Investigate technical and operational issues, establish root causes and apply commercial and contractual thinking to support fair, evidence-based performance attribution decisions that can have direct commercial implications.
The OpportunityKick-start your career in Rail and Transit Systems with an exciting graduate opportunity as an Associate Performance Attribution Analyst, based at Auburn Maintenance Centre.
You’ll work at the intersection of rail operations, technical investigation and commercial performance, developing valuable experience across a complex operational environment.
When a service incident occurs, your role is to get to the facts. You’ll investigate available technical and operational evidence, understand the root cause and contributing factors, consider relevant contractual requirements and develop an evidence-based attribution position that may have commercial implications for the business and its customers.
This goes beyond producing data and reports. You’ll need to connect technical evidence with commercial consequences, develop logical and defensible recommendations, and communicate your findings clearly to operational teams, technical specialists and customer representatives.
Your analysis will help support fair contractual outcomes, making accuracy, sound judgement and evidence-based decision-making important parts of the role.
This opportunity could particularly suit someone from an engineering, maintenance, reliability, operations or technical investigation background who enjoys solving complex problems and wants to broaden their exposure to commercial and contractual decision-making within the rail industry.
Key Responsibilities- Investigate operational incidents, bringing together technical, performance and operational evidence to establish root causes and contributing factors.
- Develop evidence-based attribution recommendations, connecting investigation findings with contractual requirements and understanding the resulting commercial implications for the business and customer.
- Turn complex information into clear conclusions, preparing concise reports that explain what happened, why it happened and the evidence supporting the attribution position.
- Work across technical, operational and customer teams to question evidence, resolve differing perspectives and support well-reasoned outcomes.
- Apply sound judgement and attention to detail, recognising that attribution recommendations may contribute to contractual and commercial outcomes.
- Use incident and performance trends to identify recurring issues and share insights that can improve fleet reliability and operational performance.
- A mechanical, electrical or engineering qualification, relevant trade background, or equivalent technical experience appropriate to investigating complex asset or operational issues.
- Experience or exposure to investigating technical faults, failures or operational incidents, ideally involving complex mechanical or electrical assets.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the judgement to assess competing information and reach logical, evidence-based conclusions.
- Commercial awareness, or an interest in developing it, with the ability to understand how technical and operational events can have contractual and commercial consequences.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to work with technical, operational and contractual information.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to work across technical teams, operational stakeholders and customers.
- A curious and investigative mindset, with the confidence to ask questions, challenge assumptions and follow the evidence to reach a well-supported conclusion.
What We Offer:
A workplace focused on Zero Harm; safety is at the core of everything we do
Career progression and development opportunities
Employee benefits and wellness program
Work on key rollingstock projects with an industry leader
Employment with Downer is subject to a Pre-Employment Medical, and on-going drug and alcohol screening.
Downer does not accept any unsolicited resume referrals from Recruitment Agencies.
Notwithstanding the location of this position, all qualified Australian citizens and permanent residents from all locations are encouraged to apply.
Downer Group is an employer that acknowledges and embraces the importance of our people’s diverse experiences, talents, and cultures. As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from everyone.
Skills Required
- Mechanical, electrical, or engineering qualification; relevant trade background; or equivalent technical experience
- Experience or exposure investigating technical faults, failures, or operational incidents involving complex mechanical or electrical assets
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Commercial awareness or interest in developing commercial understanding
- Strong attention to detail when working with technical, operational, and contractual information
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Curious and investigative mindset with confidence to challenge assumptions and follow evidence
Downer Group Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Downer Group and has not been reviewed or approved by Downer Group.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Overtime, penalty rates, and structured allowances are often viewed as strong earners that lift overall compensation, particularly in field and trade roles.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing resources such as a 24/7 EAP, mental-health support, health checks, flu vaccinations, and retail discounts are consistently highlighted as valuable parts of the package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave options include parental leave and domestic-violence leave, contributing to a broader benefits offering across different life stages.
Downer Group Insights
What We Do
Downer Group is a leading provider of integrated infrastructure services across Australia and New Zealand, operating in sectors such as transport, utilities, facilities, and defense.



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