Senior Software Engineer AI/ML

Cleared Recruitment are supporting a privately owned Australian defence company seeking a Senior Software Engineer with AI/ML experience and baseline clearance or above to join their Adelaide-based team in a permanent role.
This opportunity suits someone stepping into a hands-on technical leadership role, combining senior-level software engineering with practical AI/ML application. You'll remain deeply technical while helping guide technical direction, mentoring engineers, and working with engineering leadership to define technical goals, scope work, and align development with program and customer objectives.
You'll contribute to impactful defence programs, building AI-enabled, interactive and real-time modelling and simulation applications in a collaborative, delivery-focused environment.
Skills and Experience
Essential

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  Strong backend software engineering experience using Python, C++, Ja or C#
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  Experience applying AI/ML techniques in production or R&D environments, including exposure to frameworks such as TensorFlow and/or PyTorch
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  Ability to design, write, test, and document clean, efficient, and maintainable code
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  Experience developing Windows and/or Linux native applications, including GUI-based systems
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  Excellent problem-solving, reasoning, and systems-thinking skills
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  Exposure to defence-related systems such as weapons, electronic warfare, command and control, or flight systems

Desirable

• Experience building distributed and networked systems, including network communications and system configuration
• Experience working on modelling and simulation systems
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  Experience with real-time graphics, visualisation, or user interface design
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  Familiarity with graphics and compute technologies such as DirectX, OpenGL, Vulkan, CUDA, OpenCL, HLSL, or GLSL
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  Experience with microservices, virtualisation, and containerisation
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  Working knowledge of Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)
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  Experience working in Agile development and testing environments

About you:
You are a senior, highly motivated Software Engineer with strong backend development experience in C++, Python, or C#, and practical exposure to AI/ML techniques used to enhance real-world systems. You enjoy working on complex, mission-critical software and take pride in writing clean, maintainable code that performs reliably in demanding environments.
You thrive in hands-on technical roles where you can contribute at both the code and system level, collaborating closely with multi-disciplinary teams to translate operational and user requirements into robust software solutions. Your experience spans modelling and simulation, native Windows and Linux applications, and integrating software with broader systems, with an appreciation for performance, scalability, and long-term maintainability.
Comfortable working in defence-aligned environments, you bring strong problem-solving skills, sound engineering judgement, and the ability to balance innovation with discipline when delivering software that truly matters.
What you will do
Participate in crafting and advancing systems integral to shaping the future defence capabilities of Australia.

Collaborate with clients and team members to analyse and discern requirements for development initiatives or workflow enhancements.

Advocate for software best practices, including Agile development and testing methodologies; actively encourage and engage in collaboration throughout all stages of the system development life cycle.

Take charge of project advancement and convey project status updates to the team lead, partners, and clients.

Provide proactive mentoring to nurture the growth of software engineers in their development endeavours.

Benefits
Experience fulfilling and captivating tasks within an environment that fosters growth and support in a dynamic and expanding organisation. Enjoy a vibrant and supportive workplace culture that thrives on engagement, creating a stimulating atmosphere.
Benefit from a 37.5-hour workweek complemented by flexible hybrid work arrangements, emphasizing a harmonious work-life balance. Recognize the value placed on professional development and receive competitive remuneration for your contributions. It's an opportunity for interesting and rewarding work in a setting that values your well-being and career growth.

Clearance required
Baseline clearance or above required - Unsure? Visit before applying- https://www.agsva.gov.au/about/security-clearance-definitions

At Cleared, we provide tailored recruitment solutions to individuals seeking their next opportunity and to organisations searching for talent within Defence Industry, Intelligence and National Security.

To arrange a confidential conversation or apply, please contact Emily on 0401791117 or to view all our current openings, please visit https://www.clearedrecruitment.com.au/