Expression of Interest - Defence Airfields

Full job description
Downer’s Transport & Infrastructure team is seeking Expressions of Interest from experienced and suitably qualified Project Managers, Project/Site Engineers and Superintendents who have worked within Defence airfield environments and are motivated by delivering complex infrastructure safely and to the highest quality standards. These roles will include fly in / fly out works.

We’re looking for people with experience in:

Airfield pavements (asphalt, stabilisation, sprayed sealing, grooving, friction improvements).
Civil construction, pavement or surfacing works delivered on Defence bases or live airfield environments.
Working within Defence governance frameworks, security protocols, and airside access requirements.
Coordinating with Defence stakeholders, Airfield Operations, and base personnel.
Delivering works in restricted operational windows (e.g., runway closures, night works) with zero‑tolerance for overruns.
Ensuring high‑level quality assurance, audit‑ready documentation, and compliance with Defence and aviation technical standards.
Roles we are seeking Expressions of Interest for:

Project Managers

Experienced leaders responsible for end‑to‑end delivery of Defence airfield projects, including operational, commercial, safety, quality and stakeholder management. Strong capability required in Defence contract administration, planning works in constrained environments, and delivering consistent project outcomes.

Project Engineers & Site Engineers

Civil engineering professionals skilled in planning, coordination, and technical delivery of airfield pavement works, including compliance with aviation safety, Defence protocols, and detailed QA processes.

Superintendents / Senior Supervisors

Operational leaders with extensive experience delivering works on airfields or to airfield specifications. Must be comfortable managing crews in controlled, high‑risk environments, ensuring safety, quality, and Defence‑compliant work practices.

Key responsibilities across these roles:

Delivering works safely in live airfield, secure or Defence-controlled environments
Planning and executing works within strict operational windows (nightworks, runway shutdowns, airside constraints).
Maintaining compliance with Defence and aviation safety requirements (e.g., CASA MOS 139, Defence estate guidelines).
Managing client, subcontractor and Defence stakeholder expectations
Maintaining detailed records, QA documentation, ITPs, and audit trails in line with Defence governance
Driving operational excellence, Zero Harm principles, and strong team culture
To succeed in these roles, you will bring:

Demonstrated experience delivering airfield or Defence infrastructure projects (highly desirable and preferred for all roles).
Strong understanding of airfield operations, aviation safety or Defence compliance requirements
Relevant tertiary qualifications (Engineering, Construction Management) or trade/supervisory qualifications depending on the role
Ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance (Baseline or above).
Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Flexible with fly in fly out requirements.
Downer is a company that believes people are our greatest asset. We take pride in providing career opportunities, work-life balance, and above benchmark services. We also offer a range of benefits including:

Enjoy career development opportunities, including leadership programs like Thrive and Own Career
Access to Perks@Downer, which offers discounts and savings on various products, including retail items, travel deals and entertainment options.
Be part of an industry-leading company committed to safety, innovation, and operational excellence
Contribute to impactful projects that drive efficiency and sustainability
To join the Downer team please “apply now”. We respectfully request no recruitment agency approaches. Please be advised that email applications will not be accepted.

 
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