OSS Engineering Team Leader

Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet) was established in 1989 and is widely regarded as the founder of the Internet in Australia and renowned as the architect, builder and operator of world-class network infrastructure for research and education. 

As Australia's National Research and Education Network (NREN). We connect over one million users — researchers, faculty, staff, students, hospitals, vocational training providers, schools and museums — across Australia.

We are an organisation of innovators, doers, and courageous thinkers. We don't settle for the status quo; instead, we anticipate the future needs of our customers and build solutions today. If you share our imagination, foresight, and drive to shape the future, why not come and join us?

AARNet is seeking an experienced leader to guide a team of talented software engineers to design, build, and deliver advanced applications that power our operational support systems (OSS). This role blends hands-on development with strategic senior leadership, making it ideal for a technically skilled leader passionate about open-source tooling, automation, and driving real-world impact across AARNet's expansive international research and education network.

We're looking for a driven and collaborative team leader who thrives in Agile environments, is comfortable navigating complex system domains, and brings a sharp focus on value delivery. You'll mentor developers, steer the team's architectural direction, and foster a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

Technical Leadership

• Lead a team of software developers delivering OSS solutions using a mix of open-source and commercial technologies
• Guide software architecture and design decisions across systems and integration points.
• Champion best practices in software development lifecycle (automation, CI/CD, DevOps, change control).
• Maintain oversight of code quality, reviews, documentation, and technical debt management.
• Coordinate and prioritise team tasks to align with business and operational goals.

Software Engineering

• Contribute hands-on to key coding efforts where needed, setting the benchmark for clean, efficient, and scalable code.
• Lead initiatives to migrate legacy functionality to modern platforms.
• Oversee system integration with OSS tools, network telemetry systems, and data pipelines.
• Promote innovation by staying updated with latest trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards, fostering trust and credibility with customers.

Team and Stakeholder Engagement

• Assist to facilitate Agile ceremonies and ensure clear communication of team progress and priorities.
• Mentor team members and support their growth across projects and technologies.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, vendors, and distributed teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Help shape team capability by identifying skill gaps and supporting recruitment and onboarding.

Integrations, API Management and System Maintenance

• Oversee integrations with various systems, utilizing APIs to ensure seamless data flow.
• Collaborate with IT and development teams to architect and implement effective integrations.
• Ensure monitoring, backups, and maintenance procedures are in place to guarantee system reliability.
• Develop and implement strategies to monitor and manage OSS technologies, guaranteeing their reliability and optimal functionality.
• Utilize monitoring tools and analytical techniques to gather real-time insights, identify emerging patterns, and proactively address potential issues, ensuring seamless operations and performance.

• Proven experience leading a software development team, preferably in OSS, NMS, or infrastructure-oriented environments.
• Strong hands-on experience in one or more popular programming languages (e.g., Python, Go, Java, Rust, C).
• Experience delivering containerised and orchestrated services using platforms like Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and integrate data-driven applications using APIs and formats like JSON, YAML, and XML.
• Proficiency with SQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL) and associated design patterns.
• Deep understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems (highly desirable).
• Solid grasp of IP networking concepts including OSI layers, SNMP, routing protocols (highly desirable).
• Familiarity with OSS network monitoring tools like Netbox, Netconf, Grafana, Icinga, and time-series databases (highly desirable).
• Strong written and oral communication skills are essential.
• Australian Resident or Citizen.

AARNet is committed to diversity and providing equal opportunity to all. We're a great place to work if you want to make a difference.

AARNet provides a host of other benefits in line with our HR policies which include:

·      Competitive remuneration;

· % superannuation; 

·      Flexible work options including a hybrid work model;

·      Focus on wellbeing – year-round initiatives and social engagement activities;

·      Ethical Leadership: A sector leader in cyber security, social responsibility, and equal opportunity;

·      Options to purchase additional Annual Leave; 

· days paid Women's Wellness Leave per month; 

· weeks paid Parental Leave – Primary Carer; 

·      Welcome back to AARNet superannuation payment – on unpaid Parental Leave for Primary Carer; 

· weeks paid Birth Trauma Leave; 

· weeks paid - Adoption Leave; 

· weeks paid Parental Leave – Secondary Carer; 

· days paid – First Nations Cultural Leave; 

· days paid Family Wedding Leave; 

· weeks paid – Foster Carer Leave; 

· days paid – Fertility Leave; 

· weeks paid – Gender Affirmation Leave; 

·      Strong Equal Opportunity focus;  

·      Modern office environment: Hotdesking system and new facilities;

·      Support your success: A culture and company structure that allows your career to grow with access to leading edge technologies;

·      An opportunity to give back to the academic and research sector.