Technical Lead – Software Engineer/Exploitation Specialist

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation – Canberra ACT 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 environment, 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 setting 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 a technical lead software engineer/exploitation specialist to develop, integrate and maintain capabilities in support of ASIO’s warranted computer access requirements. You will research and develop current 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 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 environment, 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 a technical lead software engineer/exploitation specialist 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 Technical Lead – Software Engineer/Exploitation Specialist in ASIO, you will: Translate high-level organisational intelligence requirements into a sustainable technical strategy. Anticipate shifts in the global digital landscape to ensure the agency maintains a competitive technical advantage. Provide leadership and apply your own subject matter expertise to set technical standards and processes. Deliver sensitive capabilities to enable computer access collection. Build relationships with industry, domestic and international intelligence partners to develop complex capabilities. Effectively communicate strategy, risks and opportunities to a range of technical and non-technical audiences in order to secure investment and cooperation. Support sensitive operations to enable intelligence collection requirements against ASIO priorities. Mentor and develop technical staff to build strategic capacity for ASIO to enhance its capabilities into the future. Eligibility

What you will bring

We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities: Demonstrated ability to shape the strategic direction of development activities to ensure alignment with overarching organisational need and evolving changes in the technology landscape. Commitment to technical excellence and rigor, with a demonstrated ability to identify risk and implement quality assurance frameworks for the testing, validation, and deployment of tools. Proven ability to cultivate and leverage strategic partnerships with external vendors, and inter-agency partners to enhance capability. Proven track record of mentoring highly specialised technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and translating complex technical achievements into value-statements for non-technical stakeholders. Proven ability to balance competing priorities and exercise sound judgement. 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. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate one or more of the following: Prior experience in ethical hacking, vulnerability research and/or penetration testing. Experience in digital forensics - computer, mobile, network and/or malware. Strong understanding of cyber and information security concepts. Software and hardware development, testing, integration and/or deployment including experience in Continuous Integration/Continuous Development and DevOps concepts. Understanding of mobile and personal computing operating systems. Understanding of networking protocols. Experience with reverse engineering. An understanding of how AI technology can be used to augment technical research and development tasks, including creating custom harnesses. 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. Employment conditions

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1999. 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. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad .

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📌 Technical Lead – Software Engineer/Exploitation Specialist (Yarralumla)
🏢 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
📍 Yarralumla