Defence Jobs
Placing Defence Leaders Who Change Your Organisation
Executive Recruitment & Leadership Careers in Australia's Defence Industry
Australia's defence sector continues to experience unprecedented investment, creating exciting career opportunities for experienced leaders across defence industry, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, maritime, land systems, cyber security and sovereign capability programs.
PARTNER Executive works with professionals who want to play a meaningful role in strengthening Australia's defence capability. We partner with defence primes, specialist SMEs, technology organisations, engineering consultancies and government-facing businesses to recruit executives and senior leaders capable of delivering complex programs, leading high-performing teams and driving innovation within highly regulated environments.
As a specialist executive search and recruitment firm, we provide access to confidential appointments that are rarely advertised publicly. Many of our clients engage us to identify experienced professionals with proven capability, strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to lead complex defence projects from concept through to delivery.
ROLES RECRUITED IN defence
We focus on leaders and executives who possess commercial acumen, appropriate sector experience for their role, and leadership capabilities that suit Defence businesses across Australia and beyond.
Exploration & Technical
Roles recruited:
Exploration Manager
Chief Geologist / Principal Geologist
Senior / Project Geologist
Resource Geologist / Senior Resource Geologist
Mine / Production Geologist
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Executive & Senior Leadership
Roles recruited:
Managing Director / CEO
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Development Officer / EVP Projects
VP/GM Operations
Head of
Project Director
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Operations (Mining Sites & Processing)
Roles recruited:
General Manager Operations / Site General Manager
Mine Manager (Open Pit / Underground)
Processing Plant Manager
Superintendent (Mining / Processing / Maintenance)
Production Manager
Mining Engineer / Senior Mining Engineer
HSE Manager / HSE Superintendent
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Planning & Projects
Roles recruited:
Project Director / Project Manager
Study Manager (Scoping / PFS / FS)
Project Controls Manager
Cost Manager / Estimator
Scheduler / Primavera P6 Planner
Contracts & Procurement Manager
Commissioning Manager
Construction Manager
Engineering Manager
HSE Manager
Asset / Sustaining Capital Manager
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Corporate Services & Finance
Roles recruited:
General Counsel / Legal Counsel
Native Title / Land Access Manager
Approvals & Compliance Manager
Head of Corporate Affairs
Stakeholder Manager
Head of Risk & Compliance
Company Secretary
Treasury Manager
Corporate Finance Manager
Financial Controller
Procurement Manager
Contracts Manager
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Specialist Technical
Roles recruited:
Tailings / TSF Engineer
Engineer of Record
Geotechnical Engineer / Slope Stability Lead
Water Resources / Dewatering Engineer
Hydrogeologist
Closure & Rehabilitation Lead
Environmental Specialist
Tailings Risk & Assurance / Critical Controls Lead
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latest defence job opportunities
Why defence professionals Choose PARTNER
The defence industry values experience, credibility and long-term relationships.
Many senior appointments are made through targeted executive search rather than open advertising, particularly where organisations require leaders with security-cleared experience, defence program knowledge or established relationships across government and industry.
Our consultants understand the unique nature of defence careers and work closely with professionals to identify opportunities aligned with their technical expertise, leadership capability and long-term aspirations. Whether you're transitioning from Defence into industry, progressing within the private sector or seeking a broader executive role, we provide access to organisations investing in Australia's future capability.
- Access confidential executive search assignments supporting Australia's defence industry and sovereign capability initiatives.
- Build relationships with recruiters who understand defence programs, acquisition, sustainment and advanced technology environments.
- Receive career guidance tailored to professionals working in highly regulated and security-conscious industries.
- Be introduced to leadership opportunities with defence primes, specialist SMEs, engineering organisations and government suppliers.
- Gain exposure to major defence projects across aerospace, maritime, land, cyber, intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
- Partner with consultants committed to your long-term leadership journey rather than simply your next role.
