Principal Engineer

REA Group; City of Yarra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid/flexible working

Flexible leave options

Parental leave

Volunteer leave and community programs

Hackdays

Job summary

REA Group is seeking a Senior Platform Engineer for a permanent full-time role based in Richmond, Victoria. The role focuses on designing scalable platform solutions, prototyping, and guiding multiple squads through architectural decisions.

You will mentor engineers, partner with managers to align technical direction with product goals, and drive long-term system health across the Listings portfolio.

Qualifications

• Approximately 15 years of engineering experience in agile environments.
• Proficiency in Python, Scala, Java, or Kotlin.
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Deep understanding of platform architecture and mindset.
• Strong experience with modernization or transformation.
• Drive scalable, resilient platform solutions aligned with engineering goals.
• Proven experience influencing technical direction across squads and stakeholders.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with pragmatic delivery.

Responsibilities

• Designs solution architecture and system design for the Listings portfolio.
• Prototypes solutions and contributes to critical code, solving complex problems.
• Partners with Engineering Managers to align solutions with strategy and product goals.
• Influences multiple squads by guiding technical direction across leaders.
• Champions engineering best practices and long-term system health.
• Collaborates across squads to deliver high-quality, user-centric solutions.
• Engages in product discovery and early solution validation.
• Coaches and mentors engineers to grow technical leadership.

Skills

Python

Scala

Java

Kotlin

AWS

GCP

Azure

Platform architecture

Modernisation

Mentoring

Cross-functional leadership

Agile methodologies

Job description

Permanent full‑time role based in Richmond

We’re looking for a senior platform engineer to tackle complex, meaningful technical challenges at scale in an environment where quality engineering is highly valued.

About REA

With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you’re at on your property journey, we’re here to help with every step – whether that’s finding or financing your next home. Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do is a thriving culture centered around high performance and care. We are purpose‑driven, collaborative, and have been named one of Australia’s “Top 5” Best Workplaces two years in a row, as well as a Best Workplace for Women.

What The Role Is All About

• Contribute to designing solution architecture and system design across the Listings portfolio, guiding the technical direction for a broad and business‑critical area.
• Stay hands‑on by prototyping solutions, contributing to critical code, and helping teams solve complex engineering problems using agile software development practices.
• Partner closely with Engineering Managers to ensure technical solutions are delivered in line with strategy, architectural principles, and product goals.
• Influence the direction of multiple squads by aligning technical strategy across Engineering Managers and Senior Engineering Managers, guiding work across 3 teams.
• Champion strong engineering practices, high‑quality solution design, and long‑term system health.
• Work across squad boundaries to design high‑quality, user‑centric solutions and bring clarity to complex cross‑team engineering challenges.
• Engage in product discovery and early solution validation, helping shape the right technical approach before delivery begins.
• Coach and mentor experienced engineers, helping grow the next generation of technical leaders across Listings.
• Contribute to a connected engineering community through knowledge‑sharing, collaboration, and thought leadership across REA.

Who We’re Looking For

• Approximately 15 years of experience in engineering or related fields, ideally in a dynamic, agile environment.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Scala, Java, or Kotlin.
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Deep understanding of platform architecture and mindset.
• Strong experience with modernization or transformation.
• Drive scalable, resilient, and maintainable platform solutions aligned with business and engineering goals.
• Proven experience influencing technical direction across squads, engineering leaders, architects, and product stakeholders.
• Ability to balance long‑term strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery outcomes.
• Background in mentoring teams or leading cross‑functional technical projects.
• Experience guiding platform evolution, system modernisation, operational excellence, and engineering best practices is desirable.
• Experience in operations and support of critical systems is beneficial.

Some Of Our Perks & Benefits Include

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working
• Flexible leave options including birthday leave and purchase additional leave
• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
• Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and the Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you have the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.