About the OpportunityAs the Lead Mechanical Engineer for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you’ll be responsible for oversee all aspects of the Mechanical Engineering team, providing strong leadership, coaching, and technical direction. Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to deliver engineering solutions that meet operational requirements, comply with industry standards and align with project objectives. About AustalAustal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam. Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers. Learn more at austal.com/ssaThis is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now. What’s Involved Examining customer requirements and leading the development, design and integration activities ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and technical requirementsProviding lead and technical guidance on mechanical engineering, marine engineering, systems integration, and related disciplines to support design decisions and resolution of complex technical challengesPlanning and monitoring day to day and future work of the mechanical engineering team locally and interstate, to progress deliverables to scheduleMonitoring and highlighting roadblocks, risks and schedule impacts, implementing mitigation measures and escalating as requiredReviewing and assisting mechanical engineering SMEs in the generation of scope of works for equipment and servicesDriving project completionManaging and coaching the team to ensure performance, productivity and priorities to meet project deadlines and company strategiesReviewing and assisting SMEs and be competent in preparing design drawings, including calculations and schematicsOngoing design support for production, commissioning and deliveryYou’ll Need Bachelor of EngineeringAdvanced AutoCAD skillsIntermediate to Advanced Microsoft Office skills, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint3D design review experience highly regardedMinimum 5 years’ experience in shipbuilding, marine engineering or complex multidisciplinary engineering projectsLeadership experience in the above fields highly regardedA positive attitude and desire to work in and further build a growing cohesive multidisciplinary defence shipbuilding teamEligibility for a Defence Security Clearance Why Join Us?Competitive compensation and benefits package.Professional development and training opportunities.A supportive and dynamic work environment.Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia AUD Fremantle 6160

Lead Mechanical Engineer

About the Opportunity

As the Lead Mechanical Engineer for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you’ll be responsible for oversee all aspects of the Mechanical Engineering team, providing strong leadership, coaching, and technical direction. Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to deliver engineering solutions that meet operational requirements, comply with industry standards and align with project objectives.

About Austal

Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What’s Involved

  • Examining customer requirements and leading the development, design and integration activities ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and technical requirements
  • Providing lead and technical guidance on mechanical engineering, marine engineering, systems integration, and related disciplines to support design decisions and resolution of complex technical challenges
  • Planning and monitoring day to day and future work of the mechanical engineering team locally and interstate, to progress deliverables to schedule
  • Monitoring and highlighting roadblocks, risks and schedule impacts, implementing mitigation measures and escalating as required
  • Reviewing and assisting mechanical engineering SMEs in the generation of scope of works for equipment and services
  • Driving project completion
  • Managing and coaching the team to ensure performance, productivity and priorities to meet project deadlines and company strategies
  • Reviewing and assisting SMEs and be competent in preparing design drawings, including calculations and schematics
  • Ongoing design support for production, commissioning and delivery

You’ll Need

  • Bachelor of Engineering
  • Advanced AutoCAD skills
  • Intermediate to Advanced Microsoft Office skills, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • 3D design review experience highly regarded
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience in shipbuilding, marine engineering or complex multidisciplinary engineering projects
  • Leadership experience in the above fields highly regarded
  • A positive attitude and desire to work in and further build a growing cohesive multidisciplinary defence shipbuilding team
  • Eligibility for a Defence Security Clearance

Why Join Us?

  • Competitive compensation and benefits package.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • A supportive and dynamic work environment.
  • Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia

  • Posted Date 22 Apr 2026
  • Location Fremantle
    WA / Australia
  • Industry Engineering
  • Job Type Full Time
  • Salary Not provided