What's your job about?
I work as a systems engineer on the Woomera Test Range Support Services (WTRSS) team, where I support various test events conducted on the range. The Woomera Test Range is the largest land-based test range in the world, covering more than 120,000 square kilometres.
As a systems engineer, my role spans the entire design process: from developing and analysing requirements to integration, testing, and validation. A big aspect of my job is documentation of the design and then testing, to ensure that the design is documented accurately for traceability. To do this, I travel regularly to the range to assess and operate the equipment while it’s in operation.
Leveraging my mechanical engineering background, I focus on control systems development and improvement, transport solutions, and basic modelling and simulation. Simultaneously, I am developing my expertise in information and communication technology (ICT). The WTRSS team is made up of people from varied backgrounds, affording me the valuable opportunity to broaden my knowledge across a range of technical areas.
What's your background?
I joined Raytheon Australia in November 2021 as an intern, before transitioning to a full-time graduate role in February 2023.
Prior to pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, my fascination with design and mechanical systems began on the farm, working alongside my dad in a small farming community on the Eyre Peninsula. My continued exposure to complex farming equipment through my early years further nurtured my love for problem-solving and hands-on work.
In my penultimate year of study, a recommendation from my football coach directed me to Raytheon Australia’s GradX program. This program not only supported me through my final year of study and led to my internship and full-time employment, but it continues to provide valuable networking opportunities and essential leadership development in my early career.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely! To work as a systems engineer requires an engineering degree, however,, there are numerous roles at Raytheon Australia that recognise different levels of experience and education. Some important skills required to work as a systems engineer, or within the field, are strong problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and crucially, effective communication. An important part of any systems engineer’s role is to ensure that stakeholders with different backgrounds can understand complex technical concepts, which means delivering clear documentation and logical and intelligible presentations.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The most exciting aspect of my job is exposure to cutting-edge technologies that are being developed and tested in the defence industry. The most rewarding aspect of my job is seeing my designs implemented, functioning as intended, and improving the overall user experience with a system.
What are the limitations of your job?
As someone who is particularly interested in the technical nature of design work, I sometimes find it difficult to stay excited about the documentation side of the job. However, I recognise that documentation is extremely important for systems engineering and constitutes a significant element of the job. I’m fortunate that my supervisors assign me work that keeps me engaged, balancing my responsibilities to maintain my enthusiasm for my job.
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