Updating Results

Department of Defence - Civilian Engineer Development Program (Navy)

4.5
  • > 100,000 employees

Department of Defence - Civilian Engineer Development Program (Navy) Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

Watch this space! We are implementing improvements to the program and will be in touch soon.

Civilian Engineer Development Program (CEDP) is one of the most comprehensive development programs in Australia. The initiative, operated by the Head of Navy Engineering (HNE), plays a critical role in delivering current and future Navy capabilities. Successful candidates will contribute to the future of Naval Engineering and gain experience across a wide range of disciplines. While largely based in Canberra or Sydney there are opportunities to be placed in other areas across Australia.

You do not have to enlist in the Navy or wear a uniform to join the CEDP. You will be employed as a Department of Defence (DoD), Australian Public Servant (APS) working within the Navy Engineering Branch.

Over the three year development program, you will have the opportunity to participate in tests and trials, while assisting in the delivery of technical requirements and specifications. You will also be offered six month working rotations across a diverse range of working areas including Industry, Ship/Dock Yards, other Defence Groups such as the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group or Defence Science and Technology Group, and other Navy establishments. The ships, submarines and helicopters of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) are unique and challenging platforms that combine the systems for delivering integrated missions. The Navy requires professional engineers from a broad range of disciplines to acquire, maintain, sustain and upgrade its key capabilities.

Defence is committed to developing a workforce that represents the diversity in Australian culture. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Australians and people with a disability.

Candidates must be Australian citizens to be eligible for employment on the CEDP. 

For further information regarding the program, please visit their website.

Recruitment Process

There are five stages to the Defence application process;

Stage 1 - Online Application Part 1

Upon registering your details through Defence's online recruitment portal you will be asked to complete personal information and asked questions that relate to eligibility for the program such as citizenship and completion of the degree prior to program commencement.

Stage 2 - Online Testing

After submitting your pre-application you will be invited to undertake a short online test, which will be utilised to assess both cognitive and analytical ability. This test takes only 20-30mins. You will be given two days to complete this.

Stage 3 - Online Application Part 2

After completing the online Revelian Cognify assessment, you will be advised via email if you meet the eligibility requirements and if so will be asked to address selection criteria and provide details of academic results, relevant skills, qualifications, current and previous employment.

If invited to submit your application, you will have to complete responses to selection criteria and submit your application. In addition to responding to selection criteria, you will also be asked to enter your degree results (i.e. each subject [Australian degrees only]) and list work experience/employment details.

Stage 4 - Screening and Interviews

Applicants who are found to be competitive on the basis of their Revelian Coginify testing and written application will be invited to attend further screening and interviews.

If selected to attend an interview, details of this interview will be provided to you to assess your competency for a graduate position with the Department.

Stage 5 - Final Selection

If successful, a member of the CEDP Programs Office will make contact via telephone with an offer of employment. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised via e-mail at the end of the selection process.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Graduates are employed under the Defence Enterprise Agreement, which provides a range of generous benefits and entitlements.

The Position

At the commencement of the program, graduates are employed as full-time ongoing employees at the APS 4 level. Upon successful completion of the program, you will have an opportunity to hold a permanent position within the Department.

Salary

We offer a starting salary of $73,343 pa + 15.4% employer contribution to superannuation. Upon successful completion of the Defence Graduate program, you will advance to a permanent position within the Department.

Leave Entitlements

As a full-time Defence employee, graduates are offered generous leave entitlements, including 20 days of annual leave per year, personal leave, public holidays, and a paid Christmas stand-down.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Defence offers and supports flexible working arrangements. Employees are required to work 7.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week), however flexible work hours are offered as an alternative to the traditional 9–5 workday and allow staff to varying their daily arrival or departure time to fit within their lifestyle and work area requirements. Generally, the span of time within which staff can work their required daily 7.5 hours on a flexible basis is 7 am–7 pm, but individual arrangements can be negotiated to fit in with your team and work requirements.

Relocation Expenses

The transition from study to career can be a challenging one. For many of you, it may also be the first time you have worked and/or lived away from home. Should you need to relocate, we will work with you to make the whole process as easy as possible. We offer a generous package, including covering your removal and relocation expenses, to provide assistance with relocation. We also provide you with up to 20 nights of temporary accommodation in serviced apartments to allow you time to find a home at your new location.

