Beneath the Deck

“Don’t discount an opportunity, because it’s not what you plan to do”. Since starting as Cadet Mechanical Engineer in 1985, Wendy has pivoted many times throughout her career – learning a thing or two about how deviating from one path can lead you right back to the road you always wanted to be on.  Now Throughlife Support Director for the Hunter Class Frigate Program, she talks us through the role the Support Systems team plays – essentially bringing the ship alive.   

Growing up wanting to build houses, and now working on Australia's largest ever surface ship project, Ed hasn't had your typical career path.  Ed's involvement with the Hunter Class Frigate Program is a unique, 'from the keel up' story – beginning on the other side of the world, way back in 2016. Now Marine Systems Engineering Manager, Ed is responsible for the system design for the HVAC system, the electrical system, and the main power and propulsion systems, for one of the most advanced anti-submarine warships in the world.

Describing her current job as being the "glue" within the Engineering function of the Hunter Class Frigate Program, Sonja has not had a linear career path. Beginning her career in contemporary dance choreography, Sonja draws a lot of parallels between communicating issues through dance and communicating bewteen different Engineering disciplines. For Sonja, 'why' has been a big driver in her career — and her 'why' is to help protect the people of Australia, and help people in times of need.

Career paths are not always clear, and that is especially the case for Peter, who has — in his own words — has had three different careers. Beginning his working life in the Royal Australian Air Force at just 17 years old, Peter spent more than two decades servicing and maintaining military aircraft before moving to the Defence Materiel Organisation, and then finally to BAE Systems Australia. Now onto the second upgrade program for the Anzac class frigates since he moved to Peth, Peter has helped deliver significant upgrades to the ships.

What's it like guiding and shaping the careers of people embarking on their journey into the Defence industry? Ashleigh, the Early Careers Lead at BAE Systems Australia — Maritime, uses his wealth of experience and his own unique career path to help people get the most out of their job. Ashleigh started off his working life as an apprentice in the automotive industry before moving into teaching at high schools, focusing on STEM subjects, he brings a different perspective to the pathways a career can take.