Job Description

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Duration: Fixed-term contract (12 months)
• Remuneration: Level 6: $103,866 - $110,801 + 17% Super + Leave Loading
• Location: UNSW Kensington Campus

About UNSW:

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community, a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Why Your Role Matters:

The Software Engineer plays a key role in the development, maintenance and optimisation of API-driven digital infrastructure that supports a range of planning, housing and transport research projects. The role focuses on building and supporting robust, efficient and secure cloud-based services, from APIs to data pipelines, that enable real-time data visualisation and machine learning applications.

Working closely with front-end developers, machine learning specialists and research teams, you will design, implement and operate high-performance services and automation workflows in cloud environments.

The position reports to the Centre Digital Infrastructure & Labs Manager and has no direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, test and maintain front-end and back-end APIs supporting access to geospatial, transport and planning data.
• Support and maintain digital platforms and application services used for planning, housing and transport analytics.
• Apply security and access controls to applications and services in line with established practices.
• Support the use, maintenance and optimisation of PostgreSQL databases and related data services.
• Collaborate with researchers and developers to ensure data is accessible and suitable for visualisation and analytical purposes.
• Assist with deploying and operating APIs in AWS cloud environments using Docker and CI/CD practices.
• Support infrastructure automation using Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform.
• Prepare and maintain clear documentation for software, code and systems processes.
• Provide proactive technical support to research platforms, lab infrastructure and software environments.
• Contribute to research outputs, technical documentation and related project activities where required.

For more information regarding the responsibilities for this role, please refer to the Position Description at JOBS@UNSW.

Skills and Experience Summary:

• A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
• Demonstrated experience developing back-end APIs using FastAPI, Django, Flask or NodeJS, with a strong understanding of REST principles and API lifecycle management.
• Experience working with PostgreSQL databases, including querying, design and optimisation.
• Experience supporting asynchronous programming and developing scalable API endpoints.
• Experience with AWS services and container-based deployment using Docker.
• Experience using Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform or AWS CDK, including environment automation across development, staging and production environments.
• Experience or exposure to front-end development using modern frameworks such as React and JavaScript.
• Knowledge of authentication and security practices, including token-based authentication and role-based access controls.
• Demonstrated experience working within Unix/Linux environments, including scripting and cloud deployments.
• Strong collaboration, problem-solving, documentation and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in an agile team environment.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

How to Apply:

Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW.

Submit your CV and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the position in relation to the selection criteria (found under Skills & Experience on the PD) via the application portal before the advertised closing date. Advertisement closes Sunday 21st June.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Get in Touch:
For queries regarding the role, please contact Alireza Shamakhy, Digital Infrastructure & Labs Manager: a.shamakhy@unsw.edu.au

For queries regarding the recruitment process, please contact Lucy Gerondis, Talent Acquisition Partner: l.gerondis@unsw.edu.au

(Applications sent via email will not be accepted, please apply via the application portal).

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.