Lead Developer – Backend / API

BLACKROC Recruitment; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

BLACKROC Recruitment seeks an experienced EL2 Lead Developer to provide technical leadership for enterprise-scale digital platforms and APIs within a Federal Government environment. The role focuses on backend and API layers, connecting digital channels with enterprise systems such as Salesforce and MuleSoft.

You will drive modern engineering practices including AI-assisted development, automated testing, cloud-native architectures, CI/CD and platform automation, while mentoring backend teams

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading design, development and delivery of enterprise-scale backend services.
• Experience in API platforms and integration solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development and evolution of backend services and consumer API platforms.
• Define and maintain API architecture, standards and engineering practices (Golang, GraphQL).
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to backend developers.
• Collaborate with Salesforce, MuleSoft, frontend and platform teams to deliver integrated digital solutions.
• Drive AI-assisted development, automated testing, CI/CD, observability and platform automation.
• Ensure reliable, secure and scalable services across AWS, Kubernetes and Cloudflare environments.
• Support architecture reviews, governance and technology decision-making.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable and aligned with long-term architecture goals.

Skills

Technical leadership

Backend development

API design

Golang

GraphQL

AWS

Kubernetes

Cloudflare

Salesforce integration

MuleSoft integration

CI/CD

AI-assisted development

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

Cloudflare

Salesforce

MuleSoft

GraphQL

Job description

• Initial 12 month contract + 12 month extension option
• QLD, NSW, VIC or ACT + Hybrid working options
• Australian Citizenship is essential

We are seeking an experienced EL2 Lead Developer to provide technical leadership across the design, development and operation of enterprise-scale digital platforms and APIs within a Federal Government environment.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on the backend and API layer that supports web applications, portals and mobile applications. You will lead the evolution of a modern API platform connecting digital channels with enterprise systems, including Salesforce and MuleSoft-based integrations.

The role will also play an important part in adopting modern engineering practices, including AI-assisted development, automated testing, cloud-native architectures, CI/CD and platform automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and evolution of enterprise-scale backend services and consumer API platforms.
• Define and maintain API architecture, technical standards and engineering practices using technologies including Golang and GraphQL.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to backend developers.
• Work closely with Salesforce, MuleSoft, frontend and platform engineering teams to deliver integrated digital solutions.
• Drive modern software engineering practices, including AI-assisted development, automated testing, CI/CD, observability and platform automation.
• Contribute to the reliability, security and operational performance of services running across AWS, Kubernetes and Cloudflare environments.
• Support architecture reviews, technical governance and technology decision‑making.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, maintainable and aligned with longer-term architecture objectives.
• Proven experience leading the design, development and delivery of enterprise-scale backend services, API platforms and integration solutions.
• Strong technical expertise across Golang, GraphQL, API architecture, authentication and authorisation, service-to-service communication and modern integration patterns.
• Experience designing and operating cloud-native applications using Kubernetes and AWS, including Amazon EKS.
• Strong understanding of engineering standards, code review, automated testing, CI/CD and software delivery governance.
• Experience using AI-assisted software engineering tools to improve development efficiency and quality while maintaining strong engineering oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop engineering teams.
• Strong stakeholder and collaboration skills, with experience working across architecture, integration, Salesforce, delivery and business teams.
• Consumer-facing API platforms supporting multiple digital channels, including web, portal and mobile applications.
• Cloudflare, including Zero Trust, Access, Tunnels and edge security capabilities.
• Integration architectures involving Salesforce, MuleSoft or comparable enterprise platforms.
• Technology delivery within Federal Government, regulated or highly governed environments.

This role will be offered as an initial 12 month contract with opportunity to extend.

Please note: Australian Citizenship is mandatory for this role (current Baseline or NV1 preferred).