People I have met through SAVEN are not only useful in securing initial employment but a fantastic support base if and sometimes when transition challenges arise.
Two Navy veterans have turned conversations at a Veterans SA Career Connections event into new careers with Raytheon Australia, demonstrating how the initiative is helping veterans translate their military experience into opportunities in South Australia’s growing defence industry.
Career Connections brings veterans, transitioning ADF members, reservists, Defence and veteran partners, and adult children (18+) of current and former-serving members together with employers in the South Australian Veteran Employer Network (SAVEN), helping participants build professional networks, explore career pathways and connect with veteran-friendly organisations.
For Navy veterans Coral and Josh, conversations at events earlier this year opened the door to opportunities with Raytheon Australia and a new chapter in their civilian careers.
Finding the right opportunity
After 15 years as a Navy Marine Engineer, Coral attended Veterans SA’s Career Connections events during her transition to the civilian workforce. She attended two events, building her network and learning about employers and opportunities.
Connecting with Raytheon representative Cameron Chapman, Coral was able to understand how her Defence experience could translate into employment.
An Air Force veteran, Cameron has worked at Raytheon Australia for nearly nine years and regularly attends SAVEN events on behalf of the company.
“Cameron was extremely supportive, showed me some open vacancies and offered to review and share my resume,” Coral said.
Coral is now a Mechanical Engineer with Raytheon Australia, supporting sustainment tasks for the Space Surveillance Telescope and infrastructure in Exmouth, Western Australia.
“The role I am currently performing directly utilises skills I have through Defence,” she said.
Her role has also given her a new perspective on sustainment work within the defence industry.
Coral encourages other veterans, transitioning ADF members and their partners to make use of networks such as SAVEN when exploring pathways into civilian employment.
“People I have met through SAVEN are not only useful in securing initial employment but a fantastic support base if and sometimes when transition challenges arise,” she said.
Testing the waters
Former Navy Marine Technician Josh heard about Career Connections through a fellow veteran. After following Veterans SA on LinkedIn, he attended the April event at Mawson Lakes to explore defence industry opportunities.
A conversation with Cameron encouraged Josh to explore Raytheon’s vacancies.
“Raytheon had a stand, Cameron was quite friendly and jovial and made it easy to chat with him,” Josh said.
While the role they discussed at the event was not the position he ultimately secured, the conversation prompted Josh to explore other opportunities suited to his experience and he is now working for Raytheon as a Project Manager in the space domain.
Josh said the informal and inviting atmosphere made it easier to have honest conversations and gain a better understanding of prospective employers.
“Being able to attend a SAVEN event allowed me to test the waters of possibility,” Josh said.
“I was able to chat with people doing what I was doing and determine that it was time to get back into the defence industry, that my skills and experience would be of value and I could contribute to supporting the next generation of sailors in the battlefield.”
The leadership, teamwork, communication, adaptability and problem-solving skills Josh developed in the Navy continue to support his career.
“As a stoker, you learnt to be a solutions guy, not a problems guy,” he said.
“A lot of outside-the-box thinking is required at sea. That includes showing leadership and guiding your team in the right direction to achieve a specific result. All are now traits of a good project manager.”
Josh said the transition to Raytheon had provided valuable opportunities for growth and development in a supportive team environment.
“It has been challenging, but rewarding when you take those challenges head on and recognise the progress made,” he said. “Overall, they have great people who are keen to demonstrate their own ability and that makes for a positive workplace.”
Recognising the value of veterans
Raytheon Australia Managing Director Ohad Ktaz said veterans played an important role in strengthening Raytheon Australia’s workforce.
“Raytheon Australia is proud to champion veteran employment, recognising the valuable skills, experience and service veterans contribute to our workforce,” Mr Ktaz said.
“Their professionalism, leadership, and commitment make them a natural fit for the defence industry.”
“The South Australian Veteran Employer Network (SAVEN) helps connect veterans with companies like Raytheon, creating lasting benefits for both individuals and employers. We are proud to support an initiative that strengthens opportunities for those who have served our nation.”
Coral and Josh’s experiences show how face-to-face conversations can help veterans recognise their skills while connecting employers with talent ready to contribute to Australia’s defence sector.
The next Career Connections event will be held on Wednesday 30 September 2026 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Learn more and register to attend Career Connections.
Image: Career Connections candidates, Josh (L) and Coral (R), with Raytheon representative Cameron Chapman.
