We're partnering with a well-established Defence prime delivering an advanced weapon system to the Australian Defence Force. They're expanding their manufacturing operations and need a proactive, experienced Manufacturing Engineer to join their Melbourne-based team and transition to their Avalon facility over time. They're seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer who's been in the thick of complex system builds - someone who understands what it takes to manage hundreds of moving parts and still deliver to spec, on time.
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT
This is not a cog-in-the-machine job. You'll be a central part of a cross-functional team ensuring production is seamless, quality is top-tier, and delivery is on time. You'll have the autonomy to drive improvements and the support to succeed in a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
YOUR MISSION
- Bridge the gap between product development and full-scale production
- Develop and refine production processes, tooling and documentation
- Troubleshoot manufacturing issues and lead root cause analysis
- Approve engineering changes from a production readiness lens
- Collaborate with vendors, suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Drive improvements in quality, efficiency, and compliance
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- You're not babysat - you're backed. Supportive leadership, no handholding
- Join a program at the tipping point between development and production
- Be mentored by a seasoned leader with aerospace and Defence manufacturing experience
- Work on cutting-edge technology in a high-stakes environment
- Start in Melbourne CBD with a transition to Avalon as operations grow
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Degree-qualified engineer (mechanical, manufacturing, electrical or similar)
- 5+ years in manufacturing engineering within the Defence or aerospace sector
- Demonstrated experience managing complex build environments with many components
- Comfortable juggling lots of components, processes, and suppliers
- Strong knowledge of quality control, continuous improvement and technical documentation
- Proficient in CAD, PLM, ERP and production systems
- NV1 clearance and ITAR eligibility required
- Lean Six Sigma certification desirable
THE COMPANY
This Defence prime supports national security through innovation, engineering excellence and mission-critical delivery. They're entering a new production phase and are building out a high-performing team at their Avalon facility to support upcoming delivery milestones.
READY TO APPLY?
This is a priority role, and interviews are underway. If you're a Manufacturing Engineer ready to take charge and thrive in a build-heavy environment, we'd love to chat.
ABOUT KINEXUS
Kinexus has been connecting skilled professionals with Australia's largest Defence projects for over 24 years, delivering meaningful careers and supporting national capability.
All applications should include your resume as a word document. For more information, visit our website, www.kinexus.com.au or contact Toby Wright on 0457 021 490 #LI-TW1
