engineering culture.
· Located near Victoria's Bass Coast—enjoy regional and coastal living with city access.
At DefendTex, we are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. We promote a workplace culture that values innovation, integrity, and collaboration – where every individual can contribute to meaningful, world-class defence solutions.
Interested?
If you're ready to take on a key engineering role shaping the future of Australia's defence technology, we'd love to hear from you.