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Nova Systems

3.8
  • #2 in Defence & aerospace
  • 500 - 1,000 employees

Nova Systems Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Defence & Aerospace

What it does: Provides engineering and technical project management services
Staff stats: Around 850
The good bits: Cutting-edge work, employer of choice (regularly ranked in the Best Places to Work Top 50 best employers), Voted #2 best Grad employer in Defence, Australian Owned and excellent employee benefits
Hiring grads with degrees in Engineering, Business, Maths, IT & Computer Science

The Nova Systems story

Nova Systems was founded in 2000, by Jim Whalley and Peter Nikoloff in South Australia. Nova Systems is a private, Australian owned and operated professional services company specialising in engineering and technology solutions. 

Headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia, Nova Systems has a global footprint with offices in Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Wellington NZ, UK and Singapore. 

Nova Systems provides specialist services in the following areas:    

  • Test and Evaluation
  • Aerospace Design and manufacture
  • Governance, Risk and Compliance
  • Critical Communications
  • Systems Integration
  • Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Electromagnetic Warfare
  • Cyber
  • Remote and Autonomous Defence Systems
  • Geospatial Situational Awareness
  • Global Alerting Platform
  • Training (registered RTO)

The culture

Nova Systems has won awards for being a great place to work and is regularly listed in the Best Place to Work Top 50 best employers.  Currently ranked at #9 Best Place to Work, Nova System believes its strong culture stems from a workplace environment where you don’t have to the fit the mould and you can feel safe, valued and included at work.

Social contribution

As part of its commitment to giving back to the community, Nova Systems provides paid leave to employees doing jury service, Australian Defence Force Reserve service or participating in voluntary emergency service activities. The company also supports community initiatives through donations and sponsorships.  

Career prospects

We face a world of increasingly complex challenges about how we keep nations – and the people who live in them – safe and secure. From national defence and essential services, to border control and cyber security - these are the challenges that Nova Systems partner with defence, essential services, government, special missions and commercial aerospace clients to anticipate, understand and solve. Nova Systems is known for being an employer that provides lifelong career opportunities. With an annual allowance for professional development, Nova Systems are committed to having the brightest minds solve the problems that matter and they know investing in their people is at the core of a sustainable business.

The vibe of the place

Nova Systems aspires to provide employees a unique environment that is fun and down-to-earth while having the support to perform to the best of their ability in the safest possible manner.

Nova Systems has a social and supportive corporate culture. Employees appreciate the opportunity to undertake challenging work and develop themselves professionally. They even wear safari suits to their social events!

From the Employer:

Graduate Program

Nova’s Graduate Program provides participants with on-the-job training, tailored to suit specialist skill sets that contribute to solving the world problems that really matter. Key features of the Program include:

  • Regular contact with senior staff including a dedicated mentor
  • Specific ongoing training in consulting, systems engineering and safety
  • Grad-focused development activities include:
  • Charted Professional Engineer (CPEng) pathway
  • Business development and bid preparation
  • Professional writing and communication
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship

Nova’s Graduate Program is a 2-year program, typically consisting of two 12-month rotations. The rotations are planned and coordinated with the aim of optimising the exposure of graduates to the business and developing well-rounded consultants. 

Graduate Opportunities

The Program provides opportunities across the company in Australia.

Nova Systems

  • Maritime & Future Systems
  • Aerospace & Surveillance
  • Communications, Information & Cyber Security
  • Transport, Energy & Resources, Land & Emergency Services
  • Defence Support

Recruitment Process

Whilst it is not a pre-requisite to join the grad program, you may wish to undertake work experience at the Nova Systems while studying in your penultimate year. To be eligible for the Nova Systems graduate program you’ll either need a Bachelor of Science with a major in computer science or a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace/Aeronautical; Electrical/Electronic; Mechanical or Mechatronic/Systems).

Given the nature of many of the Defence projects the company works on, you’ll also need to be an Australian Citizen to be eligible to obtain a Defence security clearance. After jumping those hurdles, you’ll also need to show you possess impressive analytical, communication, social and conceptual skills and are a strategic thinker who is flexible, open-minded and excited by new challenges. Finally, you’ll need to prove that you’ll be a good cultural fit.

All Nova Systems positions are advertised on the Current Opportunities page of its website. If you’re seeking a spot in the grad program can either apply via the Current Opportunities page or email [email protected]. Either way, you’ll need to supply both a CV and academic transcript. If you’re selected to proceed to the next stage, a member of the internal recruitment team will get in touch to verify your details and your qualifications”. The next stages involve a digital questionnaire, phone interview, a face-to-face interview with a Manager, psychometric testing and reference checking. If all that goes well, you will receive an offer.     

Key Selection Criteria

  • Analytical skills, conceptual abilities and strategic thinking
  • Communication and social skills
  • Flexible and open-minded for new challenges
  • Cultural fit
  • Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical, Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronic/Systems or Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
  • Ability to obtain a security clearance

Remuneration & Career Growth

Nova Systems acknowledges there’s lots of competition for “smart professionals with great personalities”. It seeks to provide “attractive and unique benefits” to attract and hold on to such individuals.

As well as competitive salaries, Nova offers professional development allowance and loyalty leave. There are lots of family-friendly social events and an annual staff conference. Staff can salary sacrifices toward cars and superannuation and get referral bonuses if they introduce someone who becomes an employee.

