Defence Cyber and Space Careers

There’s no greater reassurance for our community than knowing we’re well prepared to prevent or avert threats to our security. As the no.1 STEM university in South Australia we offer a range of degree programs that will put you on the fast-track to launch a career in defence, cyber security or Australia’s thriving space sector.

Explore careers and courses

Pave your way into a career in the defence industry. Search for career options and the University of Adelaide degrees that will get you there.

Defence

The University of Adelaide’s world-class academics work in partnership with defence and industry to develop innovative technologies that help give our Australian Defence Force a real edge.

From deep learning autonomous systems and pattern recognition, to optimising and automating complex systems. To sensing, recognising and predicting patterns. There are many jobs and careers needed to support Australia’s defence industry.

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  • Combat systems engineer 
    Design, build, integrate and maintain systems that control different kinds of equipment for the defence industry, including chemical, nuclear and biological equipment for combat environments. Undertake complex software modelling of sensors, command and control systems.

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  • Electrical engineer 
    South Australia is home to many important defence investments and industries, including shipbuilding and the over-the-horizon radar project. Electrical engineers integrate systems including specification of interfaces between system components, create complex test scenarios of electrical and mechanical systems, and undertake analysis of statistical results.

  • Engineering designer 
    Design components of portions of systems and modify existing designs to develop or improve products and facilitate manufacturing operations.

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  • Integrated logistic support engineer 
    Ensure a smooth and sustainable supply chain through management of product and resources. Analyse purchasing, warehousing, forecasting and customer relationships. Review design drawings and associated data to interpret and determine maintenance activity.

  • Integrated logistic support - technical 
    Technical expertise in the application of reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) and failure modes effects and critical analysis (FMECA) relating to engineering projects.

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  • Machine learning software engineer 
    Apply the latest developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning to problems in image processing and computer vision.

  • Mechanical engineer 
    Think of any machine and a mechanical engineer has most definitely worked on it. Using computer aided design programs, project manage the creation of a prototype, testing it and getting it into production.

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  • Production engineer 
    Application of castings, machine processing, joining processes and tool design.

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  • Radar specialist 
    Develop state of the art technology and field prototype systems to progress high frequency radars such as the Australian Defence Force’s Jindalee Over-the-horizon Radar Network (JORN).

  • Radio frequency engineer 
    Electromagnetic environmental effects research looking at the effects of radio frequency from both an environmental as well as tactical, situation.

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  • Software engineer 
    Research, consult, analyse and evaluate computer programs and what they need to operate smoothly and efficiently. Identify technological limitations and problems in existing systems, processes, procedures or operating methods.

  • Subcontracts administrator 
    Manage subcontracts including negotiation and review of tenders, and preparation of tender comparisons for review.

  • Systems engineer 
    Develop, build and maintain complex systems, such as computer systems, that are used to provide solutions to technical problems. Maintain the security of systems ensuring there is backup and redundancy contingencies in place.

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  • Test and activation engineer 
    Predict and analyse future production demand. Contribute to creating and implementing new strategic initiatives, including refining of products, services, processes and quality techniques through the production system.

Postgraduate qualifications from SA’s #1 university

Cyber

The Australian cyber security industry is rapidly growing. People with skills, knowledge and understanding of contemporary policing, intelligence, counter terrorism, programming and computer science are in high demand for cyber security jobs around the world.

You could develop strategies to secure health providers’ patient data. Or protect social media users’ personal details. Perhaps you’ll prevent cyber theft for global financial institutions. Or ensure undercover police officers’ identities aren’t compromised. Wherever your interests lie, your expertise will be in demand.

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  • Cryptanalyst 
    Develop algorithms, ciphers and security systems to encrypt sensitive information.

  • Cryptographer 
    Put into code ciphers, algorithms and security systems, and own responsibility for protecting those codes from cyber hackers.

  • Cyber security expert 
    Investigate, develop and deliver secure and robust systems and devices to protect information and privacy.

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  • Electrical engineer - Cybersecurity 
    Cybersecurity is a high-growth industry. As more devices and systems are connecting to the Internet employers are increasingly seeking graduates who can develop secure and robust systems.

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  • Security analyst 
    Detect and prevent cyber threats to an organisation. Looking for weaknesses in infrastructure and finding creative ways to protect your organisation.

  • Security engineer 
    A specialised engineering approach to cyber security, specifically in the design of security systems to counter potentially catastrophic issues.

  • Security software developer 
    Predict, prevent and protect cyber danger with security driven software.

Lead cutting-edge cyber security programs for governments, law enforcement agencies, large companies and non-government organisations with industry informed postgraduate study from SA’s #1 university:

 

At master’s level you will gain:

  • a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of complex cyber security needs and considerations across multiple industries
  • highly advanced technical skills and the ability to apply them in real-world contexts
  • a sophisticated grasp of cyber security policy and governance considerations—social, legal and commercial
  • the ability to critically analyse and evaluate relevant data and technology
  • the refined interpersonal skills to effectively communicate issues and strategies to a range of stakeholders.

You’ll also take specialist courses in your chosen major—Cyber Security Management or Secure Software Development. And you’ll apply and expand your learning through a major research project, or industry-based practise.

Space

Space science is the essential foundation that enables us to understand and operate technology in the unforgiving environment of space.

By virtue of Australia’s position on our planet, space technology plays a central role in affordable solutions to some of our pressing national challenges. It also presents Australia with unique opportunities to overcome the tyranny of distance presented by our sparsely populated continent.

The University of Adelaide offer the no. 1 degree in South Australia for astronomical and space sciences research. Our Bachelor of Science (Space Science and Astrophysics) has a strong emphasis on physics to unravel the mysteries of space and discover the fundamental processes that define our universe.

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  • Aeronautical researcher / physicist 
    Use sophisticated computer design techniques to create mathematical models of aircraft and “fly” them by computer simulation, allowing study of many different configurations before settling on a final design.

  • Aerospace engineer 
    Design, evaluate and test spacecraft, satellites, aircraft and missiles. Develop new technology and refine existing technology to make it safer or more efficient.

  • Astronaut 
    Astronauts usually have backgrounds in aerospace engineering, or electrical or mechanical engineering. Sometimes they start in maths or another engineering field. Keep in mind there is likely to be much more study and research to eventually become an astronaut, such as higher degrees like Masters and PhD.

  • Astrophysicist 
    Explore the universe’s most distant galaxies and apply the laws of physics and chemistry to explain the birth, life and death of stars, planets and galaxies.

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  • Electrical engineer 
    Satellites and spacecraft systems rely heavily on electrical energy and systems, such as sensors, processors, radars, etc. The challenge of an electrical engineer for space is that, apart from a few manned missions, all electrical systems must operate for sustained periods of time without any maintenance in the hostile environment of space.

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  • Lawyer 
    Regulation and authorisation of Australia’s space activities and international arrangements affecting space regulation are important tasks of the Australian Space Agency.

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  • Software engineer 
    The space industry needs software engineers for tool programming, control engineering and embedding controllers in aerospace vehicles that are networked through critical software design.

  • Space flight controller 
    Work at space agencies or space stations and use telemetry to monitor various technical aspects of space missions in real time.

  • Space scientist 
    Investigate the solar system and the practical use of space.

  • Spatial analyst 
    Join a team of data analysts who are changing the way the world uses spatial data.

Progress higher or change direction with a quality postgraduate qualification from SA’s #1 university:

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