Technical Team Lead – Shape Australia’s Role in the AUKUS Supply Chain

Step into a role where your leadership directly strengthens Australia’s sovereign capability. As H&B Defence expands its contribution to AUSSQ and AUKUS programs, we’re searching for a Technical Team Lead who thrives in complex, high‑stakes environments and is ready to guide suppliers into one of the most advanced nuclear‑powered submarine supply chains in the world.

About You

You are a seasoned quality assurance professional who brings confidence, clarity and technical depth to every interaction. Your background spans Defence or similarly high‑risk industries, and you’re comfortable navigating the demanding expectations of ISO 9001, US MILSPECs and nuclear‑related assurance frameworks. You communicate with influence, build trust quickly and lead with integrity, respect and accountability. You enjoy shaping best practice from the ground up, drawing on your experience in start‑up or rapidly evolving environments to establish systems that endure. You’re energised by mentoring others, strengthening organisational culture and guiding teams through complex supplier assessments. You’re equally at home in the field conducting audits as you are developing processes, analysing data or engaging with senior stakeholders across Australia, the UK and the US. You bring a disciplined safety mindset, a commitment to excellence and a genuine desire to support others as part of a mission‑focused team.

About the Role

As Technical Team Lead, you will guide a team of engineering and supplier quality professionals responsible for conducting Supplier Validation assessments across AUSSQ and AUKUS initiatives. Your work will ensure Australian suppliers are identified, qualified and supported through a rigorous entry process into the nuclear‑powered submarine supply chain. You will establish and lead the supplier assurance function for the US and UK Services component of the AUSSQ contract, integrating requirements from Newport News Shipyard and Babcock UK into H&B Defence’s validation processes. You will oversee the full lifecycle of supplier assessments—from down‑selection and audit planning through to field visits, documentation reviews, gap analyses, corrective action oversight and post‑award performance monitoring. Your role will also involve developing assessment frameworks, checklists and procedures that can be applied across a trilateral industrial base.

You will represent H&B Defence at industry events, contribute to program reporting, support proposals for additional services and maintain meticulous audit records. As a leader, you will coach and mentor your team, foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement, and ensure Trade Control compliance is embedded in all activities. Domestic and international travel will be required as part of your engagement with suppliers and global partners.

About H&B Defence

H&B Defence Pty Ltd was established in 2024 as a joint venture between HII and Babcock. Together, we bring world leading expertise from Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to support the development of critical sovereign capability for Australia’s once in a generation AUKUS nuclear powered submarine program.

H&B Defence is positioned to support every stage of Australia’s optimal pathway under AUKUS Pillar 1, including workforce development, nuclear infrastructure, submarine defueling and decommissioning, nuclear waste management, and long term sustainment, ensuring Australia is ready for Virginia, Astute, and SSN-AUKUS class submarines.

We are committed to building Australian workforce sovereign capability. Come and join our team and work along-side nuclear subject matter experts within H&B Defence in Australia, with significant knowledge of the UK and US Naval Nuclear Eco-system.

Your future with us – what we offer you  

•  Our structured Naval Nuclear mentorship program where you can engage as either a Mentor or Mentee. Our mentors are Nuclear experienced professionals and mentees being new to the Naval Nuclear industry.
• Access to Nuclear expertise across UK, US, and embedded Nationally within H&B across Australia
• We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career, supported by our capability framework and undertake professional learning and development opportunities
• Your wellbeing is supported through our Employee Assistance Program to ensure your wellness includes mind, body and soul.

Job req #74224

The employer for this position is HII.

The H&B Defence Pty Ltd Talent Engagement Services are provided by Babcock and they lead all Australian-Based recruitment for H&B Defence, an HII and Babcock joint venture.

When you explore vacancies and register for job alerts you will be directed to a Babcock page

About HII

We build the world’s most powerful, survivable naval ships, submarines, and defence technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. Our workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.

We are a values and ethics driven organisation that puts people’s safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you’ll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.

 
We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and experience however, due to the defence orientation of this role, the successful candidate must be eligible to obtain an appropriate level of Commonwealth Personnel Security Clearance, as defined in the AGSVA guidelines.   
   
Please note, should your application progress you may be required to complete pre-employment checks.  These checks may include but not limited to, reference checks, police check, security check, qualifications and right to work.