February 20, 2026
Birdon is proud to mark a significant milestone with the completion of the Birdon Futures Graduate Program by Naval Architecture graduate Owen Spanswick — the first participant to progress through the full two-year program.
Designed to develop practical engineering capability, the Birdon Futures Graduate Program supports early-career engineers as they transition from university study into full-time technical roles within complex maritime and defence environments.
Owen joined Birdon after meeting the team at the 2023 Australian Maritime College (AMC) Careers Expo, where he was completing his studies in Naval Architecture. His strong interest in applied maritime engineering and alignment with Birdon’s project-driven approach saw him selected as the program’s inaugural graduate in early 2024.
Relocating from Tasmania to Port Macquarie marked the beginning of Owen’s professional career. While the move was a significant step, he describes the experience as smooth and welcoming, supported by a close-knit engineering team and a culture that values inclusion.
“It was the small things that helped me feel part of the team — shared meals, park runs, and being surrounded by engineers who were always happy to include me. It made the transition much easier,” Owen said.
From Naval Architecture Study to Real-World Delivery
Throughout the two-year program, Owen rotated through a range of engineering environments across Port Macquarie and Henderson, gaining hands-on exposure that bridged the gap between naval architecture theory and practical delivery.
The structured rotations allowed him to work across design, production and on-site engineering roles — building an understanding of how naval architectural decisions translate into real vessels and operational outcomes.
One of the most impactful aspects of the program was direct access to Birdon’s shipyards.
“Being on site where the vessels we’re designing are actually being built is a huge advantage,” Owen said. “Walking onto vessels, observing repair and build work, and seeing how designs translate into physical outcomes accelerated my ability to work independently and contribute effectively.”
A rotation into production engineering proved especially valuable, providing ongoing exposure to active projects such as Young Endeavour and enabling Owen to build confidence in making engineering assessments in live operational environments.
About the Birdon Futures Graduate Program
The Birdon Futures Graduate Program was established in response to a growing challenge across the maritime and defence sectors — a tightening early-career engineering pipeline combined with increasing demand for future capability.
The program combines structured rotations, on-the-job learning and direct access to senior engineers, building the practical skills and operational mindset required for complex naval architecture and maritime engineering projects.
A key enabler of this approach is Birdon’s long-standing partnership with the Australian Maritime College, including platinum sponsorship of AMC’s Engineering Our Future program. This relationship provides early visibility of emerging talent while giving students a realistic understanding of maritime engineering career pathways beyond graduation.
As a former AMC student, Owen experienced this connection firsthand, seeing how industry engagement helps shape course priorities and prepare naval architecture graduates for real project environments.
Career Pathways Beyond Graduation
One of the defining outcomes of Owen’s experience has been exposure to the breadth of career pathways available within naval architecture. From shipbuilding and sustainment to disposals and future capability development, Birdon’s diverse project portfolio allowed him to explore multiple directions early in his career.
Following completion of the program, Owen has transitioned into a full-time Naval Architect role in Western Australia, supporting defence programs and operations at the Dampier slipway.
Owen’s graduation marks an important milestone — not only for him personally, but for Birdon as the company continues to invest in early-career pathways and long-term workforce capability.
His journey highlights the value of combining strong industry partnerships, structured development and hands-on experience to develop naval architects who are ready to contribute to complex maritime projects from day one.
For more information about how you can make your career happen at Birdon, visit our Careers page.