Challenger Limited is an ASX-listed investment management firm managing
$128 billion in assets (as at 31 March ****)
.
Life with us is fast moving and always exciting.
Together we're driving to deliver our vision to provide our customers with financial security for a better retirement.
We achieve this goal by providing a work environment where people from diverse backgrounds, with a range of skills and experiences can contribute and succeed.
Lead Software Engineer
– React
The Opportunity
The Lead Software Engineer (React) will help shape Challenger's next generation of digital experiences.
Working within the Digital team and supporting the Customer Technology Uplift (CTU) programme,
you'll
lead the greenfield development of a modern, scalable React platform that delivers intuitive,
secure
and connected experiences.
As Challenger's React subject matter expert, you'll combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership
-
building the portal framework, component libraries, engineering standards and CI/CD pipelines that future teams will build on, while staying actively involved in coding, code reviews and solution design.
You'll
work closely with Product, Architecture, Design and Accenture delivery teams, translating technical decisions into terms the wider business can act on
-
leading through influence
.
This role will set the technical foundations for Challenger's greenfield digital capability
-
defining the architecture, engineering
standards
and delivery practices that future portal experiences will be built on.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Standards
Lead the design and ongoing evolution of Challenger's React portal architecture,
frameworks
and engineering standards
Own the technical integrity of the React platform as new capabilities are introduced, partnering with Solution Architects,
Designers
and delivery teams on scalable, secure, maintainable solutions
Shape decisions on React, micro-frontend architecture, API integration,
authentication
and platform scalability
Evaluate
new technologies
and engineering approaches to improve quality,
performance
and developer productivity
Hands-On Delivery & Quality
Design and
maintain
high-quality React applications and reusable front-end components, staying actively involved in coding, code
reviews
and troubleshooting
Review and
validate
code quality across development teams, including AI-assisted development outputs, ensuring adherence to engineering standards
Establish and
maintain
shared
component
libraries and development patterns that enable scalable delivery across multiple portal experiences
Integrate front-end applications with enterprise APIs and Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) patterns, working with identity,
security
and backend teams to deliver seamless customer experiences




Design and implement CI/CD pipelines and quality controls — testing, code review,
security
and release management that support secure, automated, reliable delivery
Identify
and resolve performance, scalability, accessibility and maintainability issues, and support observability and operational readiness across portal environments
Partnership & Influence
Provide technical leadership and informed challenge to engineering teams and delivery partners, including Accenture, acting as a credible counterpart in design and delivery discussions
Communicate technical trade-offs clearly to Product Owners and non-technical stakeholders, translating architectural decisions into business impact
Lead delivery through influence rather than direct reports — setting direction and standards that Accenture and internal teams build against
Help
establish
Challenger's internal capability and technical ownership within the portal programme as it matures
The Team
This role reports to the Product Owner, Digital, and forms part of the Digital team and Customer Technology Uplift (CTU) programme.
You'll
work closely with Product Owners, Solution Architects,
UX
/UI Designers, Technology Delivery Leads, Integration teams and Security specialists, and partner extensively with our technology partner's engineering teams
-
operating
as an embedded technical lead alongside on and offshore delivery resources.
While the role initially has no direct reports, it is expected to take on responsibility for a developer as the internal React capability grows.
About You
Significant proven hands-on experience designing,
building
and supporting enterprise-scale greenfield developments of React platforms,
establishing
the foundational architecture, application
framework
and reusable
component
libraries
Deep
expertise
in modern React architecture, including
component
composition, custom hooks and local, shared and server-state management, with the ability to select and govern patterns that support scalability,
maintainability
and performance
Experience
establishing
front-end frameworks, engineering standards, reusable
component
libraries
and development guardrails
Experience integrating front-end applications with enterprise APIs and Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) architecture patterns
Exposure to AI-assisted software development tools and experience governing or
validating
AI-generated code




Experience designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines and automated software delivery processes
Experience conducting code reviews and
maintaining
engineering quality standards
Demonstrated ability to balance hands-on development with technical leadership
-
influencing technical decisions and providing informed challenge to engineering teams, delivery
partners
or systems integrators
Experience delivering customer,
adviser
or self-service digital portal solutions
Experience working within large-scale digital transformation or platform modernisation programmes
Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience
Why Join Challenger?
You'll join Australia's leading investment management firm
-
a business with
a clear vision
to deliver customers financial security for a better retirement.
As Challenger's React subject matter expert,
you'll
set the technical foundations for a brand-new digital capability, with the scope to shape architecture,
standards
and delivery practices from day one.
For an engineer seeking greater strategic influence, genuine greenfield
ownership
and the chance to build something that scales, this is a rare opportunity to
leave a lasting technical footprint.
We provide access to a range of exclusive employee benefits that will support you both personally and professionally and a hybrid work environment including.
Discretionary bonus scheme
Employee share plan
Eighteen weeks paid leave for all new parents
Flexibility on when, and how, parental leave is taken
Challenger Day – one extra day off every year in recognition of the effort our people make
Subsidised on-site café and fantastic central location a stone's throw from Martin Place Metro
Additional
support leave (fertility treatment leave, gender affirmation leave)
Access to Fitness Passport
#LI-KM1
#LI-Challenger
#LI-Hybrid
Challenger's employee value proposition guides how we work:
Grow and realise your potential, supporting each other, stronger together and making things happen.
Our culture encourages curiosity, considered thinking and meaningful contribution, with opportunities to build a broad and rewarding career.
We are committed to fostering a protected, inclusive and respectful workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities and ways of thinking can thrive, and promoting flexible working to support work-life balance.
Challenger is proud to be a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, a Family Friendly Workplace and recognised as a Bronze Employer in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), the national benchmark for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
Job type:
Permanent
Posting Close Date :
16/10/2026

📌 Lead Software Engineer – React (New South Wales)
🏢 Challenger Group
📍 New South Wales