Learning and development
Targeted, rotation specific training. Tailored learning and development.

Ongoing development

The further sponsored study is encouraged.

Professional membership

Memberships to Engineers Australia or the Royal Institute of Naval Architects are included in your program. Other professional bodies will also be considered.

For information on the recruitment process, please go to our website.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.5
Overall score based on 20 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.0
Culture
9.4
Management
9.2
Training
9.7
Work Hours
9.0
Culture
9.4
Management
9.2
Training
9.7
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Having a supportive team and great work-life balance
  • Being able to travel with work and meet a variety of people from different departments. I enjoy being able to work for different teams.
  • Flexible work-life balance, continuous career development and training, friendly work culture
  • Options to develop and grow outside of my specific degree. Flexibility to work in different teams, on varying projects. Interesting work content.
  • The confidentiality of the work. People asking how work was and not being able to tell them much!
  • The Canberra Winter
  • Bureaucracy, working in government this is always the case, but changes and developments are slow and have to go through many steps of checks and balances
  • You may be required to travel to get the positions you want

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Canberra, Sydney
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
E
Engineering & Mathematics
I
IT & Computer Science
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Canberra, Sydney
If you are seeking an exciting engineering career with enjoyable and unique experiences you will find it in the Civilian Engineer Development Program
Applications Close
10 May 2024
Start Date
17 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 76,277 / Year

Progression of 3.8% annually on successful performance criteria + 15.4% superannuation.

Graduate Job

Canberra, Sydney
If you are seeking an exciting engineering career with enjoyable and unique experiences you will find it in the Civilian Engineer Development Program
Applications Close
10 May 2024
Start Date
17 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 76,277 / Year

Progression of 3.8% annually on successful performance criteria + 15.4% superannuation.

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Daniel studied Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science (Computer Science) at the University of Adelaide and is now an Underwater Weapons Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Daniel

  • Graduate stories
Daniel studied Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science (Computer Science) at the University of Adelaide and is now an Underwater Weapons Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Daniel

  • Graduate stories
Lachlan studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) at the University of Wollongong and is now a Vulnerability and Signature Management Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Lachlan

  • Graduate stories
Lachlan studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) at the University of Wollongong and is now a Vulnerability and Signature Management Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Lachlan

  • Graduate stories
Daniel studied Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science (Computer Science) at the University of Adelaide and is now an Underwater Weapons Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Daniel

  • Graduate stories
Daniel studied Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) and Bachelor of Mathematical and Computer Science (Computer Science) at the University of Adelaide and is now an Underwater Weapons Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Daniel

  • Graduate stories
Lachlan studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) at the University of Wollongong and is now a Vulnerability and Signature Management Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Lachlan

  • Graduate stories
Lachlan studied a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechatronics) at the University of Wollongong and is now a Vulnerability and Signature Management Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Lachlan


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Lakshan

Lakshan studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechanical) at the University of NSW and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Lakshan

Lakshan studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechanical) at the University of NSW and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Minal

Minal studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechatronics) at the University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Minal

Minal studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechatronics) at the University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Lakshan

Lakshan studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechanical) at the University of NSW and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Lakshan

Lakshan studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechanical) at the University of NSW and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Minal

Minal studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechatronics) at the University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.
  • Day in the life

Minal

Minal studied a Bachelor of Engineering, Hons. (Mechatronics) at the University of New South Wales and is now a Graduate Engineer at the Department of Defence.

Videos


Why Apply for the CEDP

Current and previous graduates and DGENG-N (Director General Engineering - Navy) talk about the benefits of joining the Civilian Engineer Development Program (CEDP).

CEDP Skills and Highlights

Current and previous graduates talk about what they’ve learned and some of the highlights and opportunities they’ve had while on the Civilian Engineer Development Program (CEDP).

Why Apply for the CEDP

Current and previous graduates and DGENG-N (Director General Engineering - Navy) talk about the benefits of joining the Civilian Engineer Development Program (CEDP).

CEDP Skills and Highlights

Current and previous graduates talk about what they’ve learned and some of the highlights and opportunities they’ve had while on the Civilian Engineer Development Program (CEDP).