Systems Programming Specialist

IAG Defence and National Security; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

IAG Defence & National Security DNS is seeking an experienced Systems Programming Specialist to build and operate a high-performance supercomputing capability. You’ll deliver base image artefacts, automation tooling and cluster management while staying within strict security boundaries.

You’ll collaborate with researchers and infrastructure teams to empower self-management and secure administration, following DevSecOps practices and industry standards.

Qualifications

• Current NV2 security clearance.
• Systems programming experience in Linux environments.
• Deep knowledge of Linux internals, OS imaging, provisioning and configuration (Kickstart, cloud-init, PXE, Packer or similar).
• Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for system images and automation workflows.
• Competence with configuration-as-code and infrastructure automation tools (e.g. Ansible).
• Familiarity with HPC stack components, schedulers like Slurm or PBS.
• Familiarity with high-performance networking (InfiniBand/RDMA).
• Strong understanding of identity and access management and RBAC (e.g. LDAP/AD/FreeIPA/IDM).
• Experience with Kubernetes.
• Ability to remain compliant with Australian Government and Defence information management requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver highly complex base image artefacts meeting design, security and performance requirements.
• Apply modern DevSecOps methodologies to continuously improve the capability.
• Develop automation tools, configuration templates and associated documentation for a reliable, scalable and reproducible capability.
• Deliver tooling to support user and storage management, cluster management, health monitoring, metrics reporting and security monitoring.
• Develop and maintain tools for researchers to self-manage their projects.
• Develop and maintain testing and deployment pipelines.
• Containerise services.
• Develop Role Based Access Control (RBAC) and Host Based Access Control (HBAC) schemes.
• Develop disk and filesystem management tools.
• Work closely with the infrastructure team to build tooling for effective, secure system administration.

Skills

Linux systems

Linux internals

CI/CD pipelines

Ansible

Kubernetes

RBAC

HBAC

Security compliance

Tools

Kickstart

cloud-init

PXE

Packer

Job description

Victoria Based | Requires a current AGSVA NV2 Clearance

About Us

IAG Defence & National Security (DNS) is part of IAG, a specialist advisory firm supporting complex infrastructure, Defence and national security programs across Australia. Our DNS team works closely with Commonwealth agencies and industry partners to deliver specialist expertise into nationally significant programs. Our success depends on our ability to identify, engage and mobilise highly specialised talent quickly and effectively. IAG is recognised as a Veteran Friendly Employer under the Veteran Employment Program.

The Role

We're looking for an experienced Systems Programming Specialist to help build and operate a high-performance supercomputing capability. This is a genuinely hands-on infrastructure role — you'll deliver base image artefacts, automation tooling and cluster management capability that meets demanding design, security and performance requirements.

You'll work proactively with stakeholders from across the research community, helping researchers self-manage their projects, while working closely with an infrastructure team to build tooling that allows the system to be administered effectively and securely. Given the nature of the systems involved, you'll remain within strict security boundaries, supporting all standard operating processes and security instructions.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver highly complex base image artefacts meeting design, security and performance requirements
• Apply modern DevSecOps methodologies to continuously improve the capability
• Develop automation tools, configuration templates and associated documentation for a reliable, scalable and reproducible capability
• Deliver tooling to support user and storage management, cluster management, health monitoring, metrics reporting and security monitoring
• Develop and maintain tools for researchers to self-manage their projects
• Develop and maintain testing and deployment pipelines
• Containerise services
• Develop Role Based Access Control (RBAC) and Host Based Access Control (HBAC) schemes
• Develop disk and filesystem management tools
• Work closely with the infrastructure team to build tooling for effective, secure system administration

Required

• Current NV2 security clearance
• Systems programming experience in Linux environments
• Deep knowledge of Linux internals, OS imaging, provisioning and configuration (e.g. Kickstart, cloud-init, PXE, Packer or similar)
• Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines for system images and automation workflows
• Competence with configuration-as-code and infrastructure automation tools (e.g. Ansible)
• Familiarity with HPC stack components, such as schedulers like Slurm or PBS
• Familiarity with high-performance networking (InfiniBand/RDMA)
• Strong understanding of identity and access management and RBAC (e.g. LDAP/AD/FreeIPA/IDM)
• Experience with Kubernetes
• Ability to remain compliant with Australian Government and Defence information management requirements

Salary

Up to $150,000 (Package incl. Super)

Engagement Details

• Onsite at least 4 days per week

What We Offer

With offices in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, we're a tight-knit team working across some of Australia's most critical Defence and national security programs. We value expertise, collaboration and flexibility, providing our people with opportunities to contribute to meaningful and technically challenging projects.

We can offer great work, great people, great culture, great conditions, and an all-round great time whilst you continue building a rewarding career in the Defence and national security sector. As part of IAG, you'll be joining a team of more than 250 professionals.

Most opportunities advertised by IAG Defence & National Security are subject to client approval, security validation and contractual confirmation. Employment or engagement will only be offered following successful client acceptance and completion of all required pre-engagement checks and onboarding activities.

Please Note

As this role may support a Defence program, a Defence employment moratorium period may apply to current or recently separated ADF/APS personnel seeking to move into industry roles. If you are currently serving or have recently left Defence, we'd recommend confirming your eligibility to apply before submitting.