The Role

Discipline Leader –Software and DevOps Environments.

Are you a senior software engineer or technologist passionate about empowering scientific research through cutting-edge software platforms? Do you thrive in complex, high-performance computing environments and want to make a real impact on national defence capabilities?

Join DSTG as the Discipline Leader – Software and DevOps Environments, where you’ll lead a team of talented engineers and technologists in shaping the future of secure, scalable, and high-performance software environments for Defence research.

About the Role

Reporting to the Group Leader of Computational and Data Intensive Sciences (CDIS), you will:

• Lead the design, development, and support of DSTG’s software engineering platforms, tools, and services.
• Champion secure-by-design software development practices, including dependency mirror hosting, automated code assurance, and secure container image pipelines.
• Drive the development of an on-premises ML experimentation platform, enabling Defence researchers to accelerate machine learning innovation.
• Collaborate across DSTG to ensure platforms meet the evolving needs of computational scientists and software developers.
• Identify and integrate emerging tools and technologies that enhance Defence research capabilities.

At CDIS, we don’t just support research — we accelerate it. By partnering with DSTG researchers, we deliver high-performance digital science capabilities that empower computational science, data-intensive research, and software innovation. Our team thrives on solving complex problems with smart, scalable tech — and we’re looking for people who do too.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a visionary leader with:

• Proven experience in leading software engineering teams and delivering robust, scalable platforms.
• Deep expertise in DevSecOps, modern software engineering practices, and secure development lifecycles.
• A strong track record of enabling scientific computing and supporting diverse user communities in complex ICT environments.
• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including Defence stakeholders and international collaborators.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead secure-by-design software development initiatives and platform engineering.
• Collaborate internally and with Defence stakeholders to align software environments with strategic goals.
• Represent DSTG at national and international forums, translating complex technical insights into actionable outcomes.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the digital backbone of Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Software Development capability. If you're ready to lead innovation at the intersection of software engineering and scientific research, we want to hear from you.

About our Team

The Research Technology and Operations (RTO) division is home to a multidisciplinary workforce of engineers, technicians, computer scientists, and digital specialists who deliver cutting-edge research services and technical solutions that underpin DSTG’s scientific and operational excellence..

Within RTO, the Computational and Data Intensive Sciences (CDIS) Group plays a pivotal role in enabling Defence research through advanced digital science capabilities. From DevOps and software engineering to AI/ML and computational science partnerships, our teams work across DSTG to deliver agile, scalable, and impactful solutions that keep Defence science at the forefront of innovation.

We operate in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where curiosity, creativity, and technical excellence are valued — and where your work directly contributes to national Defence outcomes.

Our Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for self-driven professionals with a strong foundation in computational science, software engineering, or AI/ML — and a passion for empowering others through technology. You thrive in agile teams, embrace change, and enjoy solving complex problems in partnership with researchers and technologists. If you're ready to join a dynamic and supportive team committed to making a real impact in Defence research, we want to hear from you.

Highly Desirable Attributes

• Proven experience in software engineering and computational science
• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with scientists, researchers, and engineers to understand and support their objectives.
• Experience applying digital science capabilities in a Defence or mission-critical context.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and contribute within agile teams, including sprint planning and workflow coordination.
• Ability to help define and communicate technical vision and strategy within a team or discipline.

Application Closing Date: Friday 24 October 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DSTG/07756/25 on www.defence.gov.au/apscareers