Software Engineer (Developer)

Overview:

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is seeking experienced APS6-level Software Developers to join its mission-critical teams supporting national cyber security and intelligence operations. Successful candidates will contribute to the design development integration and support of innovative software solutions within a fast-paced secure and agile environment.

These roles form part of a merit pool for current and future vacancies across ASD. While most positions are based in Canberra applicants based in Melbourne Brisbane or Perth may be considered depending on operational requirements. All roles are onsite and remote work cannot be guaranteed.

Contract Details:

• Start Date: Thursday 25 September 2025
  

• Initial Duration: 15 months
  

• Extensions: Up to 2 x 12-month terms
  

• Hours: 40 hours/week
  

• Security Clearance: Must hold or be eligible to obtain NV1 NV2 or PV clearance through AGSVA
  

• Location: ACT (preferred) QLD VIC WA
  

• Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA): May be required pre-commencement or within 12 months
  

• Design build integrate and document software systems aligned to business and operational requirements
  

• Translate logical designs into functional code using Agile Software Development Methodology (ASDM)
  

• Enhance automation capabilities recommend new tools and support integration of COTS and GOTS software
  

• Engage with stakeholders to gather and refine user requirements using agile techniques
  

• Provide technical support monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues
  

• Document workflows contribute to continuous improvement processes and promote team knowledge sharing
  

• Implement and maintain automated testing frameworks provide input on design and system improvements
  

Required Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in development languages/frameworks including:
  
  Python Java Java Messaging Service JavaScript/TypeScript J2EE Django Ruby
  

• Experience in RESTful APIs Kubernetes OpenShift
  

• Automation tools: Puppet Ansible Docker
  

• Front-end experience using React (preferred)
  

About ASD:

The Australian Signals Directorate is a statutory agency within the Department of Defence that provides foreign signals intelligence cyber security protection and offensive cyber capabilities to safeguard Australia s national interests.

Essential criteria

1. PROG 4 - Programming/software development: Level 4 (SFIA) Designs codes verifies tests documents amends and refactors complex programs/scripts and integration software services. Contributes to the selection of the software development methods tools and techniques. Applies agreed standards and tools to achieve well-engineered outcomes. Participates in reviews of own work and leads reviews of colleagues work.

2. TECH 4 - Specialist advice: Level 4 (SFIA) Provides detailed and specific advice regarding the application of their specialism to the organisations planning and operations. Actively maintains knowledge in one or more identifiable specialisms. Recognises and identifies the boundaries of their own specialist knowledge. Where appropriate collaborates with other specialists to ensure advice given is appropriate to the organisations needs.

3. DESN 4 - Systems design: Level 4 (SFIA) Designs system components using appropriate modelling techniques following agreed architectures design standards patterns and methodology. Identifies and evaluates alternative design options and trade-offs. Creates multiple design views to address the concerns of the different stakeholders and to handle functional and non-functional requirements. Models simulates or prototypes the behaviour of proposed system components to enable approval by stakeholders. Produces detailed design specifications to form the basis for the construction of systems. Reviews verifies and improves own designs against specifications.

4. SYSP 4 - System software: Level 4 (SFIA) Monitors system software metrics and adjusts configurations for optimum availability and performance. Reviews system software updates and identifies those that merit action. Configures system software for required functionality and performance. Investigates and resolves system software problems requesting action from supplier if required.

5. TEST 3 - Testing: Level 3 (SFIA) Designs test cases and test scripts under own direction mapping back to pre-determined criteria recording and reporting test outcomes. Participates in requirement design and specification reviews and uses this information to design test plans and test conditions. Applies agreed standards to specify and perform manual and automated testing. Automates testing tasks and builds test coverage through existing or new infrastructure. Analyses and reports on test activities results issues and risks.

6. SINT 3 - Systems integration and build: Level 3 (SFIA) Defines the software modules needed for anintegration build and produces a build definition for each generation of the software. Accepts completed software modules ensuring that they meet defined criteria. Produces software builds from software source code for loading onto target hardware. Configures the hardware and software environment as required by the system being integrated. Produces integration test specifications conducts tests and records and reports on outcomes. Diagnoses faults and records and reports on the results of tests. Produces system integration reports.

Additional requirements

1. What level of security clearance do you hold and provide your AGSVA CSID