Senior Software Engineer | Machine Learning

ABOUT THE ABC

The ABC is the nation's most trusted and independent source of Australian conversations, culture, and stories. With over 4,000 employees from diverse backgrounds across over 50 locations around Australia and overseas, we are proud to create, curate and deliver high-quality content that informs, educates and entertains Australian communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

In this role, you will contribute to the development of the ABC’s ML/AI platform & tools that power metadata, transcription & Large Language Model (LLM) capabilities across several product and service integrations, bringing a quality-first mindset to development. Your work will enhance the engineering foundation of the platforms that play a key enabler role in underpinning the success of ABC digital products and services.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide advanced technical expertise to ABC's Digital Products team, enabling the development of secure, high-performance platforms and services.
• Operate as a senior team member under broad guidance, delivering high-quality software with a focus on exceptional code quality, efficiency, sustainability, scalability, and security, all within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Develop and maintain detailed technical documentation, including designs, specifications, architectural details, operational guides, testing protocols, and development rationale, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• Stay deeply informed on industry-leading engineering practices, actively sharing knowledge with team members. Work closely with Engineering Managers and Technical Leads to embed these best practices across the Digital Product teams.
• Lead efforts to continuously enhance the platform’s architectural foundation, focusing on improvements that support scalability, maintenance, and adherence to technical best practices.
• Ensure architectural clarity by designing systems with well-defined layers of abstraction and reusable components where appropriate. Adopt service-oriented architecture for complex systems and apply recognised industry standards.
• Proactively validate assumptions, address defects thoroughly, and minimize reliance on temporary fixes or technical debt, maintaining the integrity of the codebase.
• Apply audience-centric mindset when solving product and engineering problems. 

ABOUT YOU 

• Significant experience in backend software technologies such as RESTful/Websocket APIs, vector databases, digital publishing & content management systems, and integration with diverse data sources.
• Significant experience in developing highly complex, secure and high-performance digital platform at scale.
• Significant experience in one or more programming languages or frameworks such as Python, Golang and Typescript; with ability to write clean, efficient and testable code, and ability to effectively refactor old code base and optimise legacy applications.
• Outstanding communication skills, with proven ability to share knowledge and communicate effectively with the team and a range of stakeholders.
• Outstanding planning and tasks prioritisation skills with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to solve the most complex problems with methodical approach and attention to details.  

DESIRABLE SKILLS 

• Significant experience in vector databases (e.g. AWS Opensearch), AWS Sagemaker services at scale.
   

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Come and join the vibrant Digital Product department in the ABC. Our mission is to enable ABC’s digital future, where ABC transitions from a traditional broadcaster to Australia’s most trusted and valued digital media organisation. Through harnessing our talents in digital, collaborating with our partners and delivering beyond expectations, we ensure the ABC not just remains relevant but thrives.

As a group of product and platform teams, we develop and maintain the ABC's audience facing digital products across mobile, connected TV, desktop, and smart speakers. Whether it is staying informed of the latest breaking news, bringing some great TV on ABC iview, streaming the Hottest 100 on the triple j app and website, or entertaining the kids with our ABC Kids app - the ABC's Digital Product offerings are some of Australia's most loved and most used platforms.

Your work will be appreciated by millions of audiences across Australia. 

We are committed to career development and invest in our people to grow and become leaders in their fields. Everyone in the Digital Product department has a designated budget for training and development. We believe in flexible approaches to working and building self-organising and collaborative teams that offer friendly and supportive environments in which all team members can strive and grow.

For further information on this position please contact Brett Whyte, Digital Talent Acquisition Lead via email whyte.brett@abc.net.au

Note: Your application and CV will only be considered if received through ABC's job application portal.

We respectfully request that Recruitment Agencies do not submit applications for this position.

In line with our focus on diversity, applications are strongly encouraged from Indigenous Australians, people from a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability and LGBTIQA+ individuals. The ABC also aims to achieve a gender-balanced workforce.

To request recruitment and selection information in alternate formats, request adjustments, or have accessibility requirements please contact accessibility@abc.net.au

For more information on inclusive employee networks within the ABC please refer to Life Page on ABC LinkedIn. For more information on working at the ABC visit abc.net.au/careers