What's your job about?

Our tag line at Nova Systems is smart people solving complex challenges, making our world safe & secure. As an Explosive Ordnance (EO) Engineer this sums up my job pretty well, particularly with an emphasis on safety. My job is to certify all things EO that Defence wants Introduced into Service. As part of that, my team completes a certification pack that ensures the safety and reliability of whatever the item is. This includes analysing test data (what happens if we drop it), researching energetics (why/how things go bang) and verifying the requirements made by Defence and Government (Will it work after I drop it in the toilet).

What's your background?

I was born in Sydney but grew up in Germany. At the age of 12, I moved back to Australia (Canberra) and had to start fresh. Since then, I’ve spent as much time as I could going back to Germany to see friends and family, whilst building my life here. 

Moving back to Australia during high school was a difficult experience. I left behind half of my family and all my friends to start a new life. At that age, I didn’t understand how life-changing that decision would be—it was, to say the least, a character-building experience.

After year 12, I was a little unsure of what I wanted to study, so I basically chose the biggest challenge—pursuing a double degree in Engineering and Science. In hindsight, it was more challenging than I had initially anticipated.

I spent my last semester of uni in Singapore, and it was an incredible experience. I got to travel through Southeast Asia and experience so many cultures, and the food was fantastic. When I came back, I was expecting to go back to my job, where they had offered me a full-time role upon return. However, my entire team was made redundant the month before I returned. I’m sure there was a life lesson there somewhere, but it felt like a huge failure being made redundant at my first full-time job. 

After the redundancy, I started looking at graduate engineering opportunities and stumbled across Nova Systems. My first impression was, “Wow, their job application site is so fancy!” I applied for Explosive Ordnance because I thought it sounded cool, and I was right. In February 2024, I started the Graduate Program and it has been an amazing experience ever since.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Whilst an engineering or a science background is a requirement, the major doesn’t matter. Everything you need to know about the job is taught on the job. The first few months I spent just learning a completely new set of work lingo – engineers and in particular Defence, do like their acronyms. The most important thing is the willingness to learn and being able to communicate your needs. It is a pretty specialist field within the engineering discipline, but the work you put in to understand is worthwhile.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I have been fortunate enough to see some pretty cool stuff including grenade testing, visit munition manufacturing facilities, watch rifles being tested and hold different weapons (inert ones) in my hands. I feel extremely lucky to work in a field where I find my work exciting. Don’t get me wrong, some days can be challenging, but it’s all made better by the amazing people I work with. I have made amazing friendships within the last year that have outgrown the typical co-worker relationship.

What are the limitations of your job?

Explosive Ordnance is not for everyone. I love it, but it can be confronting at times. I take immense pride in what I do. My job literally keeps our soldiers safe in their roles to protect our nation. The other limitation was the fact that it was a completely new field for me when I started. That was definitely a bit daunting at first, but once I found my feet, it became truly rewarding.

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

1. Setbacks might seem like a huge thing at the time, but it really is true that they are so much smaller in the rear-view mirror. So, use them as an opportunity! (trust me - I was made redundant fresh out of uni)
2. Try as many new things as you can, this goes for work and for personal life. There is so much growth that comes from challenging yourself.
3. Travel to as many places as you possibly can, there is nothing that can replace those experiences.