P-8A Australia Modification Project Manager

About the opportunity

Lead a high visibility aircraft modification project and help strengthen Australia's defence capability.

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) is shaping the future of aerospace and delivering some of the nation's most important programs for the Australian Defence Force. We are leaders in the Defence Industry, delivering cutting edge technology to our customers and proactively solving challenges posed by the complex and ever-changing Defence landscape.

Joining us is a chance to make your mark, working with a diverse team that is united in pushing the boundaries of imagination and excellence. As a BDA employee, you will join other innovative people who have the critical skills required to develop and deliver world class capabilities and systems that protect Australia and its national interests.

This is your opportunity to contribute to the future of the evolving Australian Defence environment. Advance your career with BDA where you'll be inspired, encouraged and empowered without limits.

The role

Boeing Defence Australia is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to join the P-8A Australia program as the P-8A Modification Project Manager The successful candidate will lead delivery of major and minor aircraft modifications and ensure safe, timely and cost-effective implementation in support of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operations.

The P-8A Poseidon is a proven multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, based on the Boeing 737-800 airframe and operated from RAAF Base Edinburgh. The platform performs anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, and maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Working on the P-8A program offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to Australia's national defence capabilities.

This role will initially focus on managing an extant project through induction, modification, test and service release, and will transition into an ongoing project management role to lead future modification activities in partnership with the P-8A Maintenance Manager.

The P-8A Modification Project Manager is accountable for:

• Maintain schedules: track variances, capture risks/issues/opportunities, identification of critical paths and keep timelines aligned across the Commonwealth of Australia, United States Navy, subcontractors and The Boeing Company.
• Own cost account management: manage delegated budgets, monitor variances, update Estimates to Completion for schedule and cost, manage expenditure with other Boeing entities and put in corrective actions to get back to baseline.
• Manage contracts and change controlled activities and make sure execution plans and required deliverables are submitted on time; support iterative/spiral changes.
• Drive first time quality by applying and upholding quality management system standards and meeting environment, health & safety, security, export controls and cyber security obligations.
• Communicate clearly and practically with Commonwealth of Australia stakeholders, subcontractors and international partners, and chair/co-chair forums as required.
• Gather and share program performance data, run bi‑annual lessons learned sessions and support periodic performance reviews to drive improvement.
• Lead cost reviews, milestones, integrated product team meetings, gate reviews and other governance reviews; prepare and maintain status and review artefacts.
• Actively manage the program risk, issue and opportunity registers per the approved process, escalating and closing items to reduce program impact.
• Support execution at the modification facility: work closely with maintenance, supply and operations teams and coordinate people across Boeing and partner organisations to meet commitments.
• Transition the role into ongoing modification portfolio management: lead follow‑on modification projects, share depot maintenance lessons learnt and contribute to business development for future opportunities and customers.

Location and relocation

This role is based at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Candidates currently outside the greater Adelaide region are encouraged to apply — relocation support to Adelaide may be available for the successful candidate subject to approval.

About you

You are a collaborative, action‑oriented leader with the desire to develop a strong technical understanding of the work and methods, effective communication skills and a talent for building relationships. You work well autonomously and as part of a team, and you look for practical ways to improve delivery and are biased to driving tasks to closure.

For this role you will need to be able to hold or obtain at least a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) Australian security clearance, or a commensurate overseas clearance that can be recognised by Australia.

Experience and qualifications

• 8+ years experience managing projects or equivalent leadership roles.
• Formal Project Management, Engineering, Business or Management qualifications is desired, however, prior experience will be considered.
• Experience leading or working within an aircraft modification program with real world experience of modification unique challenges will be highly regarded.
• Demonstrated proficiency in all project management areas in accordance with accepted industry project management standards.
• High level communication and negotiation skills with a strong focus on building successful relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Benefits

We value the health and wellbeing of our employees and offer true flexibility including working from home, compressed work weeks, and opportunities for part time arrangements, allowing you to balance your career with what is important to you outside of work.

Working within our team, you will have the opportunity to gain in-depth exposure across various exciting projects and build on your professional network with internal stakeholders and external partners in the industry.

• We understand the importance of work-life balance and provide a mixture of flexible office and remote working options.
• We will celebrate your successes and achievements with a formal reward and recognition program and through employee awards.
• We value your professional development and will provide a vast range of formal and informal training, as well as assistance to further education.
• We offer competitive salary packaging options and our Employee Incentive Program includes a bonus scheme and a wide range of corporate discounts.
• As part of a global company, your career opportunities extend internationally.

Culture

BDA actively encourages applications from all members of society. We believe we are our best when our workforce reflects the diverse, talented and passionate communities in which we live and operate. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive workplace and recognise the strength this brings to our business.

We foster an environment where every team member can bring their whole selves to work, with equal opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

If you are ready to join an innovative industry leader and would like to register your interest in working for Boeing, please click Apply Now