AddressIn every aspect of the Air Force, you'll see highly advanced technology and electronics systems. The aircraft, electronics and computers all run on sophisticated electronics systems - that's what makes this role so crucial. It is the role of the Electronics Engineer and their team to ensure all the electronics systems are in place and operational, allowing the Air Force to function smoothly.
What you'll do
This is a leadership role where you'll manage a team of highly trained technicians. Together, you'll service, maintain and sustain a range of electronics and systems on aircraft that allow them to fly, as well as the computers and systems that allow aircraft to communicate with other aircraft and teams.
There are two streams to this role, Aviation or Networks:
Electronics Engineer - Aviation:
In this stream you are mainly responsible for the avionics (electronics and internal systems) on aircraft that allow them to fly. This includes a range of systems including power generation and distribution, radar and navigation, surveillance, electronic control, mission, communications, and electronic warfare.
Electronics Engineer - Networks:
This stream focuses mainly on the IT & network equipment that helps the Air Force stay connected within the organisation, and to others. It's your duty to ensure every aircraft in the sky and all the personnel and equipment on the ground can communicate regardless of location. In some circumstances, this will also include working with the wider Defence Force to ensure Air Force aircraft and personnel can communicate with Navy ships and Army tanks.
While your day-to-day work will vary depending on which stream you are in, both have plenty of similarities in the type of tasks involved. These include:
- Operational Engineering - Lead skilled technicians at an operational Air Base to maintain and configure Air Force equipment for daily missions.
- Sustainment Engineering - Work alongside defence industry to modify, upgrade and ensure the continued effectiveness of our Air Force equipment.
- Project Engineering - Apply a variety of project and engineering management skills to acquire and introduce new Air Force aircraft and equipment that suits Australia's needs.
- Safety Engineering - Influence aviation safety by investigating technical incidents and managing workforce standards such as training and qualifications.
- Any Officer Roles - Broaden your officer skills through roles such as training and staff officer positions to prepare you for higher command responsibilities.
Training and Career progression
We'll give you the knowledge you need to start your career in Electronics Engineering. After you complete Initial Officer Training most engineers undertake a Professional Development and Training (PD&T) year during which time you'll rotate and explore different roles on an Air Force base every few months. Your Initial Employment Training (IET) will also occur during this period. At the completion of this you'll start a formal position and continue to rotate around new roles approximately every 3 years to gain the depth and breadth of experience required to develop you as a competent engineering leader with increasing levels of responsibility along the way.
As part of your role, you'll also have the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications and experience, such as becoming a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) in the Leadership and Management College of Engineers Australia (EA).
Career progression will depend on which stream you join, but regardless you'll end up with a fulfilling career with plenty of potential for growth and opportunity.
For Electronics Engineer - Aviation: You could end up specialising in electronic warfare, avionics systems design, or aircraft capability acquisition.
For Electronics Engineer - Networks: Your areas of expertise will mean you'll specialise in more cyber-related functions such as telecommunications, satellites and space, information systems, or cyber capability acquisition.
Additional Information
This is not your typical Electronics Engineer role. In the Air Force, you’ll be given a breadth of experience and opportunities to work on things that you couldn’t otherwise in the civilian world — including state-of-the-art defence networks, satellites, aircraft, space capabilities, and communications.
Take your opportunity to put your passion for Electronics Engineering to use in an exciting and rewarding career. Not only will this job give you exposure to world-class training and mentoring opportunities exclusive to the Air Force, but you'll also be actively helping to protect our country — you'll be hard-pressed to find this type of opportunity anywhere else.
In-service Information
In the Air Force this role is known as either:
Electronics Engineer - Aviation (ELECTR-AV)
Electronics Engineer - Networks (ELECTR-NET)
