EL1 Technical Lead

Location:
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Employment status:
Ongoing
Hours:
Full-time
APS classification:
Executive Level 1
Applications close:
AEST

About the position

The Business Applications Technical Lead is a key role within Technology Services, responsible for leading the development and support of custom applications for AFSA. The role involves full stack development, guiding software design and deployment decisions, and maintaining production capabilities through pipeline automation.

It requires active user engagement to address issues and deliver new features, while also fostering team growth through mentoring, code reviews, and project management practices. The Technical Lead contributes to the broader technical community and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders.

As the Technical Lead, you’ll bring a deep understanding of full stack development environments and demonstrate best practice in code quality, performance and security. Your ability to work independently, develop and document complex applications, and engage effectively with users and stakeholders will be key to your success in this role.

You’ll also guide and mentor a small development team, allocate work, set priorities and drive strategic outcomes and your collaborative approach and ability to lead with minimal direction will support the team in achieving high-quality deliverables.

Key accountabilities

  • Drive technical delivery for the agency’s applications effectively within a complex technical environment.
  • Undertake full stack applications development throughout the design, planning, implementation and deployment lifecycle.
  • Mentor and guide technical staff to grow AFSA’s technical capabilities and expertise.
  • Engage stakeholders, peers and users to define, and respond to requirements.
  • Actively contribute to technical strategy, policy and procedures.
  • Apply technical skills in an innovative, proactive and experienced way to solve complex problems.

Qualifications and experience

Mandatory

We’re looking for a candidate with demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and supporting high performance, scalable applications using Spring Boot or J2EE on Linux platforms, within agile and lean delivery environments. You’ll have a strong background in Java and be proficient in modern application frameworks such as Spring Boot 3 and Spring 6, as well as service-oriented architecture and web services including SOAP and REST.

Your technical toolkit will include web technologies like Bootstrap, Thymeleaf, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and JQuery, along with build tools such as Maven and development environments like IntelliJ. You’ll also be confident in automated testing practices, using tools like JUnit or TestNG, and applying effective unit testing strategies. Experience with source control tools such as GitHub is essential.

Desirable

  • Relevant industry experience
  • Well versed in:
  • React.js
  • ECMAScript 6
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8
  • Continuous integration tools like Jenkins
  • Source code quality analysis tools such as SonarQube
  • SQL database tools like SQL Developer, Oracle database, Toad
  • Apache Kafka
  • Story, bug tracking and documentation tools such as JIRA and Confluence
  • Ability to cross skill in other technologies, such as Oracle ADF (legacy software scheduled for redevelopment in Java)
  • A relevant degree in ICT or relevant qualifications will be highly regarded, but not mandatory.

All duties will be performed in accordance with: 

  • the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles
  • WHS obligations, taking responsibility for own health and safety and that of others
  • AFSA’s risk management framework and relevant legislation, including guiding others to identify and mitigate foreseeable risks. 

Why AFSA?

You will enjoy excellent conditions including:

  • Generous superannuation (15.4%)
  • A modern work environment
  • Access to Employee Assistance Provider
  • Flexibility to balance work and personal life (including working from home arrangements and flexible start and finish times where applicable).

We are a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential. We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability. At AFSA we encourage every employee balance their family commitments and personal interests with flexible working options.

Eligibility

Please note that this opportunity is open only to Australian Citizens. The successful applicant must have or be willing to undergo a security clearance to the level of Baseline as a condition of employment. To satisfy character requirements all AFSA employees must undergo a police records check.

Where a person has received a redundancy benefit from APS agency employment and their corresponding redundancy benefit period has not expired, they may be ineligible for employment. We encourage applications from peoples from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability.

How to apply

Applications close Thursday 23 October 2025 at 11:59 PM AEDT.

Applications for this vacancy are submitted online through the AFSA careers portal. Further instructions on how to apply can be found on the advertisement webpage.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.

For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

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