RFQ-ASD-LH-02777 Lead Infrastructure Architect

Due to the nature of clients we work with here at Kinexus and the projects these roles will be based on, an Australian Government Top Secret Positive Vetting (TSPV) clearance is essential.

These opportunities do not have the ability to obtain sponsorship for a security clearance (including applicants who currently hold a security clearance seeking to upgrade).

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The Infrastructure Architect will be required to undertake complex design, support and the ongoing upgrade of an extremely complex, extensive corporate network environment. The position will oversee the work of a number of other network engineers and steer the direction of the new generations of network architecture.

They will work in the Technology Foundations Communications Section within the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

Estimated start date: Tuesday, 01 July 2025

Initial contract duration: 12 months

Extension term: 12 months

Number of extensions: 1

Location of work: ACT

Working arrangements: ACT, 5 days a week in the office. WFH cannot be accommodated. Interstate based candidates cannot be accommodated. Candidates must be willing to undergo ASD's Organisational Suitability Assessment (OSA) prior to engagement. Candidates required to have PV clearance.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is the federal agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber warfare and information security. ASD's purpose is to defend Australia from global threats and help advance our national interests.

Situated in Canberra, ASD employs over 2000 TSPV cleared workers. ASD's workforce is growing rapidly. Areas of growth include PMO, cyber security, systems administration and engineering, software development and network engineering.

A top-security, complex and highly technical environment, ASD plays a vital role in the defence of Australia. Long contracts (12 months+) available.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for accurate completion of work within timeframes and quality requirements, share own expertise with others and guide and mentor less experienced employees.
• Establish and lead network planning for own area of responsibility and designs the infrastructure necessary to provide the network services to meet service level agreements.
• Maintain and apply detailed knowledge and experience related to the current Defence and industry accepted network hardware and software products.
• Has expertise in change management and applies this to ensure the continuity of network operations and business functions during network installation or integration tasks.
• Build and sustain relationships, liaise with a range of stakeholders including other teams, peers and colleagues across Defence and other organisations.
• Motivate and mentor teams, aligning complementary skills and allocate resources in a manner that delivers results.
• Evaluate projects to understand critical factors for success and engage in activities to achieve continuous improvement.
• Analyse very complex network engineering issues, applying expertise to identify and recommend courses of action.
• Responsible for significant aspects of the installation, upgrade, operation, control and effective use of local and wide area networks for the communication of data, voice, audio, text or images.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong understanding of network fundamentals, such as protocols, architectures, devices, topologies and standards.
• Ability to design and implement network solutions that meet the business and technical requirements of ASD.
• Knowledge and experience of network security.
• Well-developed knowledge with either Juniper, CISCO or HP Network Equipment.
• CISCO and/or Juniper Certifications.
• Proven experience with OSPF and BGP routing as well as MPLS technologies.
• Proven experience in network systems configuration, testing and installations.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Essential criteria

• Applies and maintains specific security controls as required by organisational policy and local risk assessments. Communicates security risks and issues to business managers and others. Performs basic risk assessments for small information systems. Contributes to the identification of risks that arise from potential technical solution architectures. Suggests alternate solutions or countermeasures to mitigate risks. Defines secure systems configurations in compliance with intended architectures. Supports investigation of suspected attacks and security breaches.
• Produces, or approves network providers', network architectures, topologies and configuration databases for own area of responsibility. Specifies design parameters for network connectivity, capacity, speed, interfacing, security and access, in line with business requirements. Assesses network-related risks and specifies recovery routines and contingency procedures. Creates multiple design views to address the different stakeholders' concerns and to handle both functional and non-functional requirements.
• Leads the development of solution architectures in specific business, infrastructure or functional areas. Leads the preparation of technical plans and ensures that appropriate technical resources are made available. Ensures that appropriate tools and methods are available, understood and employed in architecture development. Provides technical guidance and governance on solution development and integration. Evaluates requests for changes and deviations from specifications and recommends actions. Ensures that relevant technical strategies, policies, standards and practices (including security) are applied correctly.
• Provides definitive and expert advice in their specialist area. Actively maintains recognised expert level knowledge in one or more identifiable specialisms. Oversees the provision of specialist advice by others. Consolidates expertise from multiple sources, including third-party experts, to provide coherent advice to further organisational objectives. Supports and promotes the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation.

Desirable criteria

• Designs large or complex systems and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and trade-offs. Ensures that the system design balances functional and non-functional requirements. Reviews systems designs and ensures that appropriate methods, tools and techniques are applied effectively. Makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Adopts and adapts system design methods, tools and techniques. Contributes to development of system design policies, standards and selection of architecture components.
• Deals with problems and issues, managing resolutions, corrective actions, lessons learned, and the collection and dissemination of relevant information. Implements stakeholder engagement/communications plan. Collects and uses feedback from customers and stakeholders to help measure the effectiveness of stakeholder management. Helps develop and enhance customer and stakeholder relationships.

BENEFITS

Why work for ASD?

• Work on interesting and prestigious projects vital to the ongoing defence of Australia.
• Flexible work environment; work the hours that suit you between 7am and 7pm.
• Low attrition rate: the great variety of projects and opportunities across different business areas ensure few workers leave ASD.
• Long contracts available.
• Fantastic growth opportunities available at any stage of your career.

Why Kinexus?

• Kinexus has been supplying TSPV contractors to government panels since 2004 and have a strong relationship with them. We are one of just 9 suppliers Australia-wide.
• Our experience in managing contractors in defence/national security industries means we understand the requirements from the Commonwealth, insurances and clearances.
• DISP accredited; we can hold clearances and manage renewals.
• Dedicated account manager (me!) who is your dedicated POC and offer continuous contractor care.
• Rate negotiation guidance in line with the SFIA framework.
• Dedicated payroll assistant who facilitates your taxes and super.
• We proactively chase timesheet approvers to ensure you get paid on-time and error free.
• Regular visits to Canberra for coffee, lunches and quarterly drinks events.
• We can facilitate novated car leases, LAFHA or salary sacrifice.
• We'll keep you up to date with the most appropriate, interesting opportunities in your field.
• Community matters. Kinexus supports women in Defence through our female mentoring program and rewards referrers through our Referral Rewards scheme.
• Support for your health and wellness through counselling support (EAP) available for all contractors and their families.

Kinexus is the leading recruitment partner to the defence industry in Australia. We support our community in making intelligent connections and create opportunities to help grow careers.

All applications should include your resume as a word document. For more information, visit our website, www.kinexus.com.au or contact Cindace Prasad at 0449 511 324. #LI-CP