They have access to free well-being programs and counselling. Leave entitlements increase over time meaning those who notch up a decade’s service are entitled to six weeks of paid leave.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
3.8
Overall score based on 32 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.1
Culture
8.3
Management
8.4
Office Work Environment
8.4
Work Hours
9.1
Culture
8.3
Management
8.4
Office Work Environment
8.4
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The community and culture is strong, people at all levels are welcoming, open and willing to help by sharing their experience or providing advice and feedback to help grow within the business and industry.
  • Probably the type of experience I'm getting. I never really understood how different this industry is and how intricate the work can be. Usually if there's work, I find myself learning something new every day. I'm very interested in this area of work and I'm able to do a mix of hands on and desk-oriented work.
  • The company cares about our wellbeing as opposed to seeing us as resources. Evidence of this is flexible working arrangements, PPD allowance, providing snacks and coffee at the office, offering mentoring and manager catch ups, and the fact that they really listen to our needs and wants, especially in the Graduate Program.
  • The community and project teams are amazing. They are full of life and very passionate about the project they are in. They never hesitate to lend a helping hand and are constantly there to support your learning.
  • The company culture and graduate culture are big positives. Everyone is welcoming and inclusive, and I have formed strong friendships with other grads. The ability to work from home or via the office and self-govern your time is also a positive aspect.
  • Additional admin when working for a client.
  • The breadth of work, while a positive, does mean that keeping track of everything going on at Nova isn't always easy. Thankfully the friendliness of Novans means asking questions is never a problem.
  • Spending a lot of time on the bench. It took many months to get work, but once I did get work it was very enjoyable. That extended time on the bench is not great, though, especially when you are expected to find work yourself and show up at the office.
  • The waiting (standard across consulting gigs)
  • There are times when there isn't enough work to keep yourself busy and consultants and grads are sidelined with internal or development tasks until there is engaging work to do. The restrictions on using your PD can also sometimes be a challenge. The salary progression model could also be better.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Adelaide
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
C
Creative Arts
E
Engineering & Mathematics
I
IT & Computer Science
M
Medical & Health Sciences
S
Sciences
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Graduate Job

Sydney
Join our award-winning Program and help us solve complex challenges in Defence and Essential Services! Nova Systems - the smarts behind the solutions.
Applications Close
16 Jul 2024
Start Date
3 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 72,000 / Year

Plus 11% Superannuation, advancement on successful completion of Probation, and annually after that

Graduate Job

Adelaide
Join our award-winning Program and help us solve complex challenges in Defence and Essential Services! Nova Systems - the smarts behind the solutions.
Applications Close
16 Jul 2024
Start Date
3 Feb 2025
Salary
AUD 72,000 / Year

Plus 11% Superannuation, advancement on successful completion of Probation, and annually after that


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about my job is that I get to work with a diverse range of interesting and passionate people to solve interesting and challenging problems in a variety of domains.

Daniel Brown

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about my job is that I get to work with a diverse range of interesting and passionate people to solve interesting and challenging problems in a variety of domains.

Daniel Brown

  • Graduate stories
I really love the social and people aspect of Nova. So not only has it been amazing that I could join the social committee and help run social and charitable events such as the biggest morning tea bake-off, but I also got the opportunity to help with the work experience and graduate program.

Chante Swart

  • Graduate stories
I really love the social and people aspect of Nova. So not only has it been amazing that I could join the social committee and help run social and charitable events such as the biggest morning tea bake-off, but I also got the opportunity to help with the work experience and graduate program.

Chante Swart

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about my job is that I get to work with a diverse range of interesting and passionate people to solve interesting and challenging problems in a variety of domains.

Daniel Brown

  • Graduate stories
The thing I love most about my job is that I get to work with a diverse range of interesting and passionate people to solve interesting and challenging problems in a variety of domains.

Daniel Brown

  • Graduate stories
I really love the social and people aspect of Nova. So not only has it been amazing that I could join the social committee and help run social and charitable events such as the biggest morning tea bake-off, but I also got the opportunity to help with the work experience and graduate program.

Chante Swart

  • Graduate stories
I really love the social and people aspect of Nova. So not only has it been amazing that I could join the social committee and help run social and charitable events such as the biggest morning tea bake-off, but I also got the opportunity to help with the work experience and graduate program.

Chante Swart


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Patrick Wilson

One of the main benefits of working from home, aside from the 5-metre commute, is that I have access to my full pantry and aren’t limited to what I bring in my lunch box to the office.
  • Day in the life

Patrick Wilson

One of the main benefits of working from home, aside from the 5-metre commute, is that I have access to my full pantry and aren’t limited to what I bring in my lunch box to the office.
  • Day in the life

Claudette Fricot

  • Day in the life

Claudette Fricot

  • Day in the life

Patrick Wilson

One of the main benefits of working from home, aside from the 5-metre commute, is that I have access to my full pantry and aren’t limited to what I bring in my lunch box to the office.
  • Day in the life

Patrick Wilson

One of the main benefits of working from home, aside from the 5-metre commute, is that I have access to my full pantry and aren’t limited to what I bring in my lunch box to the office.
  • Day in the life

Claudette Fricot

  • Day in the life

Claudette Fricot


Videos


Kutri Sihvola – Graduate Development Program

Hear from graduate engineer Kutri Sihvola about her experience on the Nova Systems Graduate Development Program.

Mikaela Verhoosel – Graduate Development Program

Hear from graduate engineer Mikaela Verhoosel about her experience on the Nova Systems Graduate Development Program.

Kutri Sihvola – Graduate Development Program

Hear from graduate engineer Kutri Sihvola about her experience on the Nova Systems Graduate Development Program.

Mikaela Verhoosel – Graduate Development Program

Hear from graduate engineer Mikaela Verhoosel about her experience on the Nova Systems Graduate Development Program.