Electronic Observer

Role overview

Leidos Australia is seeking an Electronic Observer to join its airborne surveillance team based in Darwin or Broome. This full-time onsite position offers 6 weeks of annual leave and opens a pathway toward progression into an Electronic Mission Coordinator role. The workplace is Family Friendly certified and is designed to support employees balancing professional responsibilities with personal and family needs.

About the team and mission

Leidos Airborne Solutions Australia supports critical government work focused on border surveillance and life-saving search-and-rescue activity. The team operates aviation bases across Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories, along with a 24/7 Operations Centre, a Systems Integration Lab, and a Mission Equipment Service Centre. The organisation also partners with local SMEs to design, prototype, and test advanced mission management systems that use modern ISR technology.

What the role involves

In this role, you will work aboard a highly modified regional turboprop aircraft fitted with advanced surveillance and mission equipment. You will report to the Electronic Mission Coordinator while airborne and collaborate with a skilled crew to support civil maritime surveillance missions. A key part of the job is accurately collecting critical data and intelligence and ensuring it is securely shared with clients and stakeholders.

These positions are available in Darwin and Broome, and they include flying and deployments across Australia and the Pacific. The work takes place in aviation environments and may involve a range of weather conditions. Full training is provided so you can learn to operate the mission systems even if you do not come from an aviation background.

Responsibilities

• Operate onboard surveillance and mission systems during civil maritime surveillance flights.
• Capture, handle, and distribute mission data and intelligence with accuracy and discretion.
• Work closely with the Electronic Mission Coordinator and other team members during airborne operations.
• Support missions across multiple locations in Australia and the Pacific.
• Maintain safe working practices in aviation and operational environments.

Training and employment conditions

Training starts in Darwin or Broome from the commencement date and continues for 16 weeks. Extended leave outside normal circumstances is not available during this period. This position falls under the Surveillance AU Pilot & Observer Enterprise Agreement 2024–2028.

What you need to bring

The ideal candidate will have a Senior First Aid Certificate or an equivalent qualification, along with intermediate experience using computers and IT systems. You must be able to commit to the full 16-week training program in Darwin or Broome and meet the health and fitness requirements set by the pre-employment medical assessment and Civil Aviation Safety Authority standards.

You should be comfortable working independently and as part of a team, able to build strong working relationships, and demonstrate high levels of integrity and confidentiality. A strong commitment to safe work practices is essential.

Eligibility and checks

Applicants must be Australian citizens, be over 18 years of age at the time of application, and be willing to obtain and hold a Baseline AGSVA security clearance. Successful candidates will also need to complete recruitment checks, which include 1–2 interviews, background checks, a police check, and a pre-employment medical. Some applicants may also need to satisfy International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements, which can affect dual nationals, permanent residents, or former nationals of certain countries.

Inclusion and support

Leidos Australia promotes an inclusive workplace and welcomes candidates from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, veterans, neurodiverse people, and people of all genders, sexualities, and age groups. The company also offers advocacy groups including Women and Allies Network, Young Professionals, Defence & Emergency Services, Action for Accessibility and Abilities, and Pride+.

Pay and benefits

Leidos states that pay and benefits are an important part of its employment offering. Benefits include competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave, and retirement support. The organisation also notes that compensation is guided by the role, qualifications, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, and any applicable bargaining agreement or other legal requirement.

Additional information

Leidos positions itself as a mission-driven technology and services company focused on smarter solutions for government and commercial customers. Candidates are advised to be alert to recruitment scams: the company says it will never ask for payment during the hiring process and will only communicate through official Leidos email systems, not through free email services or messaging apps. If suspicious contact is received, applicants are encouraged to report it to Leidos directly and, if necessary, to local law enforcement or the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

The company also states that it provides equal employment opportunities and considers all qualified applicants without discrimination based on sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or other legally protected characteristics. Candidates with criminal histories may also be considered in line with applicable law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a global technology and mission solutions company serving government and commercial clients. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, it has around 47,000 employees worldwide and reported annual revenue of about $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ending January 3, 2025.