Lead System Engineer

Whizdom; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ownership of core system architecture

High trust environment

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Whizdom is searching for a Senior Systems Engineer in Canberra to oversee the architecture and security of Linux-based platforms in secure environments. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in platform hardening, lifecycle management, and regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include setting security standards and leading incident responses. This role offers competitive remuneration and the chance to shape long-term platform goals in a high-trust environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in designing and securing Linux platforms.
• Proficient in platform hardening and configuration management.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Architect and manage Linux-based platforms in regulated environments.
• Set architectural and security standards for deployed systems.
• Lead incident response and root cause analysis for system failures.

Skills

Linux server environment design

Platform hardening

Security controls understanding

Scripting (Bash, Python)

Incident response

Job description

Our client supports mission‑critical technology platforms operating in highly regulated, security‑sensitive environments. The focus is on building resilient, defensible infrastructure foundations that enable secure application and platform services at scale.

This role sits at the core of the technology estate, setting architectural and security standards that underpin all deployed systems, including container platforms.

About the Role

This is a senior, foundational engineering role responsible for the architecture, security posture, and lifecycle management of Linux‑based platforms. You will act as the technical authority for system design, hardening, and operational readiness in on‑prem environments where reliability and compliance are non‑negotiable.

You will work in close partnership with a Lead Kubernetes Platform Engineer, ensuring the system layer provides a hardened, stable base for modern platform services. The role emphasises architecture, security, and operational governance, rather than application development.

The Successful Candidate

You are a seasoned systems engineer with deep experience designing and securing Linux platforms in regulated environments. You are comfortable setting standards, owning risk, and acting as a senior technical authority.

Key experience includes:

• Designing and operating secure Linux server environments
• Platform hardening, patching, backup, and configuration management
• Strong understanding of security controls and compliance frameworks
• Infrastructure lifecycle ownership (build, release, operate, decommission)
• Scripting and automation (Bash, Python or similar)
• Leading high‑severity incident response and root cause analysis
• Collaboration with identity, networking, and platform engineering teams
• Exposure to Windows / Active Directory or container platforms (beneficial but not essential)

What’s on offer?

• Ownership of core system architecture in a secure, mission‑critical environment
• Opportunity to shape long‑term platform standards and security posture
• High trust, high accountability senior engineering role
• Close collaboration with platform and infrastructure leadership
• Competitive remuneration aligned to seniority and security expertise