Based in Melbourne, Parth has been at Babcock since 2022 and is currently a member of our team delivering and sustaining critical aviation and communication capabilities, supporting Rotary Wing operations.
We sat down with Parth to find out about his career at Babcock.
Tell us about your career prior to Babcock.
Prior to joining Babcock, I worked seven years as a Systems Engineer at BAE Systems Australia. During that time, I was part of an R&D team that developed a machine learning model for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Following that, I was involved in development, acquisition, production and sustainment activities for the Nulka Active Missile Decoy System.
My most memorable experience was hands-on, assembling flight control units for the decoy missile. It was incredibly rewarding to see how all the complex upfront design activities and planning played out seamlessly to put together such a sophisticated piece of technology.
Why did you choose to join Babcock?
I was drawn to the opportunity to come on board as a Senior Systems Engineer for the Counter – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (C-CBRNE) program, where I could lead the acquisition of critical C-CBRNE assets.
Since joining, I have seen firsthand that Babcock provides incredible opportunities for engineering career growth. Through the company’s talent engagement program, I was given the opportunity to step up and lead the Product Quality function for Australasia as a Principal Engineer.
I have now been given another opportunity to lead engineering operations within the Aviation business. This proves to me that Babcock is an organisation that invests in its people and provides a rewarding culture where effective outcomes and capability are recognised.
How does your team contribute to our purpose of ‘Creating a safe and secure world, together’ and what is your role in this?
My team directly contributes to this purpose by delivering and sustaining critical aviation and communication capabilities.
In my current role, I lead the engineering activities required to ensure that our helicopters are equipped with robust communication systems. My role is to oversee the end-to-end engineering lifecycle for this capability, from initial concept through to test execution and transitioning the aircraft into operational service.
What are the most enjoyable and/or interesting aspects of your job?
The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing complex concepts come to life. When a technical solution is carefully planned, executed exactly as designed, navigating all the real-world engineering risks along the way, the feeling of satisfaction is immense. It is the professional equivalent of watching a massive, complex puzzle flawlessly click into place after hours of focus.
What is your proudest moment since joining Babcock?
Rather than a single proud moment, my time here has been a humbling learning journey focused on continuous improvement.
A great example of this is our current work on our Rotary Wing capability. Taking a complex concept, navigating the rigorous systems engineering lifecycle and establishing the design baseline for these mission critical systems has been incredibly rewarding. Knowing that our team’s daily discipline translates directly into a safe, reliable capability for our aviation clients is what drives me forward.
What advice would you give to someone looking to develop their career in engineering?
To grow in engineering, I think it is important to focus on the full engineering lifecycle, get hands on experience across different phases and treat feedback as a tool for growth. It is a humbling journey, so celebrate the small, day-to-day wins to keep up the momentum.
It is vital to understand that engineering is a team sport. Technical skills get you in the door, but collaboration and communication are what actually deliver complex systems.
In a nutshell:
1. Put in the work to gain the right knowledge.
2. Engage the right people for support.
3. Ensure you communicate widely, keeping colleagues across the business in the loop on how your product or project is evolving.
Learn more about a career with Babcock
At Babcock, you’ll be part of something bigger with opportunity across Babcock’s global reach of diverse and innovative programs. With an engineering career at Babcock you have the opportunity to work across a diverse range of programs and projects:
- Design, modify and maintain naval ships
- Design, build and maintain ship and submarine systems
- Develop advanced communication and surveillance systems
- Modify and maintain aircraft
- Develop and maintain systems for future soldiers.
Read more on our Engineering Careers page.