A clear path into complex defence work
From intern to casual worker to a part of a grad program, Harvey Michels’ path into engineering has been smooth sailing since first working at Saab Australia in 2022. He’s now part of the team working on combat system for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hunter-class frigates, contributing to one of Australia’s most advanced naval programs.
Most days of the week, Harvey Michels’ trip from his desk to get a coffee reminds him that he’s working on something big.
As a Saab Australia graduate engineer, Harvey is part of the Combat Systems Integrated Project Team (CSIPT) and is based at Adelaide’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, where the local café gives him an inspiring view of some of the vessels under construction or in for upgrade.
“Being at the shipyard, you’re right up close to the work as it happens,” he says.
“When a Hobart‑class ship is there, you walk past it on the way to the café. Seeing something that significant up close makes the work feel very real.”
While he sees a Hobart vessel three days a week, Harvey’s key focus for the moment is the six future Hunter-class vessels currently in detailed design and the early stages of construction for the Commonwealth. As a Graduate Nav and Comms Systems Engineer, he helps manage and maintain the requirements and documentation that ensure the ship’s navigation and communications systems are fully integrated into the combat system.
He’s learning all the time and takes pride in knowing his work is playing a role in developing an asset that will help to keep Australia safe.
“It’s rewarding to know that something you’ve worked on will eventually make its way onto the ship,” he says. “I can see it now in the 3D model and, hopefully, in five or six years, I’ll be able to see it in the actual ship because of the contribution I’ve made.”
A combat system to keep Australia safe
Ensuring the combat system on Hunter-class vessels is world-class and able to manage complex, modern threats is the responsibility of three major defence companies working in close cooperation. BAE Systems is leading the overall ship design and build, Lockheed Martin is providing its Aegis combat system, and Saab is developing an Australian Interface that will bring the ship’s sensors, weapons and communications together. The Australian Interface will also enable the Hunter class vessels to integrate seamlessly with other fleet assets using Saab’s Australian Combat Management System (Aus CMS), including Anzacclass frigates equipped with 9LV.
The CSIPT is responsible for delivering and integrating the combat system, and he works three days a week at a multi-company shared office at Osborne Naval Shipyard and two days a week at Saab’s head office at Mawson Lakes.
Learning in a complex environment
On a typical day, Harvey works across requirements and design documentation, helping ensure the ship’s navigation and communications capability is clearly defined and aligned within the wider combat system. He spends much of his time updating technical documents and managing requirements in specialised tools, making sure everything flows through from high-level design to individual systems. Working closely with senior engineers and other teams, he also collaborates across the project to keep the many interconnected elements of the combat system on track.
“There are many highly experienced people here who’ve been working on these systems for 10, 20, even 30 years, and they bring an incredible depth of knowledge,” Harvey says. “I work closely with them – asking lots of questions and learning from their experience to make sure I’m on the right track.”
From internship to graduate
While the path from university to meaningful employment can be challenging for some, Harvey says his association with Saab Australia has made the process smooth sailing.
He successfully applied for an internship with Saab in 2022 while completing a double degree in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Adelaide. That experience led to ongoing casual work in Saab’s civil division, supporting software projects while completing his degree. Long before he completed his studies, Harvey was offered a place in the graduate program which he willingly accepted.
“I have felt really supported throughout my time at Saab – from my internship into an undergraduate role and then the graduate program,” he says.
“The progression was seamless, and everything aligned really well.”
Working within the CSIPT has also given Harvey early exposure to the scale and complexity of a major defence program. With multiple companies contributing to a single capability, collaboration is essential – and it’s an environment where he’s been able to quickly build confidence.