Early Careers

Your first step into your future

Shoal’s early careers programs offer your first step into your professional career, bringing you into our supportive community. We offer two early careers programs:

ShoalIntern

If you’re still studying, Shoal offers a 12 week, paid internship for two undergraduate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) students to join our team in Adelaide. Our novel application process asks you to pitch your ideas in a short video to answer to a BIG question – find out more. ShoalInterns work together on a project, using Model Based Systems Engineering or Modelling, Simulation and Analysis to investigate the problem space. Our internships run from November to February. Learn more.

ShoalGrad

If you’ve graduated from a Bachelor of Engineering, Physics or Maths, Shoal provides a two-year, tailored, development program. It’s a journey designed around ‘learning experiences’, providing a broad range of meaningful opportunities to maximise your growth potential. You’ll explore our four markets – Defence, Space, Transport, Energy and Infrastructure – work on projects, get involved with Corporate support roles, and Ideas Club and Knowledge Sharing Sessions, all designed to maximise your development as an emerging professional. Our graduates commence in February. Learn more.

You can find out more in our Early Careers at Shoal brochure.

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What does a ‘day in the life’ at Shoal look like?

Click on each image to learn what a ‘day in the life’ looks like at Shoal.

What kind of work happens at Shoal?

At Shoal, we deliver many projects simultaneously, allowing our team to gain experience and exposure across a diverse range of problems and industries. Here are some examples of the work we do:

Systems Engineering

Shoal helped a client rapidly clear a critical engineering backlog and navigate a major program milestone by introducing tailored Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices that improved design traceability, collaboration and agility.

Shoal worked with a partner to review the feasibility and design of a proposed satellite constellation for surveillance and communications, helping a government agency approve major funding and investment.

Digital Engineering

Shoal applied tailored Digital Engineering tools to streamline the CHORUS feasibility study and accelerate development, creating a single source of truth that enabled rapid prototyping and continuous evolution of the digital twin.

Shoal helped DM Roads develop costed Tactical Asset Management Plans by implementing a Digital Engineering information model linking assets, activities and TfNSW objectives. This improved work prioritisation, sharpened 10 year forecasts, and strengthened their tender submission.

Mission Engineering

Shoal supported the Australian Department of Defence in developing an integrated capability design for Space Domain Awareness JP9360, delivering operational concept development, validation and space C2 system design.

Shoal tailored Capability Development Documents to integrate leading DSTG research into the complex system solution concept to enhance the JORN Phase-6 baseline operational capabilities under AIR 2025-6A.

Modelling, Simulation & Analysis

Shoal worked with DSTG to deliver advanced modelling and simulation tools for surface and undersea naval platforms, driving sharper performance insights, stronger risk analysis and more confident, data driven decisions in maritime capability.

Shoal helped ELA by adapting a Gaussian-Plume Dispersion Model to assess rocket emissions at the Arnhem Space Centre. Results showed emissions stayed within Northern Territory EPA limits, helping ELA meet compliance and minimise environmental risk.

R&D

Shoal developed FastCAD to quickly produce accurate 3D CAD models of naval platforms using handheld LiDAR, cutting time and cost compared with traditional methods. It accelerates RCS predictions, and supports tactical decisions and tasks like configuration management and battle damage assessment – earning the DTC Innovation Award.

Shoal developed SHARC, a toolkit for modelling and analysing aerospace systems and failure modes. It delivers high-fidelity simulations and risk assessments to ensure compliance with safety standards, improve trial effectiveness and support decisions in complex aerospace projects.

Have we sparked your curiosity?

Applications open from March – April each year.