What's your job about?

In my current rotation with the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), I am contributing towards the AUKUS partnership through the safe and secure acquisition of our submarines which is a novel experience. This is the most significant military procurement, engineering project, and industrial overhaul to occur in Australia's history to date. 

Before this, I worked on projects that gave me unique insights into what was then for me the foreign world of how policy, politics, and diplomacy are carried out behind the scenes.

I have also had the opportunity to participate in an external rotation with one of the ASA’s key industry partners. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience where I was able to go onboard a submarine regularly and work with experienced engineers on complex tasks. The sheer amount of knowledge and experience held by longstanding employees was arguably the most valuable learning experience of my career so far.

What's your background?

After graduating from university, I applied to join the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) entry-level program for their 2024 intake. Before this, I had been working part-time at quarries and mines. I applied for the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) graduate role because I wanted to do something more purposeful with my degree that I could look back on, and work somewhere more meaningful to me than international corporations.

After progressing through the various aspects of the recruitment process, I was selected by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) to join them as a technical graduate.

Towards the end of my first rotation, the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) Nuclear Graduate Program Team approached me with an opportunity to participate in an external rotation pilot before they officially commenced delivery of the program for the 2025 intake. The prospect of an external rotation with one of the Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) key industry contractors was an exciting opportunity so I accepted.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes, someone with a different background could do my role. The experience I have gained during the Nuclear Graduate Program has made me into a more well-rounded engineer. The rotation system allows you to experience the different ecosystems on offer, with the focus on adding to your current skillset, and not focusing on the skills you already have. There is the potential of pursuing a postgraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering too, which can solidify your career in the industry if you choose to.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

During my first rotation, I was exposed to a critical infrastructure upgrade project including all of the policy and regulatory requirements necessary for the project to begin.

In my second rotation, I saw the beginning of this critical infrastructure upgrade project being delivered first hand. Seeing policy and regulatory work transform into tangible infrastructure in real time was special, and has made me more excited for the future of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).

I also witnessed a submarine emerge from the water for maintenance, and the sheer scale of witnessing an emerging submarine made me realise how monumental this project is.

What are the limitations of your job?

There is a lot of policy and regulatory groundwork, with hands-on engineering work currently reserved for the existing conventionally-powered submarines. This is set to change within the near future though, with the commencement of critical infrastructure upgrades to support AUKUS.

The groundwork needing to be laid down before any projects can launch is a necessary requirement, but the Nuclear Graduate Program Team has been a great support with providing opportunities for broader industry exposure. The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA)  employs experts in fields I never expected to work with, so you can easily learn a lifetime’s worth of knowledge just by conversing with them, and they are all open and supportive in helping you learn.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Take advantage of the rotation system by choosing work placements that are vastly different to each other. Experience what various areas of the Australian nuclear ecosystem have to offer. I was not expecting to have such variety in mine, and the knowledge I have taken in will follow me into all my future roles.
2. Working in this industry is very fast-paced, but very rewarding, and it helps to keep that in mind when managing and prioritising your workload.
3. There are a lot of policy and regulatory factors to consider in a project of this magnitude and nature, patience in learning these processes will be extremely valuable when I am leading my own projects in the future.