Senior Software Engineer

Azooa is preparing a response for 2026-157-Joint-EWIS-JA-RFQ – Software Engineer and is seeking suitably qualified contractors for this opportunity.

This is a Defence software engineering role supporting the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit, focused on the modernisation and enhancement of Electronic Warfare capabilities through robust, high-performance scientific and engineering software solutions.

Overview

The Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit is seeking a talented and driven Software Engineer – Level 3 to support the design, development, implementation, maintenance and modernisation of software solutions that contribute to Defence Electronic Warfare capability.

The role will support systems that protect Australia’s national interests and contribute to frontline operational readiness. The successful contractor will work across software engineering, full-stack development, data integration, user interface development, database architecture, testing, validation and Defence compliance.

Core Purpose

The core purpose of this role is to design, build, maintain and enhance software applications that support Electronic Warfare capability outcomes.

The Software Engineer will contribute to modernising scientific and engineering applications, translating customer requirements into software designs, resolving software discrepancies and supporting delivery within an agile, collaborative Defence environment.

Scope / Responsibilities

The Software Engineer will be expected to support activities including:

• Designing, developing, implementing and maintaining software for scientific and engineering applications
• Supporting configuration management and software quality control
• Defining system and software requirements
• Analysing customer requirements and translating them into software designs
• Working with agile development tools such as Jira, Confluence and Bitbucket / Git
• Identifying potential roadblocks and developing software solutions where requirements may not be fully defined
• Improving performance metrics through planning and execution of development tasks
• Responding to and resolving software discrepancies against requirements
• Collaborating with technical teams to define software requirements
• Designing, developing, testing and deploying software solutions for Defence customers
• Supporting front-end and GUI development
• Supporting back-end and database architecture
• Developing integration APIs and supporting data integration outcomes
• Ensuring software integration and compliance with Defence policies
• Assessing software maintainability and adherence to user requirements
• Supporting compliance with industry and Defence standards
• Generating and updating documents defining software baselines
• Exploring new technical areas, programming languages or approaches to deliver solutions
• Communicating effectively with commercial, engineering and technical stakeholders
• Working onsite at Commonwealth premises as required

Key Deliverables

Expected deliverables may include:

• Software design artefacts
• Software requirements documentation
• System requirements inputs
• Developed software components and applications
• Front-end / GUI components
• Back-end and database architecture contributions
• Integration APIs
• Software test and validation outputs
• Defect resolution records
• Software discrepancy responses
• Configuration management records
• Software baseline documentation
• Quality control and assurance documentation
• Agile delivery artefacts in Jira, Confluence and Git / Bitbucket
• Technical documentation and stakeholder reporting
• Software maintainability and compliance assessments

Mandatory / Essential Criteria

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science or a related field
• Minimum 5+ years of software development and software modernisation experience
• Strong understanding of software engineering standards, specifications and best practices
• Experience developing software for scientific, engineering, Defence or complex technical applications
• Familiarity with modern programming languages, including:
• Python
• C++
• Java
• JavaScript
• Other relevant modern languages
• Full-stack development and deployment experience
• GUI development experience
• Database and back-end development experience
• Experience with integration APIs
• Experience with software quality assurance, testing and validation
• Ability to work with ambiguity and shifting requirements
• Ability to solve complex software problems in evolving environments
• Ability to work independently and manage workload reliably
• Ability to contribute effectively within a collaborative team environment
• Ability to work with SMEs, developers and program leads
• Active NV1 security clearance as a minimum
• Ability to work onsite for a minimum of 4 days per week

Desirable Criteria

Highly desirable experience may include:

• Active NV2 security clearance
• Electronic Warfare experience
• Defence software engineering experience
• Experience supporting Defence capability programs
• Experience working with scientific or engineering software applications
• Experience with software modernisation in secure environments
• Experience using Jira, Confluence and Bitbucket / Git
• Experience supporting data integration
• Experience developing intuitive user interfaces
• Experience solving algorithmic or performance-related software challenges
• Experience working on applications that require Defence policy compliance
• Experience in agile software delivery environments
• Experience communicating with commercial, engineering and technical stakeholders
• Experience working on Commonwealth premises or in Defence project environments

