ASC is Australia’s submarine company. We built the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines, sustain them, and are now delivering their Life of Type Extension to increase the boats’ service lives. We have also been selected by the Australian Government to sustain and jointly build the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines – the largest and most complex industrial undertaking in Australia’s history.

Our work is interesting and meaningful, contributing directly to Australia’s national security. We offer rewarding roles that provide the opportunity to grow your career, and the flexibility to balance life and work. A career at ASC is like no other, delivering a deeper purpose we can all be proud of.

About the Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia's most significant and complex submarine capability programs.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Program Director will be accountable for successfully driving the Collins Class Life of Type Extension (LOTE) program into its future state, ensuring Australia maintains a safe, capable and operational submarine fleet for decades to come.

Operating at the intersection of engineering, program delivery and strategic decision-making, you will lead a highly experienced network of technical specialists, program leaders and stakeholders to solve complex challenges associated with sustaining an ageing platform in a highly regulated defence environment. You will be responsible for balancing schedule, cost, capability and risk considerations, making critical decisions where information is incomplete and ensuring the program remains focused on successful delivery outcomes.

This is a genuine career-defining opportunity to leave a lasting legacy on Australia's sovereign submarine capability and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Collins Class sustainment. The focus is delivery excellence, not business development, providing a rare opportunity to concentrate on solving complex engineering and capability challenges at scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Collins Class Life of Type Extension program into its future sustainment model.
• Provide strategic leadership across complex engineering, maintenance and sustainment activities to achieve capability, schedule and cost objectives.
• Make informed, risk-based decisions in complex and uncertain environments, balancing technical, commercial and program delivery outcomes.
• Drive the resolution of significant engineering, workforce and capability challenges associated with sustaining an ageing submarine platform.
• Align and integrate stakeholders across engineering, operations, supply chain, maintenance and customer organisations to deliver program objectives.
• Establish clear program priorities, monitor progress and intervene decisively when risks threaten delivery outcomes.
• Build credibility and influence within a highly experienced technical environment, fostering collaboration while maintaining accountability for results.

About you 

• Extensive experience leading large-scale maritime, sustainment or complex engineering programs within Defence environments.
• Demonstrated success delivering outcomes on ageing or legacy platforms where operational availability, safety and capability are critical.
• Strong commercial and program leadership capability, with the ability to make difficult decisions involving competing schedule, cost and technical priorities.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity, exercising sound judgement when information is incomplete or evolving.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the credibility to lead experienced technical and operational teams.
• Experience managing significant program risks, workforce challenges and strategic delivery issues within complex organisations.
• Tertiary qualifications in Engineering or a related discipline

Eligibility

This role requires a current National Police Clearance and an Australian Defence Security Clearance. Your eligibility for this role is dependent on you obtaining and maintaining such clearance.

To check your eligibility please visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.

Benefits

• Unique and challenging work with a deeper purpose.
• Flexibility over how, when and where you work for the best work/life balance.
• Up to 10 days additional leave every year so you can rest and recharge.
• Generous parental leave so you can give your family the focus it deserves.
• Subsidised childcare to ease the financial pressure on your family.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives so you can perform at your best at work.
• Professional development opportunities to advance your career.
• A diverse and supportive environment where you can thrive.
• Discounts and exclusive offers from leading Australian brands to help you save.

About ASC

Established in 1985, ASC’s 2500-plus staff offer a depth of submarine design, project management, supply chain, construction and engineering experience and expertise that is unparalleled in Australia’s defence industry. The company’s work on Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine build and the Collins Class Life of Type Extension takes place in Osborne, South Australia, with sustainment shared across Osborne and Henderson, Western Australia. ASC also plays a leading role in training Royal Australian Navy submariners.

Apply today for a career with a deeper purpose.

Early applications are encouraged as shortlisting may commence immediately.