Software Engineer - 9 months

Leidos Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Australia is seeking a Software Engineer to join our Defence ICT team on a 9-month maximum-term contract. You will support design, development, and integration of software within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to delivery from build through deployment and handover.

Under guidance of senior engineers, you will deliver software capability across a system uplift, including application development, integration, testing and operational readiness.

Qualifications

• Foundational experience in software development.
• Experience with Java, Python or C++ and related tooling.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle and testing concepts.
• Willingness to learn and work within governed delivery environments.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software components aligned to system requirements and architecture
• Support implementation of core services including data processing, synchronisation and system functionality
• Assist with system integration across software, infrastructure and networking components
• Contribute to verification and validation activities, including testing and defect resolution
• Support fault finding and remediation activities to ensure system quality
• Assist in developing and maintaining technical documentation
• Work collaboratively with engineers, architects and project teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Support transition of software components into operational environments

Skills

Software development

Java

Python

C++

SDLC understanding

Problem solving

Communication

Job description

About Leidos Australia

At Leidos Australia, our work goes beyond a job title. We design, build, operate and support the systems, services and capabilities that help protect and advance the Australian way of life.

Backed by a global organisation of more than 40,000 people

Our Australian team of around 2,000 has partnered with government, defence and national security customers for more than 30 years. We deliver mission-critical solutions where reliability, trust and purpose matter.

Benefits

Leidos is a destination for people who want their work to have purpose, their contribution to be recognised, and their career to grow without needing to fit a single mould. Meaningful work is supported by benefits, flexibility and career pathways that help you grow while balancing life outside work. This includes:

• Flex Your Way – Tailor work to your life with options including Life Days (up to 12 extra days off per year), part-time arrangements, job sharing, and compressed hours.
• Wellbeing That Matters – Free access to Headspace and MeQuilibrium, plus dedicated wellness spaces to support your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
• Learn Without Limits – Access over 120,000 on-demand courses, alongside technical, project management, leadership, and professional development opportunities.
• Work That Makes an Impact – Contribute to nationally significant projects that matter, solve complex challenges, and accelerate your career through unique growth opportunities.
• Build Your Future – Whether you're deepening technical expertise or preparing for leadership, we'll invest in your development every step of the way.
• And Much More – These are just a few of the ways we invest in our people and help them thrive.

About The Team

Our GEOSPACES team is instrumental in developing and maintaining innovative technologies that tackle evolving challenges within the intelligence community. Additionally, these roles will focus on designing, integrating, and validating complex tenant environments tailored to specific use cases, supporting critical customer objectives.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Software Engineer to join our Defence ICT team on a 9-month maximum-term contract, with the potential for extension. In this role, you will support the design, development, and integration of software within a multidisciplinary team. Working under the guidance of senior engineers and architects, you will contribute to the delivery of complex systems from build through to deployment and handover.

You will play a key role in delivering software capability across a system uplift, contributing to application development, integration, testing and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software components aligned to system requirements and architecture
• Support implementation of core services including data processing, synchronisation and system functionality
• Assist with system integration across software, infrastructure and networking components
• Contribute to verification and validation activities, including testing and defect resolution
• Support fault finding and remediation activities to ensure system quality
• Assist in developing and maintaining technical documentation
• Work collaboratively with engineers, architects and project teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Support transition of software components into operational environments

About You

Essential for this role:

• Foundational experience in software development (professional, academic or project-based)
• Knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Python, C++ or similar
• Understanding of software development lifecycle and testing concepts
• Willingness to learn and work within structured, governed delivery environments
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Effective communication and teamwork skills

Advantageous, but not essential:

• Exposure to Defence, government or regulated environments
• Experience with data processing, integration or distributed systems
• Familiarity with version control, CI/CD pipelines or DevOps practices
• Interest or exposure to geospatial or mission systems

This role requires the successful applicant to be an Australian citizen and hold, or be eligible to obtain NV2 security clearance and be successful for DISA.

What To Expect When You Apply

• An initial conversation with our Talent Acquisition team
• An interview with the hiring manager or interview panel
• Any role-specific assessment, technical discussion or customer step required for the position

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.