Date: Aug 19, 2026
Location: Perth, Western AUS, Western Australia, Australia
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Company: HII's Mission Technologies division
Requisition Number: 29068
Required Travel: 11 - 25%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $114,717.00 - $170,000.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Senior
This opportunity resides with Global Security (GS). Mission Technologies’ Global Security (GS) group comprises live, virtual, constructive (LVC) solutions; fleet sustainment; nuclear and environmental; and Australia business.
As a trusted partner to our military customers, HII designs, develops and operates the largest LVC enterprise that prepares warfighters for cross-domain battle. With advanced technologies to enable mission readiness, HII understands that preparation requires full coordination—not readiness in piece-parts.
For more than 40 years, the U.S. Navy has entrusted HII to maintain and modernize the vast majority of its fleet. With a holistic approach to life-cycle maritime defense systems—from small watercraft to submarines, surface combatants and aircraft carriers—HII ensures a high state of readiness.
HII supports the Department of Energy’s national security mission through the management and operation of its sites, as well as the safe cleanup of legacy waste across the country. HII meets clients’ toughest nuclear and environmental challenges.
Leadership Mindset at HII – Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every employee grows, leads, and contributes—regardless of role. It sets the standard for how you can develop yourself and what you can expect from leaders across our organization. We look for candidates who want to grow in alignment with these capabilities:
Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success.
Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve.
Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose.
These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Summary
HII-Australia is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join the team! This position will be located in Henderson (Perth), Western Australia.
Drive the uplift of Australia’s defence manufacturing capability through high‑stakes supplier audits and maturity assessments. Influence program outcomes by applying deep technical judgement across investigations, risk assessments and assurance activities.
Extensive experience within the US or UK Naval Nuclear enterprise, applying technical or engineering expertise in high‑integrity, safety‑critical environments.
Deep working knowledge of MILSPECs and NAVSEA requirements, including SUBSAFE and nuclear‑classified component standards.
Proven subject‑matter expertise in nuclear‑related manufacturing disciplines such as weld engineering, machining, forging/casting and advanced manufacturing processes.
About you:
You are a seasoned engineering or manufacturing professional who thrives in complex, high‑accountability environments where technical excellence and disciplined execution matter. You bring a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supplier capability and engineering governance, and you know how to apply that knowledge to real‑world challenges with clarity, confidence and sound judgement.
You are comfortable leading supplier assessments, guiding corrective action programs and shaping the maturity of supply chains through rigorous assessment, coaching and continuous improvement. You have a natural ability to mentor others, share knowledge and elevate the capability of the people around you. You take pride in being a trusted technical authority who can interpret standards, assess risk and make informed decisions across the engineering lifecycle.
You communicate with transparency and respect, building strong working relationships across teams, suppliers and stakeholders. You are motivated by purpose and aligned to values that emphasise integrity, accountability, safety and excellence. You understand the importance of a nuclear‑minded safety culture and bring a disciplined, detail‑driven approach to every task. You are proactive in identifying hazards, resolving issues and maintaining a safe working environment for yourself and others. You are adaptable and prepared for frequent interstate travel, with the flexibility to support overseas engagements when required. Above all, you are committed to continuous learning, professional growth and contributing to a culture where people support one another and deliver with pride.
Key Responsibilities:
Play a pivotal role in strengthening supplier capability, ensuring compliance and embedding technical excellence across our programs.
Lead and support manufacturing and services supplier onboarding assessments and guide the development of corrective actions that uplift manufacturing maturity and ensure suppliers meet contractual and technical requirements.
Plan and execute independent assurance activities, maintain accurate audit records and contribute to program reviews with clear, evidence‑based engineering insight.
Your work will directly influence procurement decisions, operational planning and the integration of technical requirements across the supply chain.
Conduct complex investigations, apply engineering judgement to resolve issues and produce high‑quality technical documentation that supports through‑life knowledge capture.
Lead discussions with internal and external customers, provide expert advice across your discipline and contribute to the development of business artefacts that support successful bids.
Help shape engineering processes, drive continuous improvement and champion standardised manufacturing and supplier due‑diligence practices.
As a leader, you will guide and mentor engineering practitioners, support succession planning and foster a culture of clear communication, capability development and operational excellence.
Contribute to trade control compliance, ensuring best‑practice behaviours are embedded across relevant activities.
In every aspect of the role, you will uphold our organizations values—acting with integrity, respect and accountability, prioritising safety, striving for excellence and supporting your colleagues as part of a mission‑focused team.
What you need to have:
9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.
Experience working in a technical or engineering role within the US or UK Naval Nuclear industry.
Experience in one or more of the following areas: maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), sustainment, operations, infrastructure delivery from concept to commissioning, safety case definition/production/substantiation, environmental management.
Experience in one or more of the following areas: maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), sustainment operations, infrastructure. delivery from concept to commissioning, safety case definition/production/substantiation, environmental management.
Experience with MILSPECs and/or NAVSEA instructions, specifically relating to SUBSAFE or nuclear‑classified components.
Subject matter expertise in weld engineering, machining, forging/casting or manufacturing techniques.
Working knowledge of Export/Trade Controls associated with defence products.
ASQ Certified Auditor or ISO 9001 Certified Auditor or ability to obtain.
Demonstrated capability in leading assessments, corrective action programs and manufacturing maturity assessments.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, engineering governance and supplier capability development.
Proven ability to interpret technical standards, assess risk and apply engineering judgement across complex programs.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
Commitment to safety, integrity and disciplined engineering practice.
Ability to travel interstate frequently and support international engagements when required.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Meet HII’s Mission Technologies Division
Our team of more than 7,000 professionals worldwide delivers all-domain expertise and advanced technologies in service of mission partners across the globe. Mission Technologies is leading the next evolution of national defense – the data evolution - by accelerating a breadth of national security solutions for government and commercial customers. Our capabilities range from C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations and synthetic training environments to fleet sustainment, environmental remediation and the largest family of unmanned underwater vehicles in every class. Find the role that’s right for you. Apply today. We look forward to meeting you.
To learn more about Mission Technologies, click here for a short video: https://vimeo.com/732533072
HII is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to build a new future. We offer competitive benefits such as best-in-class medical, dental and vision plan choices; wellness resources; employee assistance programs; Savings Plan Options (401(k)); financial planning tools, life insurance; employee discounts; paid holidays and paid time off; tuition reimbursement; as well as early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships. Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation is occasionally offered for qualified positions, and if applicable to this role will be addressed by the recruiter at the screening phase of application.
Why HII
We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America’s top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to
[email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.
