I've spent my career working on some of the most complex engineering challenges in defence. Sixteen years with the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD) Submarine Delivery Agency taught me what it takes to run nuclear infrastructure programmes at the highest standard – and how clients build confidence in the contractors they trust.
Today, as a principal nuclear safety engineer at AtkinsRéalis in Australia, I'm bringing that perspective to help shape one of the most ambitious national undertakings in our history: the transition to conventionally armed, nuclear-propelled submarines.
For Australia, this is more than acquiring subs. It's about building the sovereign skills, systems and infrastructure to support the fleet into the future. Getting it right starts with nuclear safety – an area where compromise is not an option.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
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The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Securing the future by empowering those that protect us
AtkinsRéalis brings trusted nuclear safety expertise to help Australia build sovereign submarine capability. By embedding resilient systems from day one, we empower those who protect us and help secure Australia’s future safely and sustainably.
MOD engineer to defence partner: Building nuclear safety insight in Australia
As MOD Chief Engineer for the Devonport submarine refit complex, my role was to vet suppliers and ensure they were up to the task. Confidence never came from polished presentations. It came from evidence: robust design processes, detailed substantiation, and a workforce of suitably qualified and experienced personnel. Contractors like AtkinsRéalis earned our trust by proving their people and their systems could deliver, every time.
That client-side mindset is what I bring into my work today. I understand what a regulator or government agency needs to see before they sign off on a nuclear safety case. I know what builds confidence, and I know how to deliver it.
AtkinsRéalis impressed me then as a supplier, and now as part of the team, I see the depth of governance and technical rigour that sits behind our projects. It's reassuring to know that the same standards I once demanded as a client are exactly the standards we apply here in Australia.
Australia's journey: Lessons from global submarine programmes
The Royal Australian Navy has decades of experience operating conventional diesel submarines. Shifting to nuclear-propelled, however, is a step change. Once-routine systems suddenly become safety-critical. Redundancy – having robust backup systems ready to take over – becomes non-negotiable.
How we support the engineering side of this mission is crucial. But it's as much about working with the Navy and the wider enterprise to reinforce why these systems matter, what risks they mitigate, and how to embed that thinking into every aspect of the submarine lifecycle.
Australia's submarine enterprise will need to address the same fundamentals seen in programmes that have gone before – and plan for them early. Waste and disposal strategies must be considered from the outset, rather than tackled towards the end of a submarine's life. Nuclear facilities must be designed to withstand seismic events, drawing on lessons learned globally. Procurement strategies must ensure equipment and systems meet strict classifications, with supply chains strong enough to deliver.
From my perspective as an engineer, future-proofing also means building resilience into the basics: electrical power with backup capacity, cooling water systems that remain reliable during maintenance, and dockside boundaries substantiated to withstand environmental changes such as rising sea levels. These may not grab headlines, but they are the details that ultimately make the difference between confidence and risk.
Making nuclear safety the foundation of Australia's submarine capability
Australia's submarine capability can only endure if safety is built in from day one – embedded in the design, the processes, and the way the whole programme operates. A robust nuclear safety case provides the evidence and assurance that designs are properly substantiated, that risks are understood, and that the right safeguards are in place. Since I joined, the level of technical detail and governance in the organisation has genuinely impressed me.
Having spent years on the client side, I know how vital that is – and it's something AtkinsRéalis has always taken seriously. I also learnt that sovereign capability takes consistent investment in systems, infrastructure and people. That's why we're committed to delivery, as well as embedding knowledge transfer, training and workforce development along the way. AtkinsRéalis has everything it takes to give operators, regulators and our communities the confidence that this capability will endure – safely and sustainably.
Shaping Australia's future defence engineering workforce
Looking ahead, Australia's submarine enterprise is one of the most exciting engineering opportunities of our generation. It will take not only nuclear specialists, but people with transferable skills from other industries who are ready to step into defence. There will be opportunities across engineering, project management and safety – roles that will shape Australia's sovereign capability and the security of the region.
To anyone considering it, whether early in your career or moving from another sector, my advice is simple: seize the opportunity. The challenges are complex, but the rewards are significant.
Since joining AtkinsRéalis, I've had the chance to work on exciting and technically complex projects – always designed responsibly, sustainably, and with a clear focus on the future.
Today, I'm proud to play a role in helping Australia build its sovereign submarine capability. With the right systems, safeguards and standards in place, we can ensure that capability endures – safely, securely and sustainably – for generations to come.
Let's build Australia's sovereign future together – with the systems, safeguards and standards that make capability last. Explore our defence engineering services to see how we deliver.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
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