Senior Subcontracts Officer
Job Location: Edinburgh Parks, SA OR Melbourne VIC
Who we are:
Join BAE Systems and you'll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you'll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You'll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow - shaping a safer future, for all of us.
From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space - there's no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
Role Description:
We are seeking multiple highly capable Senior Subcontract Officers with strong commercial acumen, to join our teams where your contribution will ensure the best commercial outcomes for the Customer and the business whilst contributing to the support of the Australian Defence Forces.
These opportunities are available at our Edinburgh Parks, SA office or Melbourne CBD, VIC office and open to hybrid work, flexibility and 9 day fortnight.
In this role, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of subcontracting activities driving value, minimising risk, and ensuring delivery against cost, schedule, quality, and safety objectives, in some of the most exiting defence export opportunities.
You will play a critical role in shaping supplier strategies, leading commercial negotiations, and managing supplier performance across key programs, working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners within Australia and abroad to achieve business outcomes.
Core Duties:
- Develop and implement robust supplier sourcing strategies in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Lead Supply Chain inputs into bids and tenders, ensuring clear requirements and compliant contract terms.
- Establish appropriate terms and conditions based on scope of work understandings of risk profile as part of RFx process.
- Coordinate supplier evaluations and provide sourcing recommendations.
- Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers and establish agreements within Delegations of Authority.
- Propose and review complex terms and conditions to ensure that BAE Systems Australia Business interests are protected.
- Adopt clear understandings with suppliers of both technical and commercial issues to ensure that business arrangements minimise risk. Work with internal commercial and legal team as required to ensure all contracts have the necessary legal input/governance.
- Develop and execute contract management strategies across a diverse portfolio.
- Ensure alignment with procurement policies, governance, and legislative requirements.
- Manage subcontract performance across cost, schedule, quality, and risk, highlighting all upcoming deliverable milestones to internal stakeholders.
- Monitor compliance with contractual obligations including payments, warranties, claims, and amendments.
- Establish and track supplier KPIs to drive performance improvement.
- Proactively identify and manage supplier risks and opportunities.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders across programs.
- Present supplier performance, risks, and approvals to program teams and leadership.
- Escalate supplier issues as required to senior stakeholders.
- Support enterprise supplier engagement initiatives such as strategic supplier programs.
- Support learning from experience initiatives within the team.
- Contribute to the development of supplier capability and operational efficiency.
Essential Skills:
- Previous contract administration experience will be highly regarded. (especially in areas of ASDEFCON Subcontracts / CASG procurement documentation experience or knowledge).
- Understanding of financial price models and cost analysis skills (basic to intermediate) will be highly regarded.
- Strong track record in contract development, negotiation, and supplier management.
- Experience managing complex contract portfolios and delivering measurable results.
- Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Law, Commerce or Project Management, (preferred).
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation skills.
- Ability to analyse data and support strategic decision-making.
- Effective communicator with experience engaging senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes.
- Proven success in achieving cost savings and value improvements.
- Strong project management capability.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (e.g. Oracle).
The High Frequency Sensing Team
The High Frequency Sensing team is part of the BAE Systems Defence Delivery Business Unit and delivers advanced Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) capability across the full lifecycle, spanning acquisition, sustainment and research and development - with all design wholly undertaken within Australia. It brings together expertise in large and medium scale wide area surveillance systems to support sovereign capability and operational readiness for Australian and international export customers. It is an exciting time to join the team with major upgrades occurring for Australian and US customer systems, evolving sustainment focus to ensure capability readiness for the Australian Defence Force customer, and our role as the industry partner on Australia's largest ever defence export; supporting both Australian and Canadian governments. We are structured as two product portfolios, proudly providing exciting opportunities to our people and critical capabilities to our Australian and international customers.
Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) and Arctic Over The Horizon Radar (A-OTHR)
The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is a connected series of three remote over-the-horizon radars (OTHR) located in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The state-of-the-art defence radar system provides wide-area surveillance at ranges of 1,000 to 3,000 kilometres and plays a vital role in supporting the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) air and maritime operations, border protection, disaster relief and rescue operations.
As the Australian Government's Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR) industry partner for both Sovereign JORN and Australia's largest ever defence export, BAE Systems is looking to mobilise an exceptional team to support our portfolio. This is your chance to join a growing team delivering world-leading capability to the Australian and Canadian Governments.
Why BAE Systems?
Here you'll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work - this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You'll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what's most important to you and your family - support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A place where everyone can thrive
We're committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
We support our veteran community through VetNet Australia, along with initiatives such as Reserve Service Leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program, and partner-supported programs.
We welcome applications from all candidates and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.
We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180 and recipients of the Benchmarcx Top Employer for Candidate Experience Excellence 2026. As members of the Circle Back Initiative, we commit to responding to every applicant.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team to discuss the support you may need. You can also connect with us via Careers and Employment.
Security statement
Please note, as a defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain one. Further information regarding security clearances.
