Freelance Quality Assurance Rater in Canberra

Join our Downer Professional Services team and play a key role in delivering complex defence and national security projects that safeguard Australia’s future. Downer Professional Services comprises three business units: our Technical, Advisory, and Capability consulting practice, and Team Downer, which partners with CASG and NSSG as a major service provider to Defence. Together, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory and delivery partner of choice for clients across Defence and National Security.

We currently have an opportunity for a Quality Engineer in Canberra to contribute to Engineering Plans and oversee governance and compliance.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct reviews and analysis to assure organisational performance of the EMS to maintain AEO certification.
• Review Engineering Artefacts including all project/product level Engineering Plans to assure compliance to standards.
• Provide direction to projects/products on the relevant Australian and International Standards, regulations and Defence requirements.
• Leadership of continual improvement actions across Engineering, Logistics and Cyber, including pre and post activity reviews.

Due to the nature of the work, you are required to currently hold and maintain an AGSVA Security clearance as required by the Commonwealth. In some instances, compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may also be an inherent requirement.

More than anything, you’ll bring a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Why Downer Professional Services

• Meaningful work: Help to deliver critical Defence projects that protect Australia and shape its future.
• Professional development: Access career mapping, accelerated learning programs, and shared learning through our Communities of Practice.
• Great perks: Enjoy discounts on healthcare, retail, vehicles, and more.
• Veteran support: Benefit from initiatives like up to 20 days of Reservist Leave to stay connected post-service.

We know that diversity makes us stronger and we actively celebrate it through our commitment to inclusion and belonging. We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we welcome people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, and lived experiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior functional leadership across quality disciplines, teams, and operational areas to deliver business and customer outcomes.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of quality systems, processes, standards, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure quality practices align with business objectives, contractual requirements, regulatory obligations, and product performance expectations.
• Provide technical authority across quality assurance, audits, inspections, testing, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Oversee assurance activities to ensure products, materials, and processes meet required quality, safety, and compliance standards.
• Analyse quality performance data to identify trends, systemic risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead corrective and preventative action processes to address quality issues and strengthen operational performance.
• Drive consistency of quality practices across multiple functions, product lines, and operational environments.
• Contribute to the development of quality strategy, enterprise standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with stakeholders to improve reliability, maintainability, and delivery outcomes.
• Build capability across the Quality function through coaching, mentoring, and developing managers and technical specialists.

Essential

• Undergraduate qualification in Quality, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in Quality Management (typically 12+ years), including demonstrated leadership experience managing managers or senior technical professionals.
• Proven experience leading multiple quality disciplines, teams, or functional areas within a complex organisation.
• Strong technical expertise across quality management systems, audits, inspections, testing, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Experience applying quality frameworks to contractual, regulatory, compliance, and product performance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to combine technical authority with strategic leadership and people management responsibilities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing, and problem-solving capabilities.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in Quality, Engineering, Management, or a related discipline.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt accreditation.
• Experience working within complex, multi-product, matrixed, or highly regulated environments.
• Experience contributing to global, enterprise-wide, or cross-functional quality strategies and processes.

What we will offer you:

• A workplace culture certified as a Great Place To Work.
• Flexible working.
• Competitive salary (including annual reviews).
• Paid parental leave.
• Income protection.
• Corporate rewards.
• Salary packaging/Novated leasing.
• Employee stock purchase plans.
• Flu shots, skin checks and discounted private health insurance.
• Career development: Online learning, mentorship and career pathways.

As a Major Service Provider of the Australian Defence Force, an AGSVA security clearance will be required and compliance to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, our hiring decisions are based on the key requirements of each role and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and experiences.