Electrical Engineering Lead

An Australian R&D and manufacturing company developing advanced defence and industrial systems is expanding its engineering leadership and is now hiring an Electrical Engineering Lead to take technical authority for the electrical and electronic systems at the heart of its deployable platforms, and to lead the multidisciplinary team that designs, integrates, tests, and validates them. An avionics or aerospace background is highly respected for this role and a genuine advantage, but it is by no means an absolute must; deep electrical and electronics systems credibility matters more than a specific sector title.

In this role you will act as the technical authority across the electrical and electronics domain, owning system architecture from concept through to validation and operation. You will lead a team spanning electronics engineers, electronics technicians, mechatronics, and control and embedded software, setting technical direction while staying hands-on with the difficult problems yourself. Your scope covers the design, integration, and validation of core systems including power distribution, navigation, communication, control, and instrumentation, along with system level electrical analysis, load and power budgeting, and component selection for safe and reliable operation in demanding conditions. You will own verification and validation of both hardware and software, act as the main point of contact in design reviews and failure investigations, and ensure compliance with the relevant defence and engineering standards. This is a senior leadership position for someone who has led electrical or electronics design teams and delivery before and knows how to hold engineering rigour and delivery pace in the same hand. It is a fast moving environment where processes are still maturing, so it suits someone who pitches in where the team needs them and helps build the structure rather than waiting for it.

This is a full time, onsite role based in Adelaide. For interstate candidates, relocation is required and a relocation allowance will be provided. The role includes some travel for field testing and occasional longer hours around critical project milestones. Due to the nature of the work, Australian Citizenship is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the technical authority for the electrical and electronics domain, guiding technical decisions and ensuring quality across design, integration, and testing.
• Lead and set the technical direction for a multidisciplinary team spanning electronics engineers, electronics technicians, mechatronics, and control and embedded software.
• Oversee the architecture, design, development, and integration of core systems including power distribution, navigation, communication, control, and instrumentation.
• Design and analyse electrical power distribution across low voltage platforms (primarily 28V systems), including load analysis, power budgeting, and system sizing.
• Select and integrate electrical components including batteries, cables, connectors, protection devices, and relays.
• Lead verification and validation of hardware and software, ensuring compliance with relevant defence and engineering standards.
• Develop and implement engineering processes and standards, manage project milestones, and drive successful delivery.
• Act as the main point of contact in design reviews, failure investigations, and technical discussions, working closely with mechanical, software, and control disciplines.
• Direct and support testing in both lab and field environments, including fault finding and troubleshooting.
• Grow, manage, and mentor a high-performing team, and drive continuous improvement of design processes and documentation.

Requirements:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related discipline.
• Several years of experience in electrical and electronics design, including power distribution or system level electrical design, with prior experience leading or coordinating an engineering team.
• Deep knowledge across electronics, systems integration, and supporting software, with the credibility to act as a technical authority.
• Strong understanding of low voltage electrical systems, including batteries, cabling, connectors, and protection devices, along with load analysis and power budgeting.
• Proven ability to lead across the full lifecycle from architecture and design through to testing, validation, and delivery.
• Knowledge of defence standards, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• A seasoned, senior profile comfortable owning design programs and taking charge of a team while remaining hands-on.
• Strong problem solving, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to lead and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable but not essential:

• An avionics or aerospace electrical background is highly respected and a genuine plus, though by no means an absolute must.
• Experience in defence, aerospace, or automotive electrical and electronic systems.
• Familiarity with 28V electrical architectures or similar low voltage mobile platforms.
• Experience with defence, safety, or quality standards and compliance frameworks.
• Exposure to field testing, ruggedised systems, or deployable platforms operating in harsh environments.

Please reach out to harold@profoundpeople.com.au for more info