QUT’s practical and industry-driven approach to learning has given me critical skills in preparation for my future career. The hands-on experience I’ve had building and testing unmanned aerial vehicles and various robots has been invaluable.
ANDREW CLOSE
Electrical and aerospace and mechatronics student
As an engineer you have the potential to make a significant impact by creating solutions to global challenges.
Careers
Aaron
Associate Professor
Wondering where a STEM degree could take you? How about cyber security engineering in our defence force, or even launching your career out of this world?
In Australia, the space industry already employs more than 15,000 people and with the launch of our own space agency, the sector is expected to support a further 25,000 jobs by 2028.
And we’re not just talking about working as an astronaut – we’ll need lots of different skills as our space sector grows. You could score a role in design and manufacturing, aviation, robotics, data analysis, electrical engineering, aerospace, or even applying engineering to law and medicine.
If defence is on your radar, career opportunities are equally broad and diverse. We also have our own space force – the Space Defence Command – to bolster Australia’s space defence capabilities.
And you won’t need to wait until you’ve graduated to launch your career into space! At QUT, we’re supporting Australia’s first Moon mission – and you could be part of it.
In 2024 we launched Australia’s largest covered lunar testing facility, Yandiwanba, on QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus. The $7 million lunar testbed is used by researchers and external partners to trial targeted space equipment and robotics in realistic Moon, Mars and asteroid conditions.
The lunar testbed will support loads of fascinating research into everything from autonomous rover navigation to how to fly drones on Mars.
QUT robotics researchers have also contributed to the tech behind rovers exploring Mars, and are a part of the team developing Australia’s first lunar rover.
If you’re a future mechatronics, robotics or industrial design student – the learning opportunities available are literally, out of this world.
Dr Aaron McFadyen, School of Electrical Engineering & Robotics, QUT
A lot has happened in the arena of space since the first Moon walk. And it’s more about innovation than aliens…
Star Wars is one of the biggest blockbuster enterprises of all time, and did you know it has also led the way in space innovation? From iconic lightsabers to galaxy-hopping spacecraft, the franchise has inspired countless innovations in the space and defence sectors. In real life it’s the people at places like NASA, The Australian Space Agency (ASA), Defence Science and Technology (DST), SpaceX and Blue Origin who are making the magic happen.
Whether it’s being part of a team working on new spacesuit tech that helps astronauts float in orbit safely for longer; launching satellites into space to monitor cyber signals and the dark web; or observing Earth for environmental and oceanography movement via pictures from afar, there are plenty of jobs in the space realm.
Job security, working for the “good” guys and having a galactic time at the office? Your dream career is ready for lift off in ten, nine, eight, seven
orYou have to GO to space to work in the space sector!
There is plenty of work done on the ground. Control rooms, machinery development, safety planning… It’s not just astronauts, scientists and engineers that the space industry needs either. People with data science, mapping, agriculture and mining skills are also an essential part of the team.
Working for national defence means full-on combat!
While plenty of Australians do pursue the option of joining our defence forces and we thank them for it, this isn’t that. Working in the national defence sector means supporting these departments to safeguard Australia against future defence and national security challenges. Scientists, engineers and technical specialists collaborate with the government and industry to solve problems, create new tech and research new, improved and safe solutions for our forces.
On a mission
The dream of becoming an astronaut is a step closer for Eastern Arrente man and QUT Master of Engineering student David Corporal thanks to an internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. “Space exploration is the ultimate frontier, and my passion is being able to push this frontier by helping overcome engineering challenges,” he says. “Throughout my journey I have been grateful to have the support of my family and many others, and now QUT.”
If you know what you like but aren’t sure how it adds up to a job in the space/defence sector, we’ve connected the dots for you.
If you’re into...
Follow the job ads to aerospace engineering and put your STEM skills towards solving the complex challenges involved in designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. From developing more efficient engines to designing advanced materials, aerospace engineering offers endless possibilities for exploration and innovation. Subjects: physics, maths, engineering, computer science
The Australian government has invested heavily in securing Aussie defences — like dedicating $230 million to cyber security. Developing safe software; coming up with new bullet-proof protection for our troops; and inventing ways to fuel air-force jets could be your calling.
Subjects: chemistry, maths, computer science, mechatronic engineering
Work as: an aerospace engineer; in research; for the government. (The Department of Defence offers graduate ops across a bunch of defence.gov.au/Graduates/program-technology)disciplines:
Earn: graduate salaries start from $71K*
Work as: design engineer, project manager Earn: $59K-$155K*
Here’s a hitlist of other job titles you could be adding to your resume...
• Defence industry scientist
• Entrepreneur
• Remote-sensing scientist
• Propulsion engineer
• Space scientist
• Astronaut
• Satellite communications analyst
• Launch operations manager
• RAAF engineer
• Space data analyst
Like rockets, robots, drones or satellites… space is pretty inspiring so get your tools out. Sending automated machines into space can help efficiency back here on Earth in everything from agriculture and conservation to hooking up your Netflix, making a FaceTime call on your smartphone or not getting lost using virtual maps. Sounds pretty interesting, right?
Subjects: computer science, electrical/ mechanical engineering, industrial design
Work as: an aerospace engineer; in development; for private enterprise. (We’re talking companies like Fleet Space, SpaceX, Rocket Lab)
Earn: $61K-$138K*
… and the skills to get you there
✔ Detail orientated
Good communicator
Problem solver ✔ Analytical thinker
Team player
Curious ✔ Creative
defence
Kathleen Boseley, international travel and cool aircraft are just part of the job.
athleen has worked in the US, UK and Australia, conducted engine runs in the cockpit of a RAAF F-111, and even scored a trip on the Queen’s private plane!
