About the Opportunity
As the Ship Manager, you will act as the Prime Contractor's lead representative for vessel construction activities, interfacing directly with the shipbuilding subcontractor and coordinating the flow of engineering, materiel, schedule and program information required to deliver complex Defence vessels.
Reporting to the Project Manager, you will be responsible for translating Program requirements into shipyard execution outcomes, ensuring vessel construction is delivered in accordance with contractual, technical, schedule, cost and quality requirements.
This is not a traditional shipyard production management role. The successful candidate will combine strong shipbuilding knowledge with project management expertise to coordinate multiple functions including engineering, supply chain, planning, quality, production and test & evaluation.
You will work across organisational boundaries, driving subcontractor performance, managing program risks and opportunities, and ensuring alignment between the Program Integrated Master Schedule and shipyard execution activities.
This role is ideally suited to an experienced shipbuilding professional who understands how Defence vessel programs are delivered from design through construction, test, acceptance and handover, while also having meaningful earned value management experience.
About Austal
Austal is Australia’s global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor, and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support defence and commercial vessels for the world’s leading operators with operations spanning
Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We’re driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.
Learn more at austal.com/ssa
This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.
What’s Involved
- Act as the primary interface between the Program Office and the shipbuilding subcontractor.
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Coordinate the flow of engineering information, technical changes and production priorities to support efficient vessel construction.
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Ensure material availability, engineering maturity and production readiness align with build requirements.
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Monitor subcontractor performance against cost, schedule, quality and technical requirements.
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Drive Earned Value Management and schedule performance outcomes across vessel construction activities.
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Develop and maintain vessel build strategies, execution plans and shipbuilding master schedules.
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Lead multidisciplinary engagement across engineering, supply chain, planning, quality, production and test teams.
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Identify and manage risks, opportunities and constraints affecting vessel delivery.
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Provide objective assessment and reporting of shipbuilding progress to Program leadership and Defence stakeholders.
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Support vessel test, acceptance and delivery activities.
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Ensure lessons learned are captured and applied to improve future shipbuilding performance, ensuring the program learning curve is being achieved.
You’ll Need
Essential
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Australian Citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Defence security clearance.
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Significant experience in naval or commercial shipbuilding, ship repair, vessel sustainment or complex marine projects.
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Demonstrated experience managing the delivery of complex technical programs within a shipbuilding or Defence environment.
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Strong understanding of vessel construction processes from planning and production through test and acceptance.
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Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams including engineering, planning, supply chain, quality and production.
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Working knowledge of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), integrated scheduling and performance reporting.
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Demonstrated ability to manage subcontractor performance and influence outcomes without direct authority.
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Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to communicate effectively across customers, subcontractors and internal functions.
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Strong commercial, risk management and problem-solving capability.
Desirable
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Degree qualification in Engineering, Project Management or a related discipline.
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Formal project management qualifications (PMI, AIPM, PRINCE2 or equivalent).
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Experience working within Defence acquisition or Defence shipbuilding programs.
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Experience operating within a Prime Contractor environment.
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Knowledge of Commonwealth contracting frameworks and Defence governance.
Why Join Us?
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Competitive compensation and benefits package.
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Professional development and training opportunities.
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A supportive and dynamic work environment.
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Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.
At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply.
Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia
