Position: Principal Engineer

Make an impact influencing the technical direction of multiple squads in an exciting AI/ML domain

Work across multiple squads in a leading property brand, impacting millions of users

Permanent full time role based in Richmond

We're REA
With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you're at on your property journey, we're here to help with every step – whether that's finding or financing your next home.

Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact. As such, we’re proud to have been named in Australia’s “Top 5” Best Workplaces two years in a row, as well as being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women.

Where the team fits in

As a Principal Engineer – Generative AI, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the solution architecture and design of AI-powered systems across REA. In collaboration with other technical leaders across the business, you will guide the implementation of REA’s technology strategy with a focus on modern AI/ML approaches, particularly Generative AI, and how they can drive innovation, automation, and consumer impact.

While the focus of this role is on architecture and technical excellence, you will remain hands-on and work closely with teams to develop intelligent, AI-driven software solutions using agile development practices. You will champion the adoption of machine learning, deep learning, and foundation models, ensuring high-quality outcomes for our business through experimentation, technical leadership, and strong engineering practices.You’ll be responsible for aligning technical strategies across Engineering Managers (EMs) and Senior Engineering Managers (SEMs), influencing the direction for multiple squads.

What the role is all about

- Actively participate in the definition of a clear technology strategy for your area through collaboration with Architects, Directors of Engineering, and Engineering Managers.
- Partner with Engineering Managers to ensure that technical solutions, including AI/ML systems, are delivered in alignment with the strategy.
- Develop and drive actionable plans to improve the health of systems in your area, including AI model performance, infrastructure, and data quality.
- Promote exploration of emerging technologies, including Generative AI, foundation models, and ML operations, to maintain REA’s technology strength and relevance.
- Design high-quality, user-centric, cross-squad solutions, leveraging AI/ML capabilities where appropriate, in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
- Foster a vibrant and connected internal technology community through engagement, technical leadership, and contributions to AI/ML knowledge-sharing.
- Drive impactful external engagement through talks, publications, open-source contributions, or partnerships to build recognition of REA as a technology thought leader in AI.
- Foster the next generation of technology leaders through coaching and mentoring experienced engineers across your area, with a focus on building AI and data expertise.

Who we’re looking for

- Extensive experience providing technology leadership to engineering teams, along with strategic and architectural guidance across complex systems
- Strong track record in developing long-term architectural strategies, particularly in AI/ML-enabled platforms
- Highly proficient in modern cloud technologies and microservices-based design
- Deep expertise in machine learning, with growing experience in Generative AI, large language models, and emerging AI techniques
- Proven experience in mentoring and nurturing experienced engineers, fostering a high-performing culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and technical excellence
- Highly effective in navigating technical details, addressing operational challenges, and validating early-stage solutions
- Excellent communication skills that allow you to share complex technical ideas clearly across both technical and business domains

The REA experience

The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we’ll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.

- A hybrid and flexible approach to working
- Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave
- Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
- Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
- Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you've got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.

Like a lot of companies, we have perps out there who like to ‘phish’ and have had a few recent instances of people pretending to be from REA and making offers of employment, on the condition that they transfer money for security checks.

Find out more about our tech teams who build products that millions of people use every day.

Our corporate headquarters in Melbourne is a bright open space, open to possibilities.

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