The Role

We are looking for a highly skilled Principal Network Engineer with experience in managing a team and driving outcomes. This role is critical in ensuring secure, scalable, and optimised network connectivity across hybrid environments, with an emphasis on integrating security into cloud services and remote access. We have three core priorities: building best-in-class people to support DDG’s efforts, underpinned by best-in-class global platforms, supported by best-in-class sovereign capabilities. Our goal is to provide warfighters the required technologies and connectivity needed to fight and win in the digital age. This role is critical to this, and will form part of larger project teams to drive the development of new solutions and deliver key capabilities. This function will reside within a newly established and growing Branch, where a high degree of autonomy will be provided, including being entrusted to help recruit, lead and mentor junior network engineers.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

You will be part of a team of ICT professionals delivering complex projects across key Digital domains in both the Military and Enterprise Systems Divisions within Defence Digital Group (DDG). These roles will provide technical expertise, mentorship and coaching in a matrixed construct, as teams and individuals are embedded into projects as needed.

As a Digital Engineer in DDG you may either:

• Lead a team of ICT professionals experienced in key technology platforms/products, or
• Work individually on projects as the technical engineering SME. We commit to providing additional professionalisation for the right candidates so you can continue to grow and develop your career.

Our Ideal Candidate

You will have one or more of the following:

Proven experience in supporting large complex network environments covering one or more of the following focus areas;

• Highly secure networks
• Geographically dispersed networks
• Large scale data-centre deployments
• Software defined networking (including SDWAN)
• Cloud networking
• Experience with ISM, essential eight (E8), and relevant technical assurance frameworks;
• Ability to translate user and business requirements into designing secure, scalable and resilient architecture that meets current and forecasted demand levels;
• Demonstrable experience in leading the design, development and implementation of scalable, reliable, and secure network architectures;

Exposure to cloud based environments using technologies such as;

• Netskope
• Zscaler
• Cloudflare Akamai
• Citrix Netscaler
• Private peering
• Advanced understanding of VPN technologies i.e. site to site VPN, client SSL VPN, MPLS etc.;
• Strong understanding of 802.1x authentication and Radius NPS technology, and PKI infrastructure;
• Ability to oversee all technical aspects of the network domain, including providing advice and ensuring there is a consistent path forward for all enhancement activities.
• Advanced understanding of Zero Trust Architecture and experience in implementing a large scale enterprise network;
• Understanding of Unified Threat Protection and Next Generation Firewall offerings.

Ideally, you will also:

• Demonstrate excellent collaboration skills and ability to work in a cross functional environment with diverse project teams, cyber security experts, and other teams to architect and deliver integrated solutions.
• Be a fast learner with ability to adapt in a dynamic environment, using modern, legacy equipment and varying technologies.
• Demonstrate experience delivering under an agile methodology.
• Author, maintain and update network documentation, configurations, and technical assurance reports on behalf of the Chief Engineer.
• Demonstrate alignment with Defence values, contribute to a high-performing work culture and foster growth opportunities for direct reports.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 22 June 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DDG/04695/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=AD5EBE51-E7B9-E762-8F22-E3DADAD8DD0D