Siemens grants UniSC software for engineering training

Siemens has awarded a software grant to the University of the Sunshine Coast, giving students and researchers access to its engineering and simulation tools.

The package includes Designcenter, Tecnomatix and Capital, used for product design, simulation, manufacturing planning and electrical systems design. It will let students work with the same software used by organisations including Oracle Red Bull Racing, NASA, the United States Navy and Ducati, as well as regional companies such as HeliMods, Space Machines Company, ASC and Rocket Lab.

The arrangement links industry software with the university's teaching and research programs as South East Queensland looks to strengthen its position in advanced manufacturing and digital engineering. It also expands access to digital twin tools and AI-assisted functions in areas such as simulation, workflow automation and manufacturing execution.

Samantha Murray, Head of Siemens Digital Industries Software in Australia & New Zealand, said the move reflects broader industrial growth in Queensland.

"Queensland is proving that you don't need to be in a traditional manufacturing heartland to compete worldwide. You just need the right talent and technology to help scale ideas globally. Companies like HeliMods, Gilmour Space and Hypersonix are already showing the world what's possible from Queensland when ambition meets industry-leading technology - technology that is future-ready and combined with a single digital thread that makes it more accessible than ever across geographies," Murray said.

She said the grant is intended to give students direct experience with tools used in commercial engineering environments.

"This grant to UniSC is about helping to ensure the next wave of engineers and innovators graduate with experience in the same software powering global success stories. For Siemens, this is an investment in the people who will shape the future of Queensland and beyond. It is about giving talent access to future-ready tools such as AI-enabled simulation and design to solve the problems of tomorrow," Murray said.

At UniSC, students will use the software in practical work covering design, simulation, manufacturing planning and execution. The tools also include AI-assisted features through Microsoft Copilot integration, with semi-automated support for tasks such as bill of material creation, manufacturing planning, block definition and simulation activities.

Regional focus

The announcement comes as manufacturers and engineering businesses in Queensland seek to deepen local skills in areas linked to aerospace, defence and industrial production. Siemens pointed to companies in the state already using advanced engineering technologies to develop products and projects with international reach.

Peter Halliday, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Australia and New Zealand, said industry and education providers need to work together on workforce development.

"Our technology is behind every major transformation - from connecting Australia to the world with the Overland Telegraph in 1872 through industrial and energy transformations, and now automation, digitalisation and industrial AI. Industry needs to lean in and work closely with key educators to make sure future generations have the tools and skills to address our greatest challenges and transform the world from Australia," Halliday said.

For the university, the grant adds to investment in technical facilities and strengthens ties with employers seeking graduates with experience in current engineering software. Access to tools used in industrial settings can help narrow the gap between academic study and workplace requirements, particularly in specialised fields such as electrical systems design and digital manufacturing.

Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the Sunshine Coast, said industry links are central to that approach.

"At UniSC, we are committed to providing our students with learning experiences that are directly connected to industry and the real world," Bartlett said.

"Our recent investment in high-tech labs is testament to our commitment to serving as a launchpad for innovation that supports economic growth. Industry partners are critical to achieving this.

"This grant from Siemens gives our students access to the same tools that leading manufacturers and engineering firms rely on every day. It strengthens our ability to produce graduates who are not only workforce-ready but future-ready, capable of stepping into roles that are driving Queensland's advanced manufacturing growth and contributing to globally significant projects. We are proud to partner with Siemens to help build the skilled workforce that Queensland needs," Bartlett said.

The Capital software included in the grant is used in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and defence, where engineers manage complex electrical systems alongside broader product and manufacturing design. Combined with Designcenter and Tecnomatix, the package gives students exposure to software used across several stages of the engineering process, from concept work to production planning.

That breadth matters for universities trying to align curriculum with changes in industrial practice, as digital models, simulation and AI-assisted engineering become more common in both product development and factory operations. The UniSC grant places those tools directly into student and researcher workflows at a time when employers are placing greater emphasis on software fluency alongside traditional engineering skills.