Job Description
n
This is an opportunity to lead a team working on the future of property search at REA.
n
Help shape experiences used at enormous scale.
n
Flexible work workplace
n
n
We're REA
n
At REA, we're changing the way the world experiences property.
n
Our brands include realestate.com.au,
realcommercial.com.au,
Flatmates.com.au, PropTrack and Mortgage Choice. We're proud to have been named one of Australia's Best Workplaces four times since ****, including third place in ****, as well as Best Workplace in Technology in **** and ****.
n
A bit about the team:
n
AI Search Intelligence exists to reimagine REA's core consumer search experiences, bringing together search, discovery and platform capabilities so we can help millions of people find their next home.
n
This role sits within the Core Experiences portfolio, in the Experience & Platform group, leading the AI Search Intelligence squad. It's a recently established team focused on building and scaling REA's next-generation conversational search capabilities, natural language query understanding APIs and attribute-aware semantic matching pipelines.
n
A little bit about the role:
n
As Engineering Manager, you'll play a pivotal role driving technical excellence, delivery success and team leadership for AI Search Intelligence. You'll lead a diverse team of 9 direct reports across full stack engineering, machine learning and data science. You'll help the team strengthen engineering quality and continue building capability in a team that solves some of REA's most complex and strategically important search problems.
n
You're comfortable leading teams that build and operate complex production software systems and high-throughput APIs, and you're energised by the opportunity to apply modern AI and NLP technologies at scale.
n
Day to day you can expect to deliver on the following:
n
n




Deliver squad roadmap commitments and AI search engineering outcomes in a sustainable way.
n
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team through coaching, pairing, feedback, delegation and setting clear expectations.
n
Set technical direction and maintain high standards in software engineering quality, code standards, solution design, AI and ML deployment and evaluation, systems health and engineering compliance.
n
Drive the development of conversational search features, memory systems, query understanding pipelines and semantic search capabilities.
n
Partner closely with product leaders and adjacent engineering teams to shape the strategic direction of search at REA.
n
Help define how AI-powered semantic search and traditional search capabilities integrate into a unified future experience.
n
Make thoughtful decisions about technical trade-offs, including the economics and operational cost of AI-powered features at scale.
n
Create an environment where engineers take ownership, step up into new responsibilities and do their best work together.
n
Support a strong operational culture grounded in REA's values.
n
n
What we're looking for:
n
n
Experience leading engineering teams of 8-10 people, ideally across a mix of software, machine learning and data disciplines.
n
Recent hands-on experience coaching engineers through pairing, code review and clear engineering standards.
n
Strong technical judgement and the ability to read and understand code across full stack, machine learning and data science environments.
n




Experience designing and operating AI-powered applications, including integrating LLMs into products, evaluation-driven development, experimentation and continuous improvement.
n
Strong judgement across modern API design, cloud architecture, software engineering practices and systems thinking.
n
The ability to lead through ambiguity, manage competing priorities and make progress in a fast-evolving landscape.
n
A strong sense of ownership and a proactive mindset — someone who brings proposals, not just questions.
n
Excellent collaboration and influencing skills across product, design, architecture and engineering stakeholders
n
A commitment to software craft, robust model evaluation, operational ownership, team wellbeing and growth.
n
A leadership style that is inclusive, grounded, empowering and human, with the personality and energy to build a strong team environment.
n
n
The REA experience
n
The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we'll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow. Some of our perks and benefits (/) include:
n
n
A hybrid and flexible approach to working
n
Flexible leave options including birthday leave and the option to purchase additional leave
n
Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
n
Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
n
Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life
n
n
Join our Talent Neighbourhood
n
Keen to be part of REA but didn't find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn't right? You should join our Talent Neighbourhood!
(
-
talentneighbourhood)
n
Req ID R*******
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Engineering Manager - Search Intelligence (Victoria)
🏢 News
📍 Victoria