What's your job about?
Nova Systems does a lot of things. Most often we contract people out to do work for clients on projects that involve test and evaluation, system safety, project management, training, and other engineering and technology solutions. I work as a Systems Engineer for Nova. Systems Engineering is a type of engineering that looks into what the “problem” is of a particular situation and specifically what is required in a solution. It incorporates lots of different branches of knowledge and skills from the engineering and science disciplines to provide solutions for any or all of the planning, development, acquisition, sustainment or disposal stages of a system. Across the different projects I have been involved in I have been tasked to help with the recording of structural defects/inspections, creating a UAS training presentation, supporting bid documents, and tracking spare inventory. Furthermore, I have been able to help develop work instructions, documentation, and a project plan when I was given the opportunity to become an acting project manager, as well as do schedule planning for the land domain. I have completed system safety assessments on the KC-30A maintenance tasks, analysing the task, assessing the risk, and determining if errors could impact flight safety. I then also carried that experience over to do safety assessments on explosive ordnance. And lastly, I plan out and coordinate the work experience program, running information and panel sessions for the students and helping them throughout their time on the program. These are all different.
What's your background?
I was born in South Africa, but also had the pleasure of living in England for 4 years before immigrating to Australia in 2008. Throughout my life, I have also had the joys of travelling to many places in the world with my parents. I completed high school in Canberra and then was lucky enough to land a scholarship to do a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering (Honours) at UNSW Canberra (ADFA). This meant I got to study alongside our Defence Force. During this time, I met Nova Systems at a university event and loved what I saw about their culture. I then joined Nova in 2019 in the Nova Graduate program where I have had the pleasure of working on multiple projects. Not being picky with what I work on and rather seeing what opportunities arise and going where life took me, I have been able to work across multiple projects and tasks which has been great. I have worked on structural integrity, aircraft system safety assessments for maintenance tasks, explosive ordnance, and other smaller tasks like bid development and UAS training course development. During the last 3+ years, I have also had the honour of being listed as a finalist for the Defence Connect Awards – Graduate of the Year as well as shortlisted for the Nova Rising Star Director’s Award. These were great achievements for me, and I was so blessed to have been provided with the support and opportunity to accomplish this.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
I’d say yes. My job depends on more than a specific degree. We have a lot of engineers from different engineering degrees working on the same projects. What is most important is the problem-solving skills you learn in your engineering degrees combined with your soft skills like communication, teamwork and your desire to learn new things. Someone could have a similar degree through struggle as a systems engineer due to a lack in these other important “soft” skills and characteristics. A systems engineer benefits from both hard skills such as technical knowledge obtained from university and experiences in the industry and soft skills such as communication, teamwork and an inquisitive mind. Both are equally important!
What's the coolest thing about your job?
I really love the social and people aspect of Nova. So not only has it been amazing that I could join the social committee and help run social and charitable events such as the biggest morning tea bake-off, but I also got the opportunity to help with the work experience and graduate program. For the last 2 years, I have been Working Experience Coordinator, which has been absolutely amazing! Being able to help and support students and show them how amazing Nova is and make their work experience time great has been very rewarding. I also get to help with the university engagement and school engagement which has been a great experience.-
What are the limitations of your job?
Since Nova predominantly works on a contract basis it means that projects are variable by nature. So, there can be variation in terms of what, where and how you are doing the work and with who you are working. Sometimes you may be on a project that is only a few months, or perhaps it is only part-time so you might be working on 2 projects at the same time. So, you constantly need to adapt to new projects, clients, and work, and there may be a steep learning curve at times.
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