Software Defined Wide Area Network

Senior Software Engineers

RFQ type

DMP2 - ICT Labour Hire

RFQ ID

LH-04672

RFQ published date

Wednesday, 24 September 2025

Deadline for asking questions

Wednesday, 01 October 2025
• 11:59pm, Canberra time

RFQ closing date

Wednesday, 08 October 2025
• 11:59pm, Canberra time

Buyer

Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Buyer contact

Estimated start date

Monday, 03 November 2025

Initial contract duration

12-months

Extension term

12 months

Number of extensions

2

Maximum number of candidates per seller

2

Experience level

Senior - EL1 equivalent

Location of work

ACT

Working arrangements

Hybrid

Candidates must be available to work full time on-site in DFAT's Canberra office located in Allara Street. Work from home can be considered on an ad-hoc basis where approved. Remote/Interstate candidates will not be considered.

Maximum hours

40 hours per week

Security clearance

Must be able to obtain Negative Vetting Level 1

Job details

The Networks and Monitoring Section within the Cyber Security, Cloud and Networks Branch of DFAT's Information Management and Technology Division has a requirement for an ICT labour hire resource to fill the role of
Software Defined Wide Area Network (SD WAN) Engineer
.

Key duties and responsibilities

Job Specific role description

The SD WAN Engineer/s will be required to:

• Audit existing WAN architecture and Post connectivity.
• Define firewall placement strategies.
• Configure firewalls and SD WAN routing rules.
• Enable Centralised policy management.
• Validate policy enforcement and failover mechanisms.
• Integrate firewall capabilities into SD WAN devices.
• Implement network segmentation enhancements.
• Provide technical contributions to both network and gateway technologies, including (but not limited to) Juniper, Cisco, Trend Micro, F5, Clearswift, Fortigate, Zscaler, Runzero, DNS, DCHP, IPAM.
• Contribute to documentation.

The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) has been used to inform the requirements. In summary, DFAT seeks suitable candidates with the following relevant skillsets:

• Development and implementation - Systems development - Network design (NTDS) - Level 5
• Delivery and operation - Technology management - IT infrastructure (ITOP) - Level 4
• Delivery and operation - Technology management - Network support (NTAS) - Level 5
• Delivery and operation - Service management - Change control (CHMG) - Level 4

About the team

This role resides in the DFAT Networks and Monitoring section. The DFAT Networks and Monitoring section resides within the Information Management Division under the Cyber Security, Cloud and Networks Branch. Networks and Monitoring comprises of a combination of APS and contract technical resources working, predominantly in network and gateway technologies. The team supports both projects & operations.

Criteria

The buyer has specified that each candidate must provide a one page pitch to address all criteria specified. This is equal to 5000 characters.

Essential criteria

1.Minimum five years of experience designing, deploying and managing SD WAN solutions.

2.Hands on experience integrating enterprise grade firewalls into complex SD WAN environments.

3.Ability to articulate technical detail through detailed design and implementation plans.

4.Highly developed diagnostic and problem-solving skills.

5.Ability to work effectively as a team member.

6.Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Desirable criteria

1.A broad understanding of industry, whole of government direction, emerging technologies and how they can be applied to solve business problems.

2.Strong stakeholder management and client services skills.

3.A strong understanding of ASD Essential 8 and experience with contributing to security accreditation of ICT systems.

4.Experience in the day-to-day operations of highly secured networks and cryptography solutions.

Additional requirements

1.Seller to acknowledge that DFAT has a contractor stand-down period within December and January each year. Duration of the stand-down is at DFAT's discretion and usually for a period of 4-6 weeks.

2.Seller has received the candidate's express agreement to represent them for this opportunity.

3.Seller to declare if they intend to subcontract any part of the labour-hire services through a third party.

4.Seller to advise if their contractual employment agreement with their nominated candidate/s contains an enforceable restraint of trade (restriction) clause.

5.Seller to acknowledge that offered candidates must have an existing active security clearance at the minimum level of NV1. DFAT will not sponsor a new security clearance or NV1 upgrade for this role.