5.30 AM
My day starts with a 5.30 am alarm and a breakfast smoothie, then I pack my bag in preparation for the day.
6.00 AM
It’s time to get moving, literally! I jump on my bike and cycle approximately 7km into the office. This is one of the most important parts of my day, as it allows me to get some fresh air and gives me a clear headspace to plan my day.
7.00 AM
After using the end-of-trip facilities downstairs, I arrive at the office. I go through routine admin, get started on my current task, and occasionally have a conference call with US colleagues. Once the early morning meetings are done, the team walks down to the local café. This is another important part of the day, a ‘double shot flat white’ and casual catchup with the team.
8.45 AM
I’m now caffeinated just in time for the Daily Stand Up with the AIR6500 System of Systems Engineering Integration and Test team. During this 15 minute meeting, we review our tasks and discuss any ‘blockers’.
9.00 AM
The day is in full velocity now, I am functioning within AIR6500, performing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) in Cameo. This approach provides descriptive architecture models of the solution, whilst increasing integration across functional teams and conveying knowledge transfer easily. I interact with a broad range of information, so am regularly exposed to new components of the solution. This is equally challenging and rewarding.
11.00 AM
Once I have accomplished some individual progress in Cameo, it is time to receive some feedback and ask questions. We facilitate this via a ‘Paired Programming’ session. In this collaborative environment, we build upon aspects of the model.
12.00 PM
I’m hungry, and it’s time to eat lunch. We have a range of tempting food stores around the office, but I try to reduce my weekly spending by bringing in leftovers. The office lunch area has a TV (which was great to watch the Ashes) and a range of magazines (from Engineers Australia, Australian Defense Magazine, etc.). In the lunch area, I often find myself meeting other people within the organisation, who work on other defence projects or sustainment (e.g. KC-30A Program).
12.30 PM
Once lunch is complete, it’s time to continue AIR6500 tasks.
2.00 PM
Now it’s time to change focus, from a ‘Joint Battle Management and Integrated Air and Missile Defense System’ to a ‘Sovereign Satellite Communications’ project. JP9102 is a very exciting project which is currently at tender. I’ve been contributing to the design of the Support System and have been involved in project management. My objective within these two workspaces is to contribute to the Concept of Operations, which is mapped to the customer’s requirements and high-level needs.
Northrop Grumman’s working environment is flexible, which allows me to operate within both projects. This regularly exposes me to a range of toolsets (e.g. Cameo and DOORS), emerging technologies, and different stages of the ‘engineering lifecycle’.
4.00 PM
Time to clean my work area, and check tomorrow’s schedule. I’ll head downstairs, and back on my bike. Whilst riding home, I reflect on my day and the leadership characteristics observed. If I’m feeling up to it, I’ll clock some extra exercise by doing Brisbane’s famous ‘river loop’.
5.30 PM
Time to wind down with some dinner and relaxation. At this stage in the day, I like to plan my weekend, watch some sport (preferably AFL), and catch up with friends/family.
9.00 PM
That’s a wrap! No need to pack lunch for tomorrow, as I’m working from home. Excited for what the day brings, I’m bound to learn something new.