Development Lead
- University of New South Wales
- Australia, ACT
- Jul 20, 2026
Job Description:
Development Lead – Intelligent Systems for State and Societal Resilience (IS4SSR) Hub (UNSW Canberra)
Employment type: Continuing, Full - time (35 hours a week)
Remuneration: $167,885 base, plus 17% superannuation & university benefits
Location: UNSW Canberra, ADFA Campus.
About UNSW Canberra
University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Canberra has multiple locations in the Nation’s Capital.
UNSW Canberra distinguishes itself from other institutions by its commitment to being thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all endeavours. This combined approach is integral to the university's impact and contributes to its recognition as one of the top 20 universities globally, as well as a proud member of Australia's esteemed Group of Eight. Choosing a career at UNSW means embracing an environment where thriving, facing challenges, and engaging in meaningful work are not just encouraged but integral to the university experience. If you seek a career where you can excel and contribute meaningfully, you've found the right place.
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
Why Your Role Matters:
The Intelligent Systems for State and Societal Resilience (IS4SSR) Hub is a team of technical experts associated academics, working with world class aid and development experts to address challenges in contested and complex environments. The team works with civil society to co-design, build, and deploy technical solutions to increase the agency and impact of local change agents through greater access to resources, information, and informed decision-making.
The Development Lead plays a vital role in leading the design, architecture, and implementation of intelligent systems, platforms, and software solutions through managing and directing the core technical team. The role provides strategic and technical leadership across software engineering activities central to the Hub’s mission and operations.
This is a unique opportunity to drive software strategy, architecture, and delivery across a portfolio of intelligent systems, while guiding a talented technical team and working closely with researchers, stakeholders, and external partners. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with strategic influence, offering the chance to shape scalable, secure, and sustainable technology solutions that deliver meaningful real-world impact. Success in this role requires strong software engineering expertise, a collaborative leadership style, and the ability to navigate complex, evolving requirements while maintaining a strong focus on quality and innovation.
The Development Lead reports to Dr Tom Townsend as the Deputy Director of IS4SSR. Some travel may be required as part of this role.
Accountabilities:
- Relevant qualifications and extensive experience in the design and development of major software systems for external clients in one or more sectors (e.g., international aid, defence, government).
- Extensive experience leading software architecture for complex distributed or enterprise software systems, including architectural governance, scalability, security, maintainability, and cloud-native deployment considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to provide hands-on technical leadership in software engineering environments, including software design, code review, technical problem solving, and guidance across the software development lifecycle.
- Significant experience working within research-led, co-design, or multidisciplinary environments characterised by evolving requirements, operational complexity, and high levels of ambiguity.
- Experience designing or delivering intelligent, data-driven, or AI-enabled software systems would be highly regarded.
- Advanced project management experience and prior experience managing complex projects. Experience in leading the assessment and delivery of appropriate, significant software systems for external clients within agile software development processes.
- Excellent client relationship management, including consultation, influencing, communication, negotiation and networking to achieve organisational outcomes.
- Extensive experience in people leadership, development, engagement and supervision, with the demonstrated skills to motivate, inspire and mobilise diverse teams to create a positive workplace culture and deliver quality outcomes.
Benefits and Culture:
UNSW is committed to helping staff balance work-life responsibilities, by providing access to high-quality services, facilities, and flexible work and leave arrangements.
- Flexible working options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
- Additional three days leave during December festive period
- Career development opportunities
- Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
- Flexible 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice
- Free gym access
- UNSW-wide strategy to focus on Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Places and Healthy Culture.
You can learn more about our Benefits and Culture at Lifestyle & Benefits UNSW
Eligibility:
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.
How to Apply:
Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Tuesday 4th August at 11:30pm, including your CV and a 1–2-page cover letter addressing the required skills and experience outlined in the position description. In order to view the position description, please ensure that you allow pop-ups for https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au
Get in Touch:
Frank McHenry, Talent Acquisition Associate
Applications cannot be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.
Find out more about the lifestyle and benefits when working with UNSW
For further information about UNSW Canberra, please visit: UNSW Canberra
For further information on living in Canberra, please visit: Living in Canberra
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
At UNSW, we take pride in the broad range and high quality of our teaching programs. Our teaching gains strength and currency from our research activities, strong industry links and our international nature; UNSW has strong regional...
