Brunel Defence is partnering with a leading global defence shipbuilder and sovereign maritime capability provider to appoint an Integrated Product Support (IPS) Engineering Manager to support the delivery of critical naval shipbuilding programs for the Australian Defence Force.
This organisation is a recognised strategic shipbuilder delivering complex vessel design, construction, and sustainment programs across Australia and internationally. With long-term defence agreements in place and a strong pipeline of future programs, this role presents an opportunity to contribute to nationally significant projects that strengthen Australia's sovereign defence capability.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing and governing IPS Engineering capability across enterprise-level shipbuilding programs, ensuring supportability is embedded into platform design and sustainment strategies from the outset.
The Opportunity
As the Integrated Product Support Engineering Manager, you will lead the IPS Engineering function across strategic defence shipbuilding programs, ensuring supportability, maintainability, and lifecycle sustainment objectives are achieved through structured engineering and logistics frameworks.
You will act as the principal advisor on IPS Engineering matters, establishing enterprise strategy, standards, and governance while leading the IPS Engineering community of practice. Working closely with engineering, sustainment, and program stakeholders, you will ensure supportability-by-design is integrated across both mission and support systems.
This role operates at an enterprise level, providing strategic leadership while supporting individual shipbuilding programs through dedicated IPS Engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
* Establish and govern IPS Engineering strategy, frameworks, and standards across defence shipbuilding programs
* Lead and develop the IPS Engineering community of practice across the organisation
* Ensure supportability-by-design principles are embedded across platform design and sustainment activities
* Oversee IPS Engineering elements including Design Interface, Sustaining Engineering, Support Equipment, and Maintenance Planning
* Act as principal advisor on IPS Engineering matters to senior IPS and program leadership
* Ensure maintenance and sustainment strategies align with lifecycle supportability objectives
* Integrate IPS Engineering disciplines with broader IPS Elements and program delivery functions
* Ensure traceability between engineering decisions, sustainment outcomes, and lifecycle objectives
* Support the delivery of IPS artefacts in accordance with Australian Defence acquisition and sustainment standards
* Mentor and develop IPS Engineering professionals across multiple defence programs
Skills and Experience
Essential
* Degree qualification in Engineering or related discipline
* Minimum 10 years' experience in Integrated Product Support (IPS) or Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) within complex defence, maritime, or land system environments
* Minimum 5 years' experience in an engineering leadership or management role
* Proven experience delivering IPS artefacts in accordance with Australian Defence standards including DEF(AUST) frameworks and ASDEFCON environments
* Strong experience in maintenance and supportability engineering, including RCM, LORA, RAM, and sustainment analysis
* Experience developing maintenance management plans and sustainment procedures
* Ability to lead engineering teams and coordinate cross-program resources
* Must hold or be eligible to obtain a Baseline Australian Government Security Clearance
Desirable
* Postgraduate qualifications in Systems Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Logistics, Sustainment, or related discipline
* Experience working within maritime defence shipbuilding or sustainment environments
* Familiarity with Defence technical data standards and specifications, including S-Series standards such as S1000D
* Experience implementing obsolescence management, condition-based maintenance, and sustainment optimisation strategies
* Experience establishing and leading communities of practice within engineering or sustainment functions
If you are open to learning more, or are looking to explore opportunities within the defence industry, please contact Ben on