Job Description
At BAE Systems Australia
- Do interesting work that MATTERS
- ENJOY what you do
- GROW your career
- Be YOU
We work in a thriving sector – one that puts us at the forefront of exciting and meaningful work. Every day we push boundaries to produce some of the world’s most innovative and groundbreaking technology. Individually we all contribute to our success. Collectively we make the impossible possible.
Recognised for delivering projects of global and national significance that help keep Australia safe, it is our shared passion that shapes our culture, and our people that make it a great place to work.
About the OPPORTUNITY
We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel.
The Legal Counsel is responsible for the implementation of legal solutions to assist BAE Systems Australia in a fast-moving complex working environment. The position is accountable for business legal support and compliance.
This role operates as part of the broader legal team providing timely and relevant legal support, striking the right balance between managing risk and delivering competitive customer solutions, but is a dedicated role within a specific program with responsibility for supply chain and procurement contracting support.
This is a part‑time position, working 3 days per week. Based out of our Flinders Street (South Australia), you will play a visible and high‑impact role in a growing sector, with the opportunity to influence, innovate, and drive real change.
Key responsibilities include:
The Legal Counsel will be part of the specific program and broader legal team, depending on complexity the output might be done independently or in collaboration with other team members:
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts to support commercial, supply chain, and procurement activities.
- Providing legal support to assist the Company manage its intellectual property rights and obligations and maintaining a culture of delivering the highest standards of legal, regulatory and ethical compliance (including security export controls and business ethics) and compliance with mandated company policies
- Maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations; preparing, reviewing and enhancing legal functional tools such as precedent documents, legal policies and training materials; supporting implementation of legal policies and processes, including anti-bribery and corruption, conflict of interest, probity, ethics and code of conduct
About YOU
To be successful in this role, the Legal Counsel will possess:
- Law Degree and other requirements enabling admission to practice in Australia
- Recent working experience, post qualification, at a law firm and/ or relevant in-house role
- Eligible to obtain and maintain a Defence security clearance
- Experience in Contract, Commercial, and Intellectual Property law (required)
- Experience in ethics, WHS obligations, Dispute Resolution and regulatory compliance (desirable)
- Solid commercial and drafting skills
- Contract review and negotiation experience from a legal perspective
- Experience providing legal support on a variety of transactions
We believe in hiring for potential, we know that some candidates hesitate if they don’t tick all the boxes. If this role interests you, but you don’t meet all the criteria, we still encourage you to apply.
About US
You will be joining a workplace that truly cares about your wellbeing.
Our people are diverse and we value the variety of perspectives this brings, we know that a culture that is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging is a place we can all make the most of our unique talents and be our best.
As Australia’s largest defence company in a rapidly growing sector, you will be connected into a global team and encouraged to explore where your career might take you whether that is a traditional career path or squiggly one, there are infinite possibilities for you at BAE Systems Australia.
BAE Systems recognises the sacrifices of those who have served our Nation and their families. We support our veteran community through our internal veteran network (VetNet Australia) and strong charitable partnerships, internal offerings including reserve service leave, a Veteran Mentoring Program and other exclusive offerings available through our strategic partners.
We welcome applicants from all people regardless of sex, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, age, or other lived experience; and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all positions.
We are proud to be recognised as an employer of choice for women by WORK180.
Awarded the Benchmarcx ‘Top Employer for Candidate Experience Excellence 2026′. As a member of the Circle Back Initiative we commit to respond to every applicant.
To learn more about our competitive employee benefits, flexibility, other employment opportunities and what to expect from our recruitment process please visit: www.baesystemscareers.com.au
Clearances
As a Defence security clearance is required for this role, applicants must be Australian citizens and either possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain appropriate clearances. Further information regarding security clearances.
We protect what matters.
We’re a skilled, collaborative, and increasingly diverse community of around 100,000 people in over 40 countries, creating some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace, marine, land, and security solutions.
At our core is an overarching purpose – we play our part in protecting those who protect us, making the future more secure for everyone. Those who connect with our purpose feel pride in being part of something bigger; motivated by their ability to make a difference by creating bold, pioneering products and services that can change the world we live in.
To do this, we must always look to the future to find new ways and new ideas to advance – whilst putting our people front and centre. Championing better ways of doing things, striving for excellence in everything we do, being more efficient and sustainable.
We have a 40+ year heritage of working in data and security. Since 2000, we have expanded rapidly through the digital revolution, working in multiple industries and building our portfolio of cutting edge solutions. Our new company, Digital Intelligence, launched at the beginning of 2022 bringing together digital capabilities from across the BAE Systems Group.
To secure our ambitious future, we are committed to investing in our people, with the tools, support and inclusive environment for you to embrace a fulfilling career. Life at BAE Systems is always dynamic and challenging, with immense opportunity, and lifelong development available to all.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or just stepping out into the world of work, we’ve a wide range of career opportunities available. Whether it's engineering or technology, project management or manufacturing, you'll be helping our customers protect what really matters.
- Opportunities -
Working at BAE Systems brings immense opportunity. A long and fulfilling career, with first-class training and lifelong development available to all, with all the support to help make it happen.
The scale at which we operate generates endless opportunities to work across diverse roles, specialisms, cultures and countries. Achieving our growth ambitions needs everyone to own their role and find their unique place. This is a place to be curious, build your network, feel empowered and motivated by your team, sharing in our purpose to protect what matters and create a safer future.
As many of our team can demonstrate, it’s possible to have multiple careers throughout your time here. There’s always the opportunity to retrain or reskill, whether through a formal programme or exploring our on demand virtual learning platform where you can explore tailored resources aligned to each of our functions.
- Learning beyond your role -
We provide the opportunity to get involved in projects outside of your primary remit. We encourage you to seek a stretch project in which you’ll gain different experiences. With our huge portfolio of products and our multinational presence, there are opportunities to get involved in something different around every corner. Additionally, we encourage involvement in community projects, STEM initiatives and our employee resource groups, which all provide valuable learning and development experiences that you may not have access to in your day-to-day role.
- Learning and resources -
Lifelong learning is a reality at BAE Systems, and we’re proud to be a diverse, inclusive, and supportive employer, helping everyone build a career to be proud of, delivering our purpose of protecting those that protect us all.
Our resources are accessible at any time and from any device and consider inclusive learning styles by offering these through a variety of platforms such as videos, books, guides and structured virtual learning programmes through our digital learning plaform, Spark.