Melbourne | Federal Government ICT

PALAS Consulting is recruiting two Data Engineers for contract engagements with a Federal Government client in Melbourne. Both roles sit within a data engineering and operations team that builds and runs an enterprise data platform on Azure inside a large, security-conscious agency. One role moves data from the agency's source systems into the platform's landing zone; the other conforms and integrates that data into data products for use across the organisation.

Apply against the role that fits you and we will contact you to discuss the engagement, the environment and your fit.

Data Acquisition Data Engineer

You will build and operate the pipelines that move data from the agency's source systems into the landing zone of its enterprise data platform. The toolset is Azure Data Factory and Apache NiFi against SQL Server sources, and the measure of the work is data that arrives complete, on schedule and traceable to where it came from. Source systems in this environment are varied and not always well documented, so an engineer who will find out how a system actually behaves before wiring it up is more valuable here than one who waits for a specification.

About you:

- One or more years of hands-on Azure Data Factory experience, and the same with Apache NiFi.
- Working depth in SQL Server, including profiling and extracting from databases you did not design.
- Azure cloud and Azure DevOps experience is an advantage, as is exposure to Apache Iceberg or Cloudera.
- This is a mid to senior level role.

Data Product Development Data Engineer

You will take raw data landed on the platform and turn it into conformed, integrated datasets that business areas can rely on. The work is Apache Spark in Python, with Apache NiFi for data flow, Apache Iceberg as the table format and delivery through Azure DevOps pipelines.



Data products here are consumed by people making decisions on them, so schema design, data quality checks and lineage matter as much as the transformation code.

About you:

- One or more years of Apache Spark (PySpark) development, and the same with Azure DevOps and Apache NiFi.
- Experience building and maintaining Apache Iceberg tables in a lakehouse environment.
- SQL Server, wider Azure cloud experience and Cloudera exposure are each an advantage.
- This is a senior level role.

Eligibility

- Australian citizenship is mandatory.
- Current AGSVA security clearance.
- Based in Melbourne, or willing to work on-site in Melbourne three to five days per week.

Location and Working Arrangements

These roles are Melbourne-based. In office attendance at the client's premises is required three to five days per week, with any remaining days at the discretion of the client agency. Contracts are an initial term with extension options, engaged through PALAS Consulting at competitive daily rates. Shortlisting commences from Monday 21 September 2026, so early applications are encouraged.

How to Apply

Apply through this advertisement with a current CV and note which role you are applying for. We will contact suitable applicants directly to discuss the engagement, rates and timing.

About PALAS Consulting

PALAS Consulting is a Canberra-based consultancy working exclusively in Defence, national security and Australian Government. We strengthen delivery control, leadership effectiveness and decision confidence on nationally significant programs, and we place senior practitioners into Federal Government engagements through Commonwealth procurement processes. Confidence under pressure.

Learn more at palasconsulting.com.au or contact [email protected]. Follow PALAS Consulting on LinkedIn for Federal Government ICT, cyber security and program delivery opportunities in Canberra and nationally.

📌 Data Engineers (Data Acquisition and Data Products) (Canberra)
🏢 PALAS Consulting
📍 Canberra