LEADERSHIP

CAMERON MURDOCH, Engineering Manager

Cameron has worked with the business since graduating from James Cook University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a Diploma in Project Management.

Cameron oversees the engineering department, with a focus on engineering compliance, vehicle certification, and securing second-stage manufacture approvals across the company’s extensive range of vehicle capabilities.

He is also responsible for the continued growth of the company’s engineering consulting capabilities.

Cameron is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and is registered on the National Engineering Register (NER) and as a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ). His combination of engineering, project management, vehicle compliance, and advanced manufacturing experience supports the delivery of practical and compliant engineering solutions for complex vehicle and defence-related applications.

MICHAEL MCMILLAN, Founder and Principal Engineer MSc, BEng (Mech), FIEAust, CPEng, RPEQ, EngExec, GAICD

Michael McMillan is a proud Wiradjuri man and an experienced engineering executive with more than 30 years across the Australian military, defence and heavy-industry sectors.

He holds a Master of Science in Military Vehicle Technology and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Michael is a Fellow of Engineers Australia, Chartered Professional Engineer, Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland, Engineering Executive and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

His military career and engineering leadership have given him deep insight into vehicle systems, operational readiness and the demands placed on equipment and people in challenging environments. Michael holds Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner and is working towards Master Black Belt.

Click HERE to learn more about Michael and the extensive list of modifications he can certify.

JOSH BOWDEN, Defence & Security Project Manager

With over 28 years’ experience across the Australian Defence Force and the private sector, Josh brings a disciplined, practical, and safety-driven approach to operations, logistics, and leadership. Josh’s career has been built around complex planning, risk management, and leading teams in high-pressure environments, often involving high-value assets, strict compliance requirements, and time-critical delivery.

Josh has held senior leadership and supervisory roles, managing teams of up to 700+ personnel, delivering training, overseeing operational readiness, and ensuring safety and quality standards were consistently met. More recently, he has applied these skills in civilian environments, supporting manufacturing, logistics coordination, stock control, and workshop operations.

Josh offers a structured, calm, and solutions-focused approach, with a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and accountability. He is highly experienced in stakeholder coordination, procedural development, and translating complex requirements into practical outcomes. His background allows him to adapt quickly, identify risk early, and support teams to perform reliably and safely in demanding conditions.

CRAIG ROWLANDS, Business Development, Armoured & Ballistic Vehicles

Craig Rowlands brings to NATE a unique combination of technical trade expertise, operational discipline, and elite military experience. He enlisted in the Australian Army in 1999 as a Vehicle Mechanic, gaining extensive experience maintaining military vehicle platforms in demanding operational environments. In 2006, he was posted to the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), initially supporting the unit in a technical role before completing SASR Selection in 2008 and transitioning into an operational position.

Serving within one of Australia’s most elite special operations units, Craig developed strong capabilities in critical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and disciplined execution in complex environments. He later specialised in vehicle-mounted operations and sniping.

Craig had multiple deployments during his military career, including Afghanistan.

Since joining NATE in 2021, he has applied his technical and operational experience across engineering and manufacturing roles including CAD Operator and CNC Operator, where he is recognised for his attention to detail, practical problem-solving, and commitment to high-quality outcomes. Craig’s career reflects a foundation of service, technical competence, and professionalism that continues to inform the discipline and reliability he brings to NATE.

OUR ENGINEERING TEAM

MITCHELL SUTHERLAND, Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Mitchell is a Graduate Mechanical Engineer at Northern Australia Tactical Engineering, holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with First Class Honours from James Cook University, where his thesis was recognised through nomination for the CN Barton Award for outstanding undergraduate research. His technical focus spans automotive design, Finite Element Analysis, and physical vehicle testing — an end-to-end capability that allows him to take projects from concept through to compliance with a consistent, holistic approach. Mitchell recently completed the Engineers Australia Graduate Program and is currently working towards RPEQ registration. He is driven by a desire to deliver engineering outcomes that meet the standard clients expect from OEM-level work, with a genuine focus on realising tangible benefits.

RICKY FRANCIS, Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Ricky is a Graduate Mechanical Engineer at Northern Australia Tactical Engineering, holding a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with Honours from James Cook University. His work focuses on the design, analysis, and reverse engineering of automotive and mechanical components, with experience using 3D scanning, CAD modelling, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to develop and assess engineering solutions. Ricky applies these skills to projects ranging from the reconstruction of components from scan data through to detailed design and structural analysis, with a practical focus on achieving reliable and fit-for-purpose outcomes for clients. Ricky recently completed the Engineers Australia Graduate Program and is currently working towards RPEQ registration.