Director of Software Solutions

Droneshield; Sydney; On-site; AUD 220,000 - 340,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Flexible work

High-impact role

Leadership development

Job summary

DroneShield seeks an experienced Director of Software Solutions to lead the software and ML/AI engineering teams, delivering scalable, secure applications for its AI-driven platforms, including DroneSentry‑C2. You will report to the CTO and drive cross-functional collaboration across technology groups in a fast-growth, high-stakes environment.

The role focuses on strategy, architecture, delivery excellence, and people leadership to ensure mission-critical capabilities are built and deployed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• 10+ years software engineering experience with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Experience delivering complex software products in fast-paced, engineering-led environments.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with distributed systems, cloud, web apps, Linux, high-availability, security-focused software, ML applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead Software Development and ML/AI teams aligned with the Technology roadmap.
• Manage ~7 engineering leaders and ~40 software/AI engineers.
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders and teams for accountability and improvement.
• Drive scalable, reliable software meeting customer and business needs.
• Collaborate with Program Management, Design, Embedded Systems, Data, and Infrastructure teams.
• Establish best practices across architecture, QA, release management, and support.
• Oversee planning, prioritisation and resource allocation for key programs.
• Champion agile, continuous improvement to maximize effectiveness.
• Support recruitment and professional development across engineering.
• Provide updates to CTO and leadership on delivery and risks.

Skills

People leadership

Distributed systems

Cloud platforms

Machine learning

Security-focused software

Software architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Linux environments

Web application development

Cloud platforms

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Work withcutting-edgeAI technology that helps make the world a safer and more secure place. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) develops market-leading counter-drone solutions used by militaryorganisations, government agencies, airports, critical infrastructure operators, and law enforcementoperatingin some of the most challenging and high-stakes environments in the world. Employees work at the forefront of innovation, solving complex technical problems and delivering mission-critical capabilities where performance, reliability, and speed matter.

As an ASX200-listed company and theworld'sonly publicly listed pure-play counter-drone business, DroneShield is experiencing rapid growth. Revenue increased from A$57 million in 2024 to more than A$217 million in 2025, supported by record profitability, a global sales pipeline exceeding A$2.5 billion, and annual R&D investment of over A$50 million.

Since 2017, DroneShield has grown from 11 employees to more than 550 globally, with operations across Australia, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, supporting customers in over 70 countries.

The role is based at DroneShield's Sydney headquarters, which houses corporate, commercial, engineering, and operational teams supporting the company's global growth and customer base.

About the role

DroneShield is seeking an experienced Director of Software Solutions to lead the engineering teams responsible for the company's software platforms and AI-driven capabilities.

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, this role will provide leadership across Software Development and ML/AI, ensuring the successful delivery of scalable, secure and mission‑critical applications that support DroneShield's rapidly growing product portfolio.

A key focus of the role is the continued development of DroneSentry-C2, DroneShield's command and control platform. The platform aggregates data from multiple sensor systems and presents actionable information to operators in real time. Key technical challenges include distributed systems, air‑gapped environments, high‑volume data processing, cloud infrastructure and machine learning‑enabled services.

Responsibilities, Duties and Expectations

• Lead Software Development and ML/AI (Data Science) teams in delivering engineering programs aligned with the Technology roadmap
• Manage a team of approximately 7 engineering leaders and managers, with overall responsibility for an engineering organisation of around 40 software and AI engineers
• Lead, mentor and develop high‑performing engineering leaders and teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Drive the delivery of scalable, reliable and high‑performance software solutions that meet customer and business requirements
• Partner closely with Program Management, Design, Embedded Systems, Systems Engineering, Data and Infrastructure teams to deliver integrated product capabilities
• Establish and maintain best practices across software architecture, development, quality assurance, release management and operational support
• Oversee engineering planning, prioritisation and resource allocation to ensure successful execution of key programs
• Champion agile ways of working and continuous improvement initiatives to maximise engineering effectiveness
• Support recruitment, onboarding, succession planning and professional development across the engineering organisation
• Provide regular updates to the CTO and executive leadership on engineering delivery, resource requirements and key technical risks.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of software engineering experience, including at least 5 years leading engineering teams and managers
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex software products in fast‑paced, engineering‑led environments
• Strong people leadership skills, with experience scaling engineering organisations
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working with several of the following: distributed systems, cloud platforms, web application development, Linux environments, high‑availability systems, security‑focused software, machine learning applications or large‑scale software platforms
• Experience balancing technical excellence with pragmatic delivery outcomes
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a rapidly growing business
• Defence, security or mission‑critical technology experience is highly regarded

What We Offer

• Competitive salary package with equity component
• Flexible working arrangements
• High‑impact role in a rapidly scaling global business
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development

Data Privacy

DroneShield Group Pty Ltd collects and processes personal information for recruitment and hiring purposes. Where applicable, personal information is processed on the basis of DroneShield's legitimate interests in assessing and selecting candidates for employment. For further information regarding how we collect, use, disclose, store and retain personal information, including your privacy rights, please refer to our Privacy Policy:https://www.droneshield.com/privacy-policy