EL1 Lead Engineer, Artificial Intelligence

• Flexible hybrid work arrangements
• $123,799 to $140, % superannuation
• Ongoing and Non-ongoing

About the opportunity

AUSTRAC is hiring for positions to join the Intelligence Analytics team where our purpose is to service the data analytics needs of the Intelligence Division and provide data analytics support for the intelligence needs of partner agencies.

These roles offer a unique opportunity to innovate at the forefront of next generation data enablement and delivery of emerging AI technology and capability for AUSTRAC's future priorities.

As Lead Engineer AI, you'll provide strategic direction and technical leadership across AI initiatives.

You'll be a pivotal, technical lead and the driving force behind developing and delivering scalable, and secure AI solutions. As an established AI/ML engineer, you will architect and lead the implementation of and strategically deploy AI/ML models that support AUSTRAC's operational and strategic priorities.

What are we looking for (Selection Criteria)

• Extensive experience in AI/ML development, with recent experience on implementing large language models with assurance and quality metrics for use of automated agents.
• Programming skills - Excellent software engineering skills, including experience leading the delivery of production-grade software in mainstream general-purpose languages such as Python, and Java or JavaScript.
• AI/ML engineering – Computer engineering experience with AI workflow components (eg: MLFLow, Ollama, DspY, and Large language models).
• Familiarity with cloud-based services (eg: AWS) and open-source container orchestration (eg: Kubernetes).
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills – to inspire teams and explain complex AI concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Qualifications - Graduate degree in computer, statistics, mathematics or data science or relevant professional industry certifications.

For a complete list of the capabilities we're looking for, please refer to the Candidate Pack below.

Key Duties

Model Development and Optimisation

• Lead the design, development and deployment and maintaining scalable, assured machine learning models.
• Implement and apply data preprocessing, feature engineering, and optimisation techniques to enhance model accuracy and performance.
• Establish and maintain model training, validation, and evaluation metrics to ensure quality and consistency.

Integration and Infrastructure Management

• Manage and optimise model-serving and ML infrastructure in collaboration with platform teams.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to align AI solutions with business and technical needs.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Trouble shoot complex technical issues related to operational models, data pipelines and infrastructure.
• Drive workflow improvements through automation and prompt-engineering optimisation.
• Evaluate and refine models and systems to improve scalability, efficiency, and value delivery.

Governance and Integrity

• Ensure adherence to data security, privacy, policy, and compliance.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this role you:

• Must be an Australian citizen at the time you apply.
• Will need to undertake AUSTRAC's pre-engagement checks.
• Will need to obtain and maintain an ongoing Negative Vetting Level 1 Security Clearance.

Affirmative Measures

This vacancy is being advertised concurrently under a general round, an affirmative measures disability and an affirmative measures indigenous round.

Evidence of eligibility will be requested if your application progresses under an affirmative measures process.

Please indicate in your application if you are applying under Affirmative Measures, by ticking the relevant box in the application form.

Why AUSTRAC?

Diversity and Inclusion: Our core values of diversity, inclusion, and integrity drive everything we do. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and those of mature age. We recognise that united behaviours and mindsets will support our agency today and guide us into the future.

Employer of Choice: We have a strong reputation as an Employer of Choice, renowned for our exceptional work culture and outstanding employee census results which highlight our dedication to creating a positive and engaging environment. AUSTRAC is placed 3rd for APS agencies, in Time Magazine's Australia's Best Employers of 2025.

Mission Driven: Make an impact at Australia's anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing regulator and financial intelligence unit. We offer you a challenging and rewarding career with meaningful work.

Closing Date and Notes

Applications close at 11:30 pm AEDT on Sunday 16 November 2025

For enquiries, please contact:

AUSTRAC is conducting bulk recruitment for Data roles across a range of teams and classification levels. This recruitment process will be used to fill current vacancies and build a merit pool for future roles.