Operational Maintenance and Support Manager

Our client, a leading Australian-owned Defence systems engineering company, is seeking an Operational Maintenance and Support Manager to lead integrated support, maintenance, and logistics for critical Defence capabilities. Based in Adelaide or Newcastle, you will manage a geographically dispersed technical team to ensure the operational readiness, safety, and reliability of vital communications, simulation, and training systems.

Experience Needed

• 5+ years of experience managing operational maintenance, sustainment, or support services for complex Defence systems.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary technical teams and field service operations.
• Experience supporting Communications, Command and Control, Simulation, Training, or Mission Systems environments.
• Strong understanding of Defence sustainment frameworks, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) principles, and maintenance management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end operational and maintenance support delivery for complex fixed and deployable communications, simulation, and training systems.
• Manage and coordinate scheduled, preventative, corrective, and reactive maintenance activities to ensure maximum system availability and operational readiness.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate a multidisciplinary workforce of technical specialists and field service representatives across various operational sites.
• Act as the primary sustainment interface with Commonwealth Defence representatives, building trusted relationships and participating in governance forums.
• Oversee Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) activities throughout the product lifecycle, including sparing, inventory, and obsolescence management.
• Drive the achievement of allocated budgets, service-level agreements (SLAs), and contractual performance KPIs.
• Coordinate technical investigations, root cause analysis, and system upgrade activities.
• Ensure all maintenance and support operations strictly comply with quality, safety, security, and Defence regulatory standards.

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Engineering, Electronics, Logistics, IT, or a related discipline.
• Australian Citizenship is strictly required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Defence Security Clearance at a minimum NV1 level (NV2 is highly desirable).
• Ability to travel domestically as required to support customer operations, exercises, and deployed activities.

The candidate must be an Australian citizen and be eligible to obtain a security clearance or have a NV1 or Baseline Security Clearance.

If you're successful, you’ll join a collaborative team of highly experienced and talented professionals. If this role sounds enticing to you, please do not hesitate to apply now or send Rohan an email at Rohan.cantleysmith@randstad.com.au

Ref/RANDEF

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.