Engagement Details

• RFQ Title: Software Engineer
• RFQ Number: 2026-157-Joint-EWIS-JA-RFQ
• Role Title: Software Engineer
• Skill Set: 2.1 – Systems and Software Engineering
• Skill Level: L3
• Vacancies: 1
• FTE Required: 1.0
• Location: Adelaide – DSTG Edinburgh
• Work Arrangement: Minimum 4 days onsite per week
• Start Date: ASAP
• End Date: 31 December 2026
• Likely Extension: To December 2027
• Contracting Model: Time and Materials
• Clearance: Minimum NV1, with requirement to uplift to NV2 on successful contract
• ITAR Requirement: Yes

Work is expected to be conducted on Commonwealth premises, typically at JEWOSU offices at DSTG Edinburgh in Adelaide. Work is expected to be a minimum of 8 hours per day during routine business hours, commencing no later than 8:30am and concluding no earlier than 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. Flexible work arrangements, where available, will be subject to Commonwealth approval.

Clearance and Suitability Requirements

Candidates must hold a minimum NV1 Australian Government security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to uplift to NV2 following successful contract award.

This position may require access to US export-controlled materiel. Applicants may be requested to disclose:

• Dual citizenship with another country
• Country of birth
• Relevant information required for ITAR access assessment

Dual citizens may be subject to further assessment, and appointment may be conditional upon approval to access US-controlled export materiel in accordance with the United States Arms Export Control Act.

The RFQ also notes that candidates must not have worked full-time for Defence as either an ADF SERCAT 6 or 7 member, or APS employee, in the 12 months prior to commencing as an Above-the-Line contractor.

RFQ Relevance

Your profile will need to be positioned against the RFQ requirements, including:

• Software engineering and software modernisation experience
• Defence, Electronic Warfare or scientific / engineering application relevance
• Full-stack development capability
• Front-end, GUI, back-end, database and API integration experience
• Software quality assurance, testing and validation experience
• Agile delivery experience using Jira, Confluence and Git / Bitbucket
• Ability to work onsite at DSTG Edinburgh in Adelaide
• NV1 clearance and ability to uplift to NV2
• Ability to support ITAR / export-controlled materiel requirements
• Ability to operate under broad direction and deliver outcomes independently
• Strong collaboration with SMEs, developers, engineering and program stakeholders

Rate Guidance

• Maximum rate: $156.95/hour including super
• Azooa recommended value-for-money target: Under $145/hour including super

Azooa recommends candidates bid under $145/hour including super where possible, as this is likely to present stronger value for money in the current market.

Rate competitiveness generally works as follows:

• Under $145/hour including super: stronger value-for-money position and higher chance of success
• $145–$156.95/hour including super: may still be considered depending on Defence software engineering, EW, NV2, full-stack, scientific software and secure-environment experience
• Above $156.95/hour including super: likely to be less competitive unless highly specialist Electronic Warfare, Defence software engineering, NV2, algorithmic development or scientific application experience strongly justifies the rate

Higher rates may still be considered where niche Electronic Warfare, Defence software engineering, NV2 clearance, scientific software, algorithmic development, full-stack engineering or secure-environment experience strongly supports the submission.

Please provide your expected hourly or daily rate including super, so Azooa can assess competitiveness.

How Azooa Can Support You

Submit through the highly successful Azooa Contracts Team for support with:

• Positioning your profile to maximise win probability
• Helping align your rate with market expectations and value-for-money positioning
• Assisting with tailored responses and submission strategy
• Highlighting relevant Defence, EW, software engineering and full-stack development experience
• Providing access to similar Defence and Federal Government opportunities