The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO’s people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. We are culturally and linguistically diverse, language skills enhance our collective ability to protect Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value.

At a time when Australia’s security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more important than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.

The Opportunity

ASIO is seeking software engineers and exploitation specialists to develop, integrate and maintain capabilities in support of ASIO’s warranted computer access requirements. You will research and develop new and novel approaches to meet a variety of technical intelligence collection challenges and respond to the rapid pace of technology development. In this role, you will work in a broad technical collection group where teamwork and effective communication is imperative.

You will work closely with internal stakeholders and industry partners to provide integrated technical solutions to enable some of our most complex collection tasks. In partnership with operational teams, you will enable the deployment of these capabilities to directly support ASIO’s mission.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

The key duties of the position include:

Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer/Exploitation Specialist at ITE1.1/ITE2 level, you will:

- Maintain awareness of mobile, desktop and network technologies to identify emerging threats and opportunities that impact access and collection capabilities.
- Collaborate with industry and intelligence partners to develop technical solutions and transition exploitation capabilities to operations.
- Conduct capability testing and work with other internal stakeholders to coordinate end-to-end operational testing of system components.
- Provide training and support to operational teams to enable the deployment of exploitation capabilities, including during ASIO operational activities. This may require activity outside standard working hours.

In addition to the above, as a Senior Exploitation Specialist at the SITE C level, you will:



- Provide mentoring and support to junior staff.
- Leverage highly developed interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Develop and/or integrate software and tooling, spanning more than one language and domain.
- Lead and manage high level system design within teams across Computer Access capabilities and projects to ensure interoperability, scalability and sustainability.

Eligibility

What you will bring

We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:

ITE1.1/ITE2 (APS5/APS6) level:

- Adheres strictly to security protocols while proactively identifying potential risks within the collection pipeline to protect the Organisation and its data sources.
- Applies technical problem-solving to resolve immediate failures and designs technical workflows that anticipate future operational needs and technological shifts.
- Works collaboratively with peers and stakeholders, delivers high-quality technical outputs and coordinates the delivery and sustainment of bespoke toolsets from inception to operational use.
- Contributes to the long-term roadmap for digital collection capabilities, balancing internal development with industry partnerships.
- Builds and sustains strategic partnerships across government, industry, and international agencies.
- Clearly explains technical issues and translates complex constraints into actionable options for operational stakeholders.




- Ability to develop, support, and sustain complex systems, with a strong background in one or more of the following:
- Full stack development, Linux/ARM, system administration, mobile and digital application development, vulnerability research or digital forensics

SITE C (EL1) level:

- Oversees the security posture of the technical estate, ensuring that all bespoke tool development and online collection activity is risk-managed and compliant with overarching security directives.
- Translates high-level organisational intelligence requirements into a sustainable technical strategy. Anticipates shifts in the global digital landscape to ensure the agency maintains a competitive technical advantage.
- Manages the end-to-end lifecycle of technical capabilities, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to deliver high-impact tools on time and within scope.
- Leads multidisciplinary teams and fosters strategic alliances with key industry leaders and government partners to accelerate capability acquisition.
- Demonstrates exceptional leadership and accountability, upholding the highest standards of professional conduct and safeguarding sensitive technical capabilities.
- Acts as a primary technical advisor to senior executives, articulating complex technical risks and opportunities to drive strategic investment and operational change.
- Ability to develop, support, and sustain complex systems, with a strong background in one or more of the following:
- Full stack development, Linux/ARM, system administration, mobile and digital application development, vulnerability research or digital forensics
- Possesses the depth of knowledge to challenge technical assumptions and validate the viability of complex digital collection solutions.

You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once.

Refer to ASIO’s Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.

Skills and qualifications

Candidates are required to have one of the following tertiary qualifications or relevant industry qualifications in:

- Information Technology, Computer Science or Cyber Security
- Network, Electrical, Telecommunications, Computer or Mechanical Engineering
- Other relevant Science, Technical, Engineering and Mathematical fields not covered above.

The following interests and experience in one or more of the following is desirable, but not required:

- Full stack software development / Linux / ARM development
- System and network administration
- Mobile file systems, forensics and data collection
- Ethical hacking, vulnerability research and/or penetration testing
- Telecommunications systems, cellular (Core and protocol experience) and non-cellular (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and related ISM) networks
- Full stack software development and hardware development, testing, integration and/or deployment including experience in Continuous Integration/Continuous Development and DevOps concepts
- Reverse Engineering (Software and/or Hardware).

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at ASIO, you must be:

- an Australian citizen
- assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.

Reasonable adjustments

Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. This may include reasonable adjustments to assessment methodologies to enable full participation.

Notes

What we offer you

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

- A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.
- Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.




- A variety of leave options in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave, including stand down between Christmas and New Year.
- Flexible working arrangements. Please note due to our unique working environment, work from home options are not available.
- Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
- Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Location

Canberra, ACT. Other locations may be considered according to the needs of the Organisation.

Relocation assistance is available if required.

We advertise positions nationally to reach the broadest audience. Please refer to the above location before applying.

How to apply

ASIO officers’ identities are protected by law. Under section 92 of the ASIO Act, the only declared ASIO officers are the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General. Due to the need to protect our people’s identities, ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

Click on ‘Apply online’ to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:

- A written pitch of up to 800 words that addresses the required capabilities for the role. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the capabilities.
- A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length, outlining your employment history, the dates and a brief description of your role, as well as any academic qualifications or relevant training you have undertaken.
- Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or former supervisor. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.

Before applying read the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with the relevant capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks.

Use of artificial intelligence in recruitment processes

ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence (AI) at any point in the recruitment process.

All applications are reviewed by a selection panel. We recognise some applicants may use AI technologies to draft applications or prepare for interviews. If you wish to use AI, we recommend doing this only for initial drafts and ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your skills, experience and qualifications.

Additionally, be aware of the privacy policies of any AI tool you use. Be mindful of the information you are entering into AI tools (personal details, work history, etc) and how using it may link you to potential ASIO employment, noting that you are expected to be discrete and maintain confidentiality with your application.

If you are invited to attend interview, the use of AI tools and recording devices during interview is strictly prohibited. Should AI tools or recording services be detected, your application, and any future applications may be discontinued.

The recruitment selection process

Our selection process is rigorous and extensive. All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages may include application assessment, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and interview.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process.

Employment conditions

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Australian Workplace Equality Index

ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024, 2025 and 2026, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was the first Australian intelligence agency to achieve this status.

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.

📌 Software Engineer / Exploitation Specialist (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
📍 Canberra