• Remuneration Level 8: $127,351 - $143,489 + 17% Superannuation 
• Location: Kensington, NSW (hybrid flexibility to work from home and on campus 3 days a week)
• Fixed Term for 12 months
• Full Time (35-hour week)

Why The Role Matters:

The successful Senior Software Engineer plays a key role within City Futures Research Centre in providing high level practical and efficient software engineering leadership for the Urban Copilot Project. The role entails providing technical engineering management, reporting and analytical support, developing software systems, building key internal and external relationships, and developing/ consulting on Urban Copilot Project. The role reports to Senior Lecturer, supporting City Futures Research Centre at Faculty of Arts Design Architecture and has no direct reports.

Accountabilities:

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Accountabilities)

• Develop and monitor the delivery of Urban Copilot project to achieve operational and strategic goals from the technical perspective while oversee the development of project plans and schedules and participate in planning processes with the project team as required. Monitor, track and
• on the status of project deliverables to ensure time, cost and quality metrics are in line with approved project plans for assigned projects.
• Provide a high level of proactive technical support to project team and stakeholders.
• Assess and manage project risks and issues and provide solutions where applicable.
• Coordinate adherence to UNSW governance pathways to ensure projects are managed within a defined, consistent and proven set of rules for project development.
• Ensure the delivery of software outputs of the project through full ownership of software delivery lifecycle from planning and estimation through to implementation, QA, and release.
• Guide the development team through technical challenges, mentoring engineers and promoting best practices in software development by enforcing coding standards, reviewing pull requests and improving CI/CD pipelines.
• Accelerate software development by reviewing and improving the existing system architecture and software delivery processes.
• Lead the end-to-end development of AI-native applications, from design to deployment.
• Architect scalable, modular systems that integrate LLMs and geospatial data while maintaining system performance, scalability, and reliability across services.
• Stay current on trends in LLM, geospatial tech, and software architecture while be able to be ‘hands-on’, when required
• Work closely with the project manager to translate partner requirements into actionable delivery plans, ensuring key milestones and deliverables are met on schedule.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure user-facing features are well understood by development team and align with technical feasibility and AI capabilities.
  
  

Skills and Experience: 

To be considered you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Skills and Experience)

• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and collaboratively on initiatives with a range of people at different levels within an organisation.
• Experience working with a range of computer systems and applications, including but not limited to, Backend tools such as Python, FastAPI, Node.js, Go. Frontend tools such as TypeScript, React, Next.js, AI/LLM platforms such as OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain, vector DBs (e.g., Pinecone, Weaviate), Geospatial tools such as PostGIS, GDAL, Leaflet/Mapbox, QGIS, GeoJSON, Cloud platforms and tools such as AWS / GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, and other software development tools such as Git, GitHub.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• Proven project experience, with an understanding of the project life cycle and development of project plans, objectives and documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
  
  

Pre-Employment Checks:

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.

Our benefits include:

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

How to Apply:

Submit both a Cover Letter and CV online via the UNSW Job Board before Sunday 22^nd February 2026 by 11:30pm. Please ensure your Cover Letter addresses the Skills and Experience mentioned in the advert (no more than 1 page).

Get in Touch:

Any applications sent to the contacts below will not be accepted.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Christopher Pettit at c.pettit@unsw.edu.au

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Allyssar Hamoud at a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.