Lead Technology Architect

Application closing date: Monday, 9 November 2026 • 11:59pm, Canberra time

Estimated start date: Friday, 01 January 2027

Location of work: SA

Working arrangements:Full-time onsite for the first 2 weeks. A hybrid WFH arrangement, usually a minimum of 2 days per week onsite, will be considered from the location of their capital city.

Length of contract: 12 months

Contract extensions: Up to a maximum of 24 months

Security clearance: Must have an active Baseline clearance

Rates: $140 - $160 per hour (inc. super)

Services Australia is at the frontline of government service delivery, supporting millions of Australians, and is front and centre of a vision to be a world leader in government service delivery. It’s using cutting-edge technology to build world class platforms and capabilities to help Australians get on with their lives.

The Lead Technology Architect will determine the appropriate technologies to be used in the service development and delivery environment. They will monitor emerging technologies and plan technology exploration, implementation and retirement.

They will be required to translate business and functional requirements into secure, integrated ICT solutions and strategic technology roadmaps. They set domain standards and governance, lead end-to-end solution design and implementation, resolve architectural exceptions, and provide operational guidance. Working with substantial autonomy, they use sound judgement to drive innovation, lead change, support the agency’s strategic direction and, where required, contribute in team discussions.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Translate business and ICT requirements into conceptual, logical and end-to-end solution architectures aligned with strategic and operational priorities
• Consider industry standards and emerging technologies, assess capability gaps and recommend solution options that inform technology strategy and direction.
• Lead solution analysis, integrate stakeholder input and develop architecture artefacts, options and recommendations that support executive decision-making.
• Provide technical advice, coordinate architecture activities and identify, communicate and resolve complex issues and risks.
• Build and maintain relationships, communicate effectively with diverse audiences and negotiate outcomes with internal and external stakeholders.
• Think strategically, identify interdependencies and exercise sound judgement in ambiguous environments to develop long-term plans and deliver quality outcomes in complex environments.
• Promote innovation, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing to strengthen architecture capability across the agency.
• Share knowledge and build capability across the team and key APS personnel.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• Knowledge of technology domain frameworks, legislation, policies and procedures
• Understanding of relevant business systems and tools
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Professional presentation skills

Technical skills required:

• Enterprise, solution, infrastructure, platform and operational architecture within large, complex and highly regulated environments.
• Contemporary cloud, on-premises and hybrid infrastructure architectures, including platform, compute, storage, network and hosting services.
• Architecture modelling, documentation and governance tools used to develop and maintain high-quality technology and infrastructure artefacts.

Essential criteria

1. Demonstrated ability to analyse complex business issues within the technology and infrastructure domain; deliver pragmatic, risk-based recommendations; influence stakeholders; collaborate across multidisciplinary teams; and transfer knowledge to APS personnel.

Desirable criteria

1. Sound knowledge of architecture principles and end-to-end solution design, with the ability to consider technology and infrastructure implications across relevant domains.
2. Demonstrated experience across infrastructure domains, including on-premises and hybrid platforms, networks, compute, storage, operating systems, virtualisation, and identity and access management.
3. Proven ability to design secure, scalable, resilient and cost-effective solutions that meet performance, availability and operational requirements while aligning with enterprise standards.
4. Demonstrated ability to analyse business and technical requirements, identify dependencies, constraints and capability gaps, evaluate technology options, and produce architectural artefacts that support informed decisions and successful delivery.
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience clearly presenting architectural advice and recommendations to senior stakeholders, governance bodies and executive forums.

HOW TO APPLY

Please provide an updated CV (a maximum of 3-5 pages) to reflect your suitability to the role based on the job description. You will also need to complete responses to the essential and desirable criteria which is no more than 5000 characters for each response. Your application will be reviewed based on ability to demonstrate, or potential to develop, the capabilities required.