While working as the Deputy Chief Engineer at Airbus in Brisbane, Kathleen took to the skies in the MRH-90 multi-role helicopter (Taipan) to do system testing.
“It was an awesome opportunity,” she says.
Kathleen was at Airbus for 10 years. She had engineering and system monitoring roles before starting a job as Manager Engineering Services in 2019.
In the course of her exciting career, she’s worked on prototype jets, unmanned planes and helicopters as well as cool tech such as control and navigation systems.
“You get to see the whole lifecycle,” she says.
Kathleen originally set her sights on becoming an airforce pilot, but decided not to go down that path for medical reasons.
Instead, she opted to study aerospace engineering at QUT. After uni, Kathleen started out as an avionic systems engineer at Boeing in Queensland, then moved to the UK and became a systems engineer at Raytheon.
“I really wanted to travel,” she says.
Kathleen’s travel bug then took her to the US – first to Honeywell in Florida, then Northrop Grumman in San Diego.
There, Kathleen worked on the X-47B – one of the first unmanned combat aerial vehicles. She also had some pretty excellent job perks.
“Northrop Grumman had their own shuttle plane, because the traffic around LA was so horrendous,” Kathleen says.
Kathleen says that doing well in maths and science at school is a good way to set yourself up for a defence avionics career. And don’t be afraid to ask questions or approach people working in the field.
“Don’t be shy,” she says.
Thinking about where you want to live is also important. Many defence bases are in remote areas, although there are some opportunities to live and work in cities.
Another advantage of a defence aerospace career is the globe-trotting lifestyle.
“Take the chance to work overseas if you can,” Kathleen says, adding that a role at a global aerospace company can open doors to international travel.
I went to work in a shuttle plane, because the traffic was so horrendous!”
Since childhood, Nic Zettl has had a passion for space. Now, he creates tech to help homegrown commercial rockets blast off
Nic is a guidance, navigation and control (GNC) engineer at Queensland-based Gilmour Space. He designs systems that tell a rocket where it is, where it’s pointing, and how to get to where it needs to go.
Nic’s been in his current job for around eight months, but has worked at the company for over two years. He started out as an undergrad intern, then took up a full-time software engineering role after graduating from his engineering degree at QUT.
“In the first two weeks I was in a HAZMAT suit prepping rocket fuel!” Nick says.
Nic also has experience outside the space industry. During his degree, he did an internship as a quality assurance analyst on powerline assets, and set up the asset-tracking system at a glass manufacturing firm.
Here’s what a typical day looks like:
6.00am
Get up and have a morning coffee with my wife. I try to keep to one a day! Then I get on the road and drive to work.
8.30am
Get in to work at the Gilmour factory on the Gold Coast. I check emails as we have lots of overseas suppliers and customers, so I have to catch up on time zone differences.
9.00am
I might travel out to one of our test sites to have fun getting my hands dirty! One exciting task is helping with propulsion tests and data logging on rocket motors.
1.30pm
If I’m not on site, there’s a great cafe near the factory. We head out as a team to stretch our legs and get some sunshine. It’s hard to go past a good steak sandwich!
2.30pm
I spend a good chunk of my day programming and reviewing work with the team. We need to get the sensors, hardware and software working together properly.
4pm
I might have meetings where reps from different projects give updates on their successes or challenges. Or maybe do research to wrap my head around different areas of physics, maths or programming.
5.00pm
It’s a high pressure job with tight deadlines, so sometimes we need to work longer hours to meet our goals. It’s well worth it to do what I love! After work I play basketball a couple of times a week and referee soccer.
Watch a real-life rocket engine test fire: 5vyhef00ebYyoutu.be/
Choose this career if you… > Love cutting-edge tech
> Are a big-picture thinker
> Love excitement and diversity > Are a problem-solver > Love learning new things
Got your heart set on a next-level career in space and defence? Prepare for launch
Get job inspiration from the couch! Stream these fun, STEM-themed movies and call it homework and career prep all in one
Elio (2025)
Subjects covered: Chemistry, biology, physics
Like your space films with a side of cute? When alien-obsessed, 11-year-old Elio is accidentally transported to an interplanetary paradise, he’s mistaken for Earth’s leader and is forced to navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions. His passion and love for space will hit you in the feels.
Moonfall (2022)
Subjects covered: Physics, technology
Choosing high school electives?
These subjects will set you on the right path to a career in space and defence ✔ Science ✔ Maths ✔ Physics ✔ IT ✔ Engineering
Two former astronauts and a conspiracy theorist discover the Moon is controlled by artificial intelligence when it starts on a collision course with Earth. Will they be able to correct the Moon’s orbit and save our planet, and all of humanity, from destruction? This is a must-watch for fans of all things tech and space.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Subjects covered: Physics, engineering, maths
This action-packed sequel to the classic 1986 original Top Gun movie follows the daring pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he trains a new generation of aviators. With breathtaking aerial stunts and impressive special effects, this blockbuster is bound to leave you in awe of the exciting world of aviation; a must-watch for fans of high-flying adventure.
Mickey 17 (2025)
Subjects covered: Physics, engineering, technology
Adapted from iconic sci-fi novel Mickey7 , Mickey17follows the out-of-this- world journey of Mickey Barnes, a financially struggling man who signs up as a disposable crew member on an intergalactic mission headed straight for a mysterious ice planet. Starring Robert Pattinson, space and science lovers will geek out over the epic visuals and advanced cloning concepts. Prepare to laugh too!
