RFQ-ASD-LH-03979 Software Engineer
Due to the nature of clients we work with here at Kinexus and the projects these roles will be based on, an Australian Government Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) clearance is essential.
These opportunities do not have the ability to obtain sponsorship for a security clearance (including applicants who currently hold a security clearance seeking to upgrade).
ABOUT THIS ROLE
ASD are seeking a skilled Software Engineer to design, develop, and maintain high-quality software solutions. The ideal candidate will have expertise in API development, Linux environments, and multiple programming languages, with a strong understanding of software lifecycle management, CI/CD pipelines, and Identity and Access Management (IAM) concepts. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver secure, scalable, and efficient software systems. This role also requires meticulous document writing to support collaboration, compliance, and system maintenance.
Estimated start date: Monday, 08 September 2025
Initial contract duration: 12 months
Extension term: 12 months
Number of extensions: 2
Location of work: ACT
Working arrangements: Onsite. WFH cannot be accommodated. Candidates must be willing to undergo ASD's Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) prior to engagement. Candidates required to have PV clearance.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is the federal agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber warfare and information security. ASD's purpose is to defend Australia from global threats and help advance our national interests.
Situated in Canberra, ASD employs over 2000 TSPV cleared workers. ASD's workforce is growing rapidly. Areas of growth include PMO, cyber security, systems administration and engineering, software development and network engineering.
A top-security, complex and highly technical environment, ASD plays a vital role in the defence of Australia. Long contracts (12 months+) available.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Design and implement scalable IAM solutions leveraging Oracle Unified Directory, Active Directory, and Ping Federate.
* Integrate authentication and authorisation mechanisms into enterprise and network applications using protocols such as OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and SAML.
* Build, integrate, and maintain robust APIs to support application functionality and interoperability.
* Develop and test software applications using Java, Python, PowerShell, ensuring code is well-documented for maintainability.
* Develop and deploy software on RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) environments, leveraging Linux expertise for system configuration and scripting.
* Manage all phases of the software development lifecycle, from requirements analysis to deployment and maintenance.
* Work effectively as a productive member of an integrated team to meet a prioritised schedule of work.
* Author, maintain, and review comprehensive documentation, including design specifications, API references, user guides, and deployment procedures, ensuring clarity and alignment with project and business requirements
TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Proven experience as a Software Engineer with expertise in Java, Python, and PowerShell.
* Strong proficiency in API development and integration.
* Extensive experience with Linux, particularly RHEL, for development and deployment.
* Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab, BitBucket, AWS CodePipeLine, AzureDevOps or similar).
* Familiarity with IAM concepts and products, including OpenID Connect, OAuth, and Ping (OGNL language knowledge is a plus).
* Understanding of software lifecycle management and agile methodologies.
* Knowledge of infrastructure design principles for scalable software solutions.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
* 3+ years of relevant software development experience.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Essential criteria
* 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, techniques, and security practices. Applies agreed standards, tools, and security measures to achieve well-engineered outcomes. Participates in reviews of own work and leads reviews of colleagues' work.
* Software Design - Specifies, designs and architects large or complex software applications, components and modules. Adopts and adapts software design methods, tools and techniques. Undertakes impact analysis on major design options, makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Specifies prototypes/simulations to enable informed decision-making. Evaluates software designs to ensure adherence to standards and identifies corrective action. Ensures the software design balances functional, quality, security and systems management requirements. Contributes to the development of organisational software design and architecture policies and standards.
* Systems and software lifecycle engineering - Collaborates with those responsible for ongoing systems and software lifecycle management to select, adopt and adapt working practices. Supports deployment of the working environment for systems and software lifecycle working practices. Provides effective feedback to encourage development of the individuals and teams responsible for systems and software lifecycle working practices. Provides guidance and makes suggestions to support continual improvement and learning approach. Contributes to identifying new domains within the organisation where systems and software lifecycle working practices can be deployed.
* Identity and access management - Administers standard identity and access management services, implementing policies and resolving related issues. Manages monitoring, audits and logging for identity and access management systems. Investigates minor security breaches in accordance with established procedures related to identity and access management. Assists users in defining their access rights and privileges. Designs and implements simple identity and access management solutions, enhancing user access security. Contributes to the enhancement and optimisation of existing identity and access management processes and systems.
* Infrastructure design - Leads the design of complex infrastructure systems to deliver comprehensive design solutions. Develops detailed architectural frameworks and ensures integration of all infrastructure components, including cloud services. Provides guidance on recommended practices and design standards. Reviews and validates design specifications and documentation. Checks that designs are scalable, reliable and secure, aligning with business and technical requirements.
* Australian Citizenship and a TSPV security clearance is essential
Desirable criteria
* Provides technical expertise to enable the configuration of system components and equipment for systems testing. Collaborates with technical teams to develop and agree system integration plans and report on progress. Defines complex/new integration builds. Ensures integration test environments are correctly configured. Designs, performs and reports results of tests of the integration build. Identifies and documents system integration components for recording in the configuration management system. Recommends and implements improvements to processes and tools.
* Organises knowledge assets and oversees the lifecycle of identifying, capturing, classifying, storing and maintaining assets. Facilitates sharing, collaboration and communication of knowledge. Implements specific knowledge management initiatives. Monitors the use and impact of knowledge. Interrogates existing knowledge content to identify issues, risks and opportunities.
* Requirement Management - Defines and manages scoping, requirements definition and prioritisation activities for small-scale changes and assists with more complex change initiatives. Follows agreed standards and applies appropriate techniques to elicit and document detailed requirements. Provides constructive challenge to stakeholders as required. Reviews requirements for errors and omissions. Prioritises requirements and documents traceability to source. Provides input to the requirements baseline/backlog. Investigates, manages and applies requests for changes to requirements, in line with change management policy.
BENEFITS
Why work for ASD?
* Work on interesting and prestigious projects vital to the ongoing defence of Australia.
* Flexible work environment; work the hours that suit you between 7am and 7pm.
* Low attrition rate: the great variety of projects and opportunities across different business areas ensure few workers leave ASD.
* Long contracts available.
* Fantastic growth opportunities available at any stage of your career.
Why Kinexus?
* Kinexus has been supplying TSPV contractors to government panels since 2004 and have a strong relationship with them. We are one of just 9 suppliers Australia-wide.
* Our experience in managing contractors in defence/national security industries means we understand the requirements from the Commonwealth, insurances and clearances.
* DISP accredited; we can hold clearances and manage renewals.
* Dedicated account manager (me) who is your dedicated POC and offer continuous contractor care.
* Rate negotiation guidance in line with the SFIA framework.
* Dedicated payroll assistant who facilitates your taxes and super.
* We proactively chase timesheet approvers to ensure you get paid on-time and error free.
* Regular visits to Canberra for coffee, lunches and quarterly drinks events.
* We can facilitate novated car leases, LAFHA or salary sacrifice.
* We'll keep you up to date with the most appropriate, interesting opportunities in your field.
* Community matters. Kinexus supports women in Defence through our female mentoring program and rewards referrers through our Referral Rewards scheme.
* Support for your health and wellness through counselling support (EAP) available for all contractors and their families.
Kinexus is the leading recruitment partner to the defence industry in Australia. We support our community in making intelligent connections and create opportunities to help grow careers.
All applications should include your resume as a word document. For more information, visit our website, or contact Cindace Prasadat 0449 511 324. #LI-CP
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