Mr Matt Opie

Matt is Director, Defence & Space at the University of South Australia; a role created to steer engagement between the university and the defence and space sectors across research and education.

Matt provides strategy and leadership in the defence and space sectors both internally and externally with industry and defence. A key aspect of this role is matching research areas with customers’ needs and requirements. Matt has worked in the defence industry in and out of uniform for most of his career in project and program management, business development and strategy.

Working with leading defence companies including Saab and BAE Systems, Matt has experience in a range of key technologies including in satellite communications, electronic warfare and command and control systems. He has also worked in the Department of Defence in roles engaging with industry on rapid prototyping and development projects.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales and a Masters in Business Administration from Central Queensland University. After graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College Duntroon, Matt served in the Australian Army as an Officer in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals in Australia and the Middle East; and has been working in the defence industry for the past 25 years.

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration (Information Systems) Central Queensland University

• Bachelor of Science University of New South Wales

• Certificate in Vocational Instruction Royal Military College, Duntroon

• Associate Diploma in Personnel Administration Royal Military College, Duntroon