Head of Engineering & Interoperability
Help shape the future of Australian rail standards and interoperability.
Location: National – Australia-wide
Employment type: Full-time
Portfolio: National Technical Coordination
Why ARISO – why now
Australia is entering a new era of national rail standards, and ARISO is at the forefront of this transformation.
With strong alignment between governments and industry, the Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation (ARISO) is embarking on an ambitious five-year reform program to strengthen national rail safety, productivity and interoperability.
This represents a fundamental shift in how Australia's rail standards are developed, harmonised and adopted. ARISO is evolving into a national technical authority, bringing together specialist engineering expertise, industry leadership and international best practice to support a safer, more efficient and better-connected railway.
As an industry-owned, not-for-profit organisation, ARISO is significantly expanding its technical capability and creating opportunities for experienced professionals to influence national priorities, strengthen industry collaboration and deliver lasting outcomes.
This is an opportunity to help shape ARISO's next chapter and make a visible contribution to Australia's rail future.
Your opportunity to make an impact
We are seeking an accomplished engineering leader to join ARISO as our Head of Engineering & Interoperability.
Reporting to the Executive Director, National Technical Coordination, you will lead the integration of technical standards across rolling stock, signalling, operational technology and network rules, supporting a safer, more efficient and interoperable national railway.
Leading four specialist technical functions, you will bring together expertise across disciplines to resolve complex engineering interfaces, strengthen national consistency and develop authoritative, practical standards.
You will have genuine scope to influence national engineering priorities, collaborate with senior industry decision-makers and turn technical expertise into measurable improvements for the rail industry.
What you will shape and deliver
- Lead the integration of Tier 1 (mandatory), Tier 2 (harmonised) and relevant ARISO standards across rolling stock, signalling, operational technology, network rules and infrastructure interfaces.
- Drive a whole-of-system engineering approach, resolving technical conflicts, gaps and inconsistencies across standards and disciplines.
- Provide authoritative technical leadership to strengthen national interoperability, engineering consistency and system safety.
- Lead and develop four specialist technical leads, building capability, collaboration and accountability.
- Influence national technical priorities and drive consensus among industry leaders, technical committees, infrastructure managers and regulators.
- Oversee Communities of Practice, strengthening technical collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Provide expert advice to ARISO members, the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR).
- Identify emerging technologies and international developments to improve safety, efficiency and technical performance.
- Strengthen technical quality assurance and peer review to ensure national standards are robust and fit for purpose.
What you'll bring
You are a credible engineering leader who combines deep technical expertise with whole-of-system thinking and the ability to influence complex stakeholder environments.
You understand that successful interoperability demands sound engineering judgement, collaboration and a commitment to shared national outcomes.
You will bring:
- A degree in a relevant engineering discipline, with Chartered Engineer status strongly preferred.
- Extensive systems engineering expertise and an understanding of complex railway subsystems and their interfaces.
- Strong knowledge of Australian rail safety legislation, standards development and interoperability frameworks.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and resolving complex technical challenges.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and consensus-building skills.
- Highly developed analytical and communication skills, including the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into practical guidance.
You will be comfortable challenging established approaches, providing considered technical advice and leading through expertise, collaboration and professional credibility.
What we offer
National impact: Influence the standards and technical frameworks shaping the future of Australian rail.
Shape ARISO's future: Join at a pivotal stage of transformation, with genuine scope to influence national priorities and technical outcomes.
Access and visible contribution: Work directly with senior leaders and industry decision-makers, with clear ownership of your contribution.
Industry influence: Collaborate with operators, infrastructure managers, regulators, governments and technical experts to drive national outcomes.
Purpose with accountability: Turn technical expertise into practical improvements in rail safety, interoperability and productivity.
Flexible and inclusive working: An Australia-wide opportunity with flexible working arrangements, collaboration and occasional interstate travel.
Inclusion and accessibility
ARISO welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and values diverse perspectives, experience and expertise, including relevant transferable capability from other regulated and safety-critical sectors.
We are committed to an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you require reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know.
How to apply
Exceptional people. One national ambition.
If you are ready to bring your engineering leadership and expertise to a nationally significant reform program, we welcome your application.
Please submit your CV and a maximum two-page statement outlining your motivation, relevant experience and the unique contribution you would bring to ARISO.