Lead Microservices & AI Technical Architect

KJR; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

KJR in Canberra is seeking a senior technical leader to blend architecture governance with hands-on engineering, establishing modern microservices and AI-enabled practices across the software delivery lifecycle.

The role combines architecture, leadership and practical engineering to drive cloud-native platforms, security and modernisation, working with senior stakeholders and delivery partners.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing, implementing and governing cloud-native microservices and event-driven architectures.
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Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and architectural authority across cloud-native, microservices, event-driven and AI-enabled platforms

Skills

cloud-native microservices

event-driven architectures

AI engineering

GenAI / LLMs

Azure

DevSecOps

CI/CD

security-by-design

stakeholder leadership

Tools

AKS/Kubernetes

Azure Monitor

OpenTelemetry

OpenAPI

API Management

Dynamics 365

Dataverse

GitOps

SRE

Job description

Duration: 12 months contract with a possible extension

Location: Canberra preferred; interstate candidates may be considered with occasional travel to Canberra

Security: Must be Australian Citizens who are able to obtain a Baseline security clearance; an existing Baseline clearance is not mandatory.

This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for someone who can combine architecture and technical governance with practical hands-on engineering. You will help establish modern microservices and event-driven architecture foundations while driving the adoption of AI-enabled engineering practices across the software delivery lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and architectural authority across cloud-native, microservices, event-driven and AI-enabled platforms
• Define and establish reusable microservices and event-driven architecture patterns
• Lead the adoption and operationalisation of GenAI, LLM and AI-enabled engineering capabilities
• Establish modern engineering practices across DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, observability and platform engineering
• Drive cloud and application modernisation, including containerisation and enterprise system integration
• Provide sufficient hands-on engineering to establish patterns, validate technical approaches and develop priority enhancements
• Provide technical direction and governance across internal engineering teams and delivery partners
• Build internal capability through knowledge transfer, technical mentoring and engineering governance
• Work with senior stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into practical technology outcomes

The role deliberately combines architecture, technical leadership, governance and hands-on engineering rather than being a purely advisory architecture position.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience designing, implementing and governing cloud-native microservices and event-driven architectures
• Strong experience delivering scalable, resilient and secure enterprise platforms
• Demonstrated AI engineering experience, including enterprise AI solution development, deployment and operationalisation
• Experience with GenAI / Large Language Models (LLMs), semantic search and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Strong Microsoft Azure architecture and engineering experience
• Strong software and platform engineering background
• Hands-on experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing and observability
• Experience leading major enterprise technology modernisation/transformation programs
• Strong understanding of security-by-design and responsible AI practices
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction and influence enterprise architecture decisions
• Strong stakeholder engagement and leadership experience across multidisciplinary teams, delivery partners and senior executives

Highly Desirable

Experience with the following would be highly regarded:

.NET | Azure Service Bus | Event Hubs | Azure SQL | API Management | OpenAPI | AKS/Kubernetes | Azure Monitor | OpenTelemetry | Microsoft AI Services | Dynamics 365 | Dataverse | GitOps | SRE

Why Join KJR?

At KJR, we help organisations deliver quality technology solutions through testing, quality engineering, data, AI, and advisory services. You will join a collaborative team that values curiosity, continuous learning, and delivering meaningful outcomes for our clients.

Who Are We?

We kicked off in a Gold Coast garage back in 1997, and today KJR has grown into a national technology consultancy with offices across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, and the Gold Coast.

For almost three decades, we've helped organisations deliver better outcomes through quality engineering, software testing, AI, data, and technology advisory services. We work with industries that matter - Government, Defence, Healthcare, Transport, Utilities, Financial Services, and more.

Our people - The Collective - are at the heart of everything we do. We invest heavily in career growth, leadership development, learning opportunities, recognition programs, and our annual Co-op Conference on the Gold Coast (which is every bit as fun as it sounds).

We're proud to be:

• A winner of the AIIA Diversity & Inclusion Award
• Recognised as a Great Place to Work Certified workplace
• Named one of Australia's Best Workplaces in Technology
• Champions of diversity, inclusion, and gender equality
• Passionate about using technology to create positive social and community impact.

At KJR, we believe technology should make the world better - whether that's improving healthcare outcomes, enhancing public services, protecting communities, or helping organisations innovate with confidence.

Want to know more about us?

Visit KJR Website: https://kjr.com.au