Leidos | First Officer

CL604 First Officer – Special Mission Aviation

About Leidos Airborne Solutions Australia

Leidos Airborne Solutions Australia stands as a leading aviation innovator and trusted partner to the Australian Government, dedicated to safeguarding national borders and saving lives. The organisation conducts critical airborne special missions, encompassing border surveillance and life-saving search-and-rescue (SAR) operations across over 10% of the Earth’s surface. With strategic aviation bases throughout Australia and the Indian Ocean Territories, supported by a 24/7 Operations Centre, Systems Integration Lab, and Mission Equipment Service Centre, Leidos ensures unparalleled mission success.

Leidos fosters innovation through collaborations with Australian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), prototyping and testing advanced mission systems and integrating world-class Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technology. Leidos is committed to a culture of diversity, inclusion, and shared purpose, valuing diverse thought, experience, and perspectives to drive innovation.

Learn more about our culture and benefits on the Leidos Careers page.

The Opportunity

This presents an exceptional opportunity for a skilled CL604 First Officer to advance their career within a dynamic team focused on multi-role ISR missions. The role offers a highly attractive remuneration package, including a generous base salary of $112,000 AUD plus additional allowances. Leidos promotes work-life balance through a lifestyle-friendly roster and comprehensive leave provisions, ensuring team members enjoy fulfilling professional and personal lives.

About the Role: CL604 First Officer

As a CL604 First Officer, the successful candidate will operate special mission-configured aircraft, providing essential support to critical Australian Government operations. Based in Australia, the First Officer will serve as an integral part of a dedicated flight crew, upholding the highest standards of safety, precision, and mission accomplishment. This challenging role demands unwavering commitment to operational readiness and meticulous attention to detail.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operating CL604 aircraft within complex special mission environments.
• Actively supporting mission planning and execution in close collaboration with Commanders.
• Maintaining rigorous operational readiness and exemplary safety standards.
• Accurately completing all required mission documentation and reporting.
• Fostering effective liaison with technical, operations, and ground support teams.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential Requirements:

• Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident status is required. Applicants should be aware that specific nationality restrictions may apply due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements.
• Possession of an Australian Passport or a passport from a country without travel restrictions.
• Current Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and a Multi-Engine Aircraft (MEA) Instrument Rating with 2D/3D capabilities.
• Valid CASA Class 1 Aviation Medical.
• A minimum of 1500 hours total flying time.
• A minimum of 250 hours total flying time in command (PIC) or in command under supervision (ICUS).
• A minimum of 250 hours multi-engine time.
• Completion of ATPL Human Factors training.
• Eligibility to hold an Aviation Security Identity Card (ASIC).
• A commitment to being within a 30-minute radius of the assigned airport when on night standby duty.

Leidos encourages interested candidates to apply even if they do not meet every single requirement, as strengths, learning aspirations, and potential for growth are highly valued.

Highly Regarded Experience:

• Previous experience in low-level flying operations.
• Experience in Search and Rescue (SAR) or surveillance operations.

Diversity, Inclusion & Culture

Leidos Australia is an equal opportunities organisation, deeply committed to fostering a truly inclusive workplace. The organisation actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, neurodiverse people, and individuals of all genders, sexualities, and age groups. Leidos believes that diversity of thought, experience, and perspective is fundamental to driving innovation and achieving smarter solutions.

Providing customers with smarter solutions takes an incredible team with diversity of thought, experience, and perspectives driving innovation. Inclusion is at the heart of our culture and is one of our core values. It’s about creating a workplace where everyone can do important work, feels welcome, valued, and respected, and has equal access to opportunities to thrive. Leidos' five Advocacy Groups (Women and Allies Network, Young Professionals, Defence & Emergency Services, Action for Accessibility and Abilities, and Pride+) provide opportunities for team members to connect and collaborate on shared interests, and work to support and celebrate our diverse community.

Application Process

Prospective candidates are invited to apply via the Leidos Careers page. The comprehensive recruitment process typically includes:

• One behavioural-based interview.
• A simulator assessment.
• Thorough background checks and a police check.
• A pre-employment medical examination.

Applicants should be aware that International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements may place limitations on persons holding dual nationality, permanent residency, or former nationality of certain countries, as per ITAR 126.1.

Leidos is committed to making its recruitment process accessible; candidates requiring additional support during their application or throughout the recruitment process are encouraged to contact the Careers team.