Rapid growth trajectory creates new jobs
The Australian Government’s commitment to modernise Australia's defence and security capabilities has helped Saab Australia secure several long-term projects and grow our workforce.
When Andy Keough joined Saab Australia as Managing Director in late 2017, the workforce comprised around 350 employees across four states.
Staff numbers are now approaching 500 since securing a number of core defence and security contracts, and strengthening local capabilities in cyber security and mixed reality development.
“The demand for skilled staff is increasing rapidly as the core defence platforms and systems being designed, built and supported here take shape,” said Andy Keough.
Saab established its Australian headquarters and local company at Technology Park, South Australia in 1987 to support and build Australia’s defence capability.
“Our first contract was building and integrating Australia’s unique combat system for the Anzac class frigates,” said Andy Keough.
In a short period of time, the company grew from a handful of Swedes transferring their world-best technology, to a large defence and security business wholly staffed by and led by Australians.
In 2017, the Australian Government announced that Aegis would provide the combat system for the Hunter class, together with an Australian tactical interface developed by Saab Australia. The government also mandated the Australian tactical interface be applied to the Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyers when their Aegis combat management system is upgraded in the future.
In early 2019 Saab Australia was selected as one of BAE Systems Combat System Integration Partners to deliver the Combat System Integration on the Hunter Class frigates.
“Our security and civil business is also expanding, where we design and support electronic systems that protect federal and state-owned infrastructure and streamline civil aviation. Saab technology now secures many major Australian airports, prisons and hospitals.
“Our mixed reality capability has grown to a fully-resourced studio where we develop applications to solve defence, health, marketing, geospatial and training challenges,” Andy Keough said.
Another growth area for the business is cyber security risk mitigation that stemmed from the need to protect internal systems and now protects government and commercial customers.
The mass proliferation of ransomware, intellectual property theft and financial fraud has created an enormous risk to every business using digital data.
Saab Australia’s information risk management services are in high demand and the team continues to expand.
“Around eighty percent of our workforce comprises software, hardware and systems engineers whose elite skills rank amongst the best in the nation.
“There’s never been a more exciting time to pursue a career with technology. Over the next few months we’ll be recruiting up to one hundred new positions,” Andy Keough said.
The company’s research, systems development laboratories and engineering workshops are located in its Adelaide headquarters, supported by satellite offices across the country.
If you’re interested in joining the team, visit our careers site to see the current list of open vacancies.