Principal Software Engineer About the team Digital Services sits at the heart of the customer experience at Service NSW. We design, build and operate the digital products, platforms and shared capabilities that help millions of people and businesses access government services quickly, easily and securely. Our multidisciplinary teams bring together product, design, engineering, delivery, cyber security, data and business professionals. We are collaborative, inclusive and outcome focused, balancing customer needs, technical excellence and sustainable delivery. We value people who are curious, challenge the status quo, take ownership and bring fresh thinking to complex problems. About the role The Principal Software Engineer is a strategic technical leadership role that shapes engineering direction across complex digital products, platforms and enterprise systems. You will lead technical design and delivery, guide architecture and engineering decisions, manage and grow a squad of engineers and influence standards and practices across Digital Services. This is an opportunity to solve high impact technical challenges at scale while improving security, reliability, platform performance and developer experience. You will work closely with product, design, architecture, cyber security and delivery leaders to build secure, reusable and customer centred capabilities for Service NSW and NSW Government. About you You are a strategic technical leader with deep software engineering experience and a strong product mindset. You enjoy leading and growing engineers, solving complex problems and influencing technical direction beyond your immediate team. You combine sound judgement, systems thinking and technical depth with empathy, curiosity and clear communication. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, balancing immediate delivery needs with long term sustainability and explaining complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. You lead through influence, set high engineering standards and create an environment where people can learn, contribute and do their best work. Key responsibilities To be successful in this role you will demonstrate: Desirable Essential Requirements To be considered for roles in the NSW public sector, applicants must: Why join Service NSW? You’ll be part of an organisation that: If you’re motivated by scale, complexity and the opportunity to shape meaningful digital outcomes, we’d love to hear from you! How to apply Click 'Apply Online' and submit your application including: Please submit your resume and a one-page cover letter as a single document. Your application should highlight your skills, experience and suitability for the role. In your cover letter, please provide concise responses to the following questions and clearly number your answers: Our Recruitment Process Assessment Process The process may include up to three stages, depending on the requirements of the role. Progression to each subsequent stage is subject to a successful outcome at the preceding stage. Stage 1: Coding Challenge – approximately 1 to 2 hours You will participate in a hands-on coding capability which is a key requirement of the role. The challenge may assess: Stage 2: Behavioural Interview – approximately 45 minutes If you progress, you will participate in a structured panel interview exploring your professional experience and approach to your work. You will be asked to provide relevant examples from your career, including challenges you have addressed, outcomes you have delivered and experiences that have prepared you for the role. We encourage you to draw upon real examples and discuss both your individual contributions and any collaborative achievements. Stage 3: Technical Q&A or Systems Design– approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour If you progress, you may be invited to a technical assessment, which will be one of the following assessments: This stage is designed to assess your technical knowledge, experience and engineering approach relevant to the role. Progression Through the Process Following each stage, candidates who meet the requirements will be invited to the next assessment activity. Candidates who do not progress will not be required to complete the remaining stages. Assessment outcomes are reviewed at each stage. You will be advised of your outcome and any next steps as soon as possible. Support office roles will be headquartered across Haymarket and Parramatta. We will consider role headquarters outside of the above locations where the role can reasonably be performed from that location taking into consideration the operational, financial and customer requirements of the role and an ability to attend a NSW Government workplace as required. At the point an employee is notified of our intention to assign them to a role, the relevant leader will discuss headquarter options.
Salary Grade 11/12, with the base salary for this role starting at $167,165 base plus superannuation
Click Here to access the Role Description . For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Alyssa Shearman via [email protected].
Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.
A talent pool may be created as part of this recruitment process and will be valid for up to 18 months. The talent pool may be used to fill future ongoing or temporary vacancies of the same or similar role.
Closing Date: Wednesday 11th November 2026 [at 9.59am]
Careers at Department of Customer Service
A career at the Department of
Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform
that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital
transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.
Belong in our diverