“I’ve really enjoyed the variety I now have in my career. I previously worked in a large company where roles were very specialised and repetitive. I’ve been able to have more freedom and grow in more than just the technical aspects of my role – it’s very rewarding.”

When Adel and her husband began their migration journey from South Africa to Australia in 2018, they couldn’t have imagined that a quiet coastal town like Nowra would open the doors to unexpected and fulfilling careers in the defence solutions industry. With a background in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Adel had assumed her career path would remain linear and confined to traditional roles. Instead, she discovered a vibrant and essential sector that’s often overlooked, Australia’s defence solutions industry. 

Adel’s move to the NSW South Coast began with an engineering role at Alkath Group in Nowra. The company’s supportive approach, offering accommodation and transport, smoothed their transition. Adel’s husband quickly followed suit, securing employment within the same industry through local business networking events like the Shoalhaven Professional Business Association network. 

While their lifestyle changed – trading city traffic for kangaroo sightings on the way to work – the real surprise was the depth and variety of career opportunities hidden in this seemingly quiet region. 

“I’ve really enjoyed the variety I now have in my career. I previously worked in a large company where roles were very specialised and repetitive. I’ve been able to have more freedom and grow in more than just the technical aspects of my role – it’s very rewarding,” added Adel. 

Adel didn’t anticipate the richness of her professional journey in Australia. Her role at Mellori Solutions, a company under the Alkath Group umbrella, now sees her managing engineering projects, coordinating field trials, responding to proposals, and reviewing technical documentation. 

“My role is coordinating and organising within the team all our engineering projects, our trial projects… providing engineering feedback and reviewing deliverables,” Adel explains. 

Unlike the specialised, repetitive roles she previously held in large corporations, her work now is cross-functional and purpose-driven. It’s not just about engineering; it’s about safeguarding Australia’s defence capabilities. 

“Mellori Solutions essentially has three pillars: testing, training, and technology,” she says. “We help ensure that sensors on board defence assets are safe to use, and we develop new solutions based on radar electronic principles. Ultimately, our goal is to keep people safe.” 

An industry hidden in plain sight 

For those unfamiliar, the defence industry might conjure images of ships and planes, but behind the scenes are engineers, testers, and technologists working on advanced, life-saving systems. The NSW South Coast is proving to be fertile ground for this kind of vital innovation. 

“Mellori’s work spans from field testing for the ADF to developing cutting-edge radar electronic warfare equipment,” Adel explains. “It’s a niche area, but one that’s exciting and constantly evolving.” 

Her journey into the field was serendipitous rather than planned. While still in South Africa, her employer – aware of her upcoming move – offered to pass her CV to Mellori in Nowra. Just a few months later, she was working in Australia. That was over six years ago. 

Adel’s story is a compelling example of how engineering talent can find rewarding careers outside of the big cities and beyond traditional industry lines. The defence sector on the South Coast offers professionals the chance to apply their technical knowledge in meaningful, diverse ways, while enjoying a more relaxed, community-oriented lifestyle. 

“My biggest piece of advice? Join a defence industry business, or even within Defence itself. It’s a great path,” Adel says. 

And when she’s not immersed in radar systems and electronic warfare solutions, you’ll likely find her on one of Jervis Bay’s white sand beaches. 

“It was a bit of a culture shock at first and we missed being 10 mins down the road from three big shopping centres for example, but as we discovered things like snorkelling and kayaking, we began to really enjoy those things and now when we do want to do any shopping we just make a day of it by driving to Shellharbour or Wollongong.” Adel explained. 

Sometimes the best careers are found in the places you least expect. If you’re ready for a sea change and a challenge, the defence solutions industry on the NSW South Coast is waiting.