[1] Lough first joined DSTO's predecessor Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) as a technical assistant, then studied at the University of Adelaide, earning his B.Sc.
Lough's early research at WRE was in the field of rocket propulsion for tactical weapons, including a Harkness Fellowship placement in the US, then from 1983 as Attaché, Defence Research and Development in Washington D.C.
[1] Lough took the post of First Assistant Secretary Science Policy in 2000, then Director Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory from January 2002 which became Director Platforms Sciences Laboratory in July 2002.
He was promoted to Chief Defence Scientist in September 2003.
[1] After retiring from DSTO, Lough remained interested in Defence Science.