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Job Description:
Development Lead – Intelligent Systems for State and Societal Resilience (IS4SSR) Hub (UNSW Canberra)
Employment type: Continuing, Full - time (35 hours a week)
Remuneration: $167,885 base, plus 17% superannuation & university benefits
Location: UNSW Canberra, ADFA Campus.
About UNSW Canberra
University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Canberra has multiple locations in the Nation’s Capital.
UNSW Canberra distinguishes itself from other institutions by its commitment to being thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all endeavours. This combined approach is integral to the university's impact and contributes to its recognition as one of the top 20 universities globally, as well as a proud member of Australia's esteemed Group of Eight. Choosing a career at UNSW means embracing an environment where thriving, facing challenges, and engaging in meaningful work are not just encouraged but integral to the university experience. If you seek a career where you can excel and contribute meaningfully, you've found the right place.
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
Why Your Role Matters:
The Intelligent Systems for State and Societal Resilience (IS4SSR) Hub is a team of technical experts associated academics, working with world class aid and development experts to address challenges in contested and complex environments. The team works with civil society to co-design, build, and deploy technical solutions to increase the agency and impact of local change agents through greater access to resources, information, and informed decision-making.
The Development Lead plays a vital role in leading the design, architecture, and implementation of intelligent systems, platforms, and software solutions through managing and directing the core technical team. The role provides strategic and technical leadership across software engineering activities central to the Hub’s mission and operations.
This is a unique opportunity to drive software strategy, architecture, and delivery across a portfolio of intelligent systems, while guiding a talented technical team and working closely with researchers, stakeholders, and external partners. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with strategic influence, offering the chance to shape scalable, secure, and sustainable technology solutions that deliver meaningful real-world impact. Success in this role requires strong software engineering expertise, a collaborative leadership style, and the ability to navigate complex, evolving requirements while maintaining a strong focus on quality and innovation.
The Development Lead reports to Dr Tom Townsend as the Deputy Director of IS4SSR. Some travel may be required as part of this role.
Accountabilities:
- Relevant qualifications and extensive experience in the design and development of major software systems for external clients in one or more sectors (e.g., international aid, defence, government).
- Extensive experience leading software architecture for complex distributed or enterprise software systems, including architectural governance, scalability, security, maintainability, and cloud-native deployment considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to provide hands-on technical leadership in software engineering environments, including software design, code review, technical problem solving, and guidance across the software development lifecycle.
- Significant experience working within research-led, co-design, or multidisciplinary environments characterised by evolving requirements, operational complexity, and high levels of ambiguity.
- Experience designing or delivering intelligent, data-driven, or AI-enabled software systems would be highly regarded.
- Advanced project management experience and prior experience managing complex projects. Experience in leading the assessment and delivery of appropriate, significant software systems for external clients within agile software development processes.
- Excellent client relationship management, including consultation, influencing, communication, negotiation and networking to achieve organisational outcomes.
- Extensive experience in people leadership, development, engagement and supervision, with the demonstrated skills to motivate, inspire and mobilise diverse teams to create a positive workplace culture and deliver quality outcomes.
Benefits and Culture:
UNSW is committed to helping staff balance work-life responsibilities, by providing access to high-quality services, facilities, and flexible work and leave arrangements.
- Flexible working options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
- Additional three days leave during December festive period
- Career development opportunities
- Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
- Flexible 17% superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice
- Free gym access
- UNSW-wide strategy to focus on Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Places and Healthy Culture.
You can learn more about our Benefits and Culture at Lifestyle & Benefits UNSW
Eligibility:
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.
How to Apply:
Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Tuesday 4th August at 11:30pm, including your CV and a 1–2-page cover letter addressing the required skills and experience outlined in the position description. In order to view the position description, please ensure that you allow pop-ups for https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au
Get in Touch:
Frank McHenry, Talent Acquisition Associate
Applications cannot be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.
Find out more about the lifestyle and benefits when working with UNSW
For further information about UNSW Canberra, please visit: UNSW Canberra
For further information on living in Canberra, please visit: Living in Canberra
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
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