Driving Lean Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing

Matt Goodwins, Engineering Manager For Manufacturing And Materials Engineering, Bae Systems Australia

Engineering a Culture of Efficiency and Performance

Transforming legacy systems into lean, future-ready manufacturing ecosystems is not just about engineering, it's about empowering teams to deliver with agility and purpose. Matt Goodwins has built a manufacturing leadership career grounded in discipline and innovation. With over three decades of experience, his work has spanned high-volume automotive assembly, lean engineering implementation, and defense-grade quality management.

His early engineering roots began with technical roles at GM Holden, where he specialized in robotic automation and control systems. Progressing into integration leadership roles, he shaped Holden’s manufacturing strategy, aligning design and production priorities across global and local stakeholders. As Director of Manufacturing Engineering, he led major vehicle programs and later guided the closure and decommissioning of the Elizabeth Plant with strategic clarity and operational rigor.

                                                                                                                                                                        At Holden, he championed initiatives that advanced APQP practices and positioned Australia’s facilities as competitive hubs for global projects. Recognizing when to lead change and when to stabilize operations is his key to sustainable manufacturing. Goodwins recognition through Holden’s Best of the Best award reflects his ability to balance vision with practical execution.

Leading BAE Systems into the Future of Defense Manufacturing

Joining BAE Systems Australia marked a new chapter in Goodwins’ career. As Engineering Manager for Manufacturing and Materials Engineering, he directs teams that underpin some of the country’s most critical defense programs. His scope includes implementing lean systems, overseeing aerospace-grade materials planning and managing the intersection of design for manufacturability with quality assurance.

His leadership in deploying AS6500-compliant frameworks ensures that production meets the stringent expectations of military customers. Through crossfunctional alignment and continuous improvement, his team accelerates innovation while reducing operational risk.

BAE Systems’ focus on autonomy and advanced material science is a natural fit for Goodwins’ engineering background. Whether integrating nanotechnology for stealth capabilities or streamlining multi-domain platform production, his approach prioritizes repeatable excellence and readiness for mission-critical deployment.

As BAE Systems expands its sovereign manufacturing capabilities in Australia, Goodwins’ experience in end-to-end operations makes him essential to building resilience into the supply chain and workforce. His management of long-term programs and technical training elevates internal capability while ensuring compliance with national defense priorities.

Looking forward, Goodwins remains focused on aligning agile engineering practices with digital manufacturing technologies. From robotics to predictive maintenance, he champions innovations that reduce lead times and enhance reliability across the product lifecycle. His goal is to build systems where people, machines and data flow seamlessly to meet Australia’s defense objectives now and in the decades to come.