Job Title

Birdon is passionate about innovation, in-house engineering and problem solving. We don''t shy away from a challenge; we thrive on it. A proudly Australian manufacturer and industry partner, we provide whole of life solutions to multinational defence, government, maritime, energy and resource sectors. As we continue to grow, so too does our team. We are looking for the right candidate to take on the role of Chief Engineer. This is a Full-Time role with flexibility to be based out of our offices in Port Macquarie, NSW or Henderson, WA. Position Overview The Chief Engineer (Technical Design Authority) is responsible for direction, management and oversight of Engineering Design Leads and Teams, providing engineering expertise in the delivery of key engineering design activities and processes of Birdon engineering teams and subcontracted services providers. Key Accountabilities: The key accountabilities for this role include: Lead and facilitate engineering leads and teams through the ship build design process from requirements definition and review, preliminary and detailed design, production implementation and test & acceptance phases. Examine customer requirements and lead the development, review, and approval of designs, ensuring compliance with contractual, regulatory, and technical requirements. Cultivate a clear vision for the Technical Services team, ensuring alignment with the business''s strategic objectives. Lead and inspire a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within the engineering team aligned with company values. Provide Technical Authorisation and delegation to suitably qualified and experienced personnel within the project scopes. Provide, collate and document expert guidance on naval architecture, marine engineering, systems integration, and related disciplines to support design decisions and resolve complex technical challenges. Identify, assess, and mitigate design risks to safeguard project timelines, budget, and quality objectives. Primary technical contact with external stakeholders, including naval authorities, classification societies, subcontractors, and vendors, to address design-related inquiries, resolve issues, and foster collaborative relationships. Establish and maintain design assurance processes, procedures, and standards to uphold the quality and reliability of deliverables throughout the design lifecycle. Evaluate proposed design changes, assess their impact on project scope, schedule, and cost, and facilitate their implementation in accordance with change control procedures. Ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of design decisions, rationale, and specifications to facilitate traceability, transparency, and knowledge transfer. Drive innovation and efficiency initiatives to optimize design processes, enhance productivity, and achieve project objectives more effectively. Facilitate review, approval and release of key engineering design packages, reports and artefacts. Proactively promote quality, environmental responsibility & safety within the workplace, encouraging an outcome of Birdon being a place of work by choice. Actively contribute to business development processes and activities to support the continued growth of the business. Qualifications, Experience and Skills Essential. Tertiary qualifications at degree level in a relevant engineering discipline. Chartered Professional Engineering status in relevant discipline. 10 years experience in leading teams for an engineering organisation in a relevant industry. Deep knowledge of maritime regulations, design engineering and naval architecture principles. Proactive leadership demonstrating strong technical and commercial aptitude, management and interpersonal skills. Ability to review technical documents, technical manuals, and drawings utilising industry standard tools. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions, identify work priorities and apply effective leadership in a constantly changing environment. Previous experience building capability and systems in a team in a developing organisation. Desirable. Chartered Professional Engineering status in Naval Architecture. 10 years experience in leading teams for an engineering organisation in the Defence maritime industry. Proficient in defence programs, government acquisitions and project delivery. Applied experience with military and government project documentation standards. Demonstrated ability to apply effective leadership and provide cohesive direction in uncertain environments. We deliver value for our customers through our innovative people, organisational agility, and operational excellence. As an equal opportunity employer, all positions are open to any person that may have the required characteristics and experiences. Veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information about Birdon, visit Home - Birdon.