The key duties of the position include:

The Role

The Director Aeronautical Life Support Management Unit (DALSMU) is accountable for the delivery of CAF27 and for providing Aeronautical Life Support Equipment (ALSE) services that meet Australian Defence Force aviation requirements. The Director role leads and governs the ALSMU enterprise to ensure safe, effective, and sustainable ALSE capability across all ADF aviation platforms, directly enabling aircrew survivability and mission effectiveness throughout aircraft operations.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading a multi-disciplinary military and APS workforce.
Translating RAAF operational and Capability Manager requirements into materiel outcomes.
Managing industry partnerships.
Overseeing program strategies, performance, budgets, and risks across the full capability life cycle.

The role provides senior-level strategic advice and ensures compliance with aviation safety, airworthiness, and Defence governance requirements.

About our Team

SILSPO is the acquisition and sustainment agency for leading edge Surveillance, Intelligence, and Aeronautical Life Support capabilities. It acquires, integrates, and transitions capabilities into service to provide the joint force with a decisive warfighting advantage. SILSPO is responsible for the acquisition, integration, and through life support of the MC-55A Peregrine and Aeronautical Life Support Equipment (ALSE). This includes aerial systems and ground control segments, simulator and training systems, associated infrastructure, and ongoing support arrangements.

The organisation integrates all elements of the Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC) to ensure a seamless transition to service and the achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and Final Operational Capability (FOC) on time and within budget. SILSPO operates as an integrated workplace comprising ADF, APS, and contracted personnel and is committed to flexible and inclusive work practices.

Our Ideal Candidate

Your ability to lead, manage, and inspire a team will be crucial to the success of the ALSMU. You will have a proven track record of guiding high-performing teams in complex aerospace acquisition/sustainment activities. You will have significant experience in developing and mentoring staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and managing performance to achieve strategic and operational goals. You will have proven commercial acumen and exceptional engagement and communication skills with a track record of achieving alignment across diverse stakeholders.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers