The Residential Energy Rating team is looking for software developers and specialists to join our growing team.

The Opportunity

The Senior Solution Architect will be responsible for defining and guiding the target architecture and transition approach for the FirstRate5 (FR5) product suite as part of a major platform modernisation program.

Operating within a complex, regulated environment, the role leads the development of a pragmatic future-state architecture across a heterogeneous technology landscape spanning legacy and modern platforms within the FR5 platform, including end-user applications, web services, APIs, and cloud-based processing systems. The architecture approach emphasises transition toward a more modular, service-oriented and cloud-aligned platform.

The position provides strategic technical leadership to ensure the platform evolves in a controlled, incremental manner, balancing modernisation objectives with operational continuity and accreditation requirements (NatHERS).

Working closely with the Technical Lead, Business Analyst, and delivery team, the role ensures that architectural decisions are aligned to business outcomes, reduce long-term technical complexity, and enable sustainable product delivery.

Duties

Lead the definition and ongoing refinement of the target architecture for the FR5 platform, including system boundaries, integration patterns, and technology direction across a complex, multi-system environment within the platform.
Develop and maintain a practical migration and transition roadmap, supporting incremental (strangler-style) modernisation while ensuring continuity of service and alignment with accreditation requirements.
Establish and govern integration and data strategies, including data ownership, data flow, and consistency models across distributed systems.
Identify, assess, and manage technical risks, constraints, and dependencies, providing clear mitigation strategies to support informed decision-making.
Ensure architectural decisions align with accreditation, compliance, and regulatory constraints impacting the FR5 platform.
Define and document non-functional requirements (e.g. performance, scalability, security, reliability) and ensure these are embedded in architectural decisions and delivery planning.
Produce and maintain key architectural artefacts (e.g. target architecture models, Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and transition roadmaps) to support decision-making and delivery alignment.
Provide high-quality technical advice to stakeholders, contributing to decision-making and ensuring alignment between architecture, business processes, and delivery outcomes.
Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies to improve system efficiency, automation, and user workflows.
Collaborate closely with the Business Analyst and Technical Lead to align architecture with current and future state business workflows and ensure shared understanding across the team.
Undertake and guide targeted, time-boxed proof-of-concept activities to validate architectural approaches and de-risk key design decisions.

Skills and relevant experience

Demonstrated experience in solution architecture and system design within complex, multi-system environments, including defining target architectures and guiding their implementation.
Proven experience delivering or supporting modernisation of legacy platforms, particularly using incremental or strangler-pattern approaches.
Strong expertise in integration architecture and distributed systems, including API design, event-driven patterns, and data integration strategies.
Experience developing migration and transition strategies that balance technical improvement with operational continuity.
Ability to identify and manage technical risks and trade-offs, and to communicate these effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical guidance and influence across teams without direct line management responsibility.
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear and practical guidance.
Experience working in regulated or compliance-driven environments, with an understanding of how constraints impact architectural decision-making.

What we offer you

We're building a team designed to inspire and engage. As we redefine our product, you'll have the opportunity to help shape our culture and influence how we grow.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 12 months. The work location for this position is 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description , including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:
If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers.

Applications close 11.59pm on Monday, 20 July 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:
Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au .

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us .