Principal Developer

Role/s: 1 x EL2 Lead Developer The EL2 Lead Developer (Labour Hire) is responsible for leading the design, development and operation of the digital platform services and consumer APIs that power the NDIA's web applications, portals and mobile applications. The Lead Backend API Developer will provide technical leadership for the API platform that connects digital channels with enterprise systems, including Salesforce and MuleSoft-based integrations, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, reliable and aligned with long-term architecture objectives. Working closely with architects, frontend development teams, platform engineers, Salesforce teams and integration specialists, the successful candidate will establish engineering standards, guide technical decision-making and mentor developers while remaining actively involved in solution delivery. The role will also drive the adoption of modern engineering practices, including AI-assisted software development, automated testing, cloud-native architectures and continuous delivery approaches. Supplier Briefing: A supplier briefing will be held for this role on Thursday 10 September – meeting details will be posted in the “Q&A” section of the RFQ for invited Sellers only. Rate: The proposed rate should reflect candidate's skills and experience against the Evaluation Criteria. Candidates that do not demonstrate these criteria will not be assessed. Candidates should be aware that rates may be negotiated further as part of the selection process. Citizenship: As part of the eligibility and suitability requirement, NDIA seeks Labour Hire Workers who are Australian citizens only. Successful candidates will be required to furnish valid evidence of citizenship during the Pre-engagement Check. Labour Hire Licence: Applicable for ACT, VIC and QLD: Labour hire licences are required in the state that specified personnel are being contracted. Key duties and responsibilities Lead the design, development and evolution of the NDIA's consumer API platform, supporting web applications, portals and mobile applications. Define and maintain technical architecture, API standards and engineering practices for backend services developed using modern frameworks such as Golang, GraphQL and cloud-native technologies. Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to backend developers, supporting high-quality engineering outcomes and continuous capability uplift. Collaborate closely with Salesforce, MuleSoft, frontend and platform engineering teams to deliver integrated end-to-end digital solutions. Drive the adoption of modern software engineering practices, including AI-assisted development, automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, observability and platform automation. Contribute to platform reliability, security and operational excellence across AWS, Kubernetes and Cloudflare-based environments. Support technical governance activities, architecture reviews and technology decision-making to ensure solutions remain maintainable, secure and scalable over the long term.   (NOTE: the key responsibilities of the role are based on current priorities and may change over time) Criteria The buyer has specified that each candidate must provide a response to each criterion. Each response is limited to 3000 characters. Essential criteria 1. Demonstrated experience leading the design, development and delivery of enterprise-scale backend services, API platforms and integration solutions. 2. Strong technical expertise in Golang, GraphQL, API architecture, authentication and authorisation patterns, service-to-service communication and modern integration approaches. 3. Demonstrated experience designing and operating cloud-native applications using Kubernetes, AWS services including Amazon EKS, and contemporary platform engineering practices. 4. Experience establishing engineering standards, code review practices, automated testing approaches, CI/CD pipelines and software delivery governance. 5. Demonstrated experience leveraging contemporary AI-assisted software engineering tools to accelerate delivery, improve quality and support modern development practices while maintaining strong engineering oversight and accountability. 6. Proven ability to lead, mentor and uplift engineering teams while working effectively with architects, integration teams, Salesforce teams, delivery leads and business stakeholders. Desirable criteria 1. Experience designing and operating consumer-facing API platforms that support multiple digital channels, including web, portal and mobile applications. 2. Experience implementing and supporting Cloudflare technologies, including Zero Trust, Access, Tunnels and edge security capabilities. 3. Experience designing integration architectures involving Salesforce, MuleSoft or comparable enterprise platforms. 4. Experience working within government, regulated or highly governed technology environments. Opportunity summary Sellers can submit Up to 2 candidates Number of sellers invited More than 10 Number of candidates submitted Between 11 and 20 Send us feedback About Accessibility Privacy Terms of use Disclaimer and copyright An initiative of the Digital Transformation Agency The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia