Senior Principal - Software Engineering - Sydney/Melbourne/Canberra

Slalom; Canberra; On-site; AUD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Slalom is seeking a Senior Principal - Software Engineering Architect (Hands-On Leadership) based in Sydney, Melbourne or Canberra. You will lead by example, architect, code, and guide delivery across discovery, design, and delivery with clients.

You will mentor engineers, partner with business stakeholders, design cloud-native systems on AWS, Azure or GCP, and drive modern engineering practices while delivering high-quality software.

Qualifications

• Significant depth and breadth in software architecture, hands-on development, and delivery of production systems.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, including people leadership and direct reports.
• Strong ability to engage senior business and technology stakeholders and translate needs into actionable technical solutions.
• A flexible collaboration style, adapting to different clients, teams, and delivery contexts.
• Hands-on coding experience with modern languages (JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, Java, Go, or Spring).
• Experience delivering cloud-based solutions on AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Solid understanding of Agile delivery methodologies and modern engineering practices.
• Experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2).
• Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs and distributed services.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example as a hands-on architect and engineer, remaining actively involved in solution design and key technical decisions.
• Partner with clients to understand business challenges and determine best-fit technology solutions.
• Own architecture and technical direction across discovery, design, and delivery phases.
• Mentor engineers with direct reports and support career growth and performance.
• Co-lead discovery and delivery phases with delivery managers and capability leaders.
• Shape capability opportunities with local market leaders and support pursuits.
• Act as a capability lead, applying Slalom Build’s engineering strategy.
• Collaborate with teams to right-size solutions and delivery approaches.
• Design, document, and build modern, high-quality applications with contemporary architectures.

Skills

Software architecture

Hands-on development

People leadership

Cloud architecture

RESTful APIs

Agile delivery

JavaScript

React

Node.js

Python

Java

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

PostgreSQL

MySQL

REST/API design

Job description

Slalom is a fiercely human business and technology consulting company that leads with outcomes to bring more value, in all ways, always. From strategy through delivery, our agile teams across 52 offices in 12 countries collaborate with clients to bring powerful customer experiences, innovative ways of working, and new products and services to life. We are trusted by leaders across the Global 1000, many successful enterprise and mid-market companies, and 500+ public sector organisations to improve operations, drive growth, and create value. At Slalom, we believe that together, we can move faster, dream bigger, and build better tomorrows for all.

Please note that this role requires being based in Sydney / Melbourne / Canberra and hold Australian Citizenship.

Senior Principal - Software Engineering Architect (Hands-On Leadership Role)

Slalom_build capability is Slalom’s technology powerhouse, dedicated to Engineering and Experience Design. It’s an inclusive space where people grow, innovate, and work with cutting-edge technologies and modern development practices. We embrace diversity of thought and background, fostering a culture that values creativity and collaboration. As a trusted partner, Slalom Build helps clients maximise the value of their software by delivering fast, high-quality, and consistent solutions. We combine strategic thinking with AI-driven tools to support end-to-end delivery at any scale. Our focus is not only on building great solutions, but also on empowering people and creating lasting impact.

What You Will Do

• Lead by example as a hands-on architect and engineer, remaining actively involved in solution design, coding, and technical decision-making.
• Partner with clients to understand business and technical challenges, providing clear guidance to determine best-fit technology solutions.
• Own architecture and technical direction across discovery, design, and delivery phases.
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineers with direct reports, supporting career growth, capability development, and performance.
• Co-lead discovery and delivery phases alongside delivery managers and other capability leaders.
• Work with local market leaders to shape capability-specific opportunities and support pursuits.
• Act as a capability lead, helping markets understand and apply Slalom Build’s engineering strategy.
• Collaborate with delivery managers and cross-functional teams to right-size solutions and delivery approaches.
• Design, document, and build modern, high-quality applications using contemporary architectures, patterns, and practices.
• Contribute to estimation, technical planning, and delivery governance.
• Lead and contribute to proofs-of-concept and innovation initiatives using emerging and cutting-edge technologies.

What You Will Bring

• Significant depth and breadth in software architecture, hands-on development, and delivery of production systems.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, including people leadership and direct reports.
• Strong ability to engage senior business and technology stakeholders and translate needs into actionable technical solutions.
• A flexible collaboration style, adapting effectively to different clients, teams, and delivery contexts.
• Recent, hands-on experience writing code using modern programming languages such as JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, Java, Go, or Spring.
• Strong experience designing and delivering cloud-based solutions on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Solid understanding of Agile delivery methodologies and modern engineering practices.
• Strong background in relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, or DB2.
• Practical experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs and distributed services.
• A passion for building high-quality software while growing and leading people.

Please note, candidates must hold Australian Citizenship and be located in Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne.

Our Values

Our culture and values reflect each individual Slalomer. We are dedicated to encouraging workplace diversity and ensuring all our people, from any background can contribute to their full potential. We wish to build a team that echoes the diversity of the communities we serve, and our values are an active part of our every-day, guiding our decisions.

What keeps us here?

When we moved to Australia in 2020, we had no idea just how important our work/life balance would need to be. We’ve asked our consultants what makes Slalom a great place to work and the most common answer – “the freedom to be ourselves when life gets in the way”. We make a big effort to bring everyone together and allow space when space is needed. We believe in helping each other thrive in work and life and are proud to invest in benefits that include holistic wellbeing, meaningful allowances, and investment in our team’s professional, technical, and personal growth.

Slalom is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Slalom does not discriminate on grounds of race, religion, or belief, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis as protected by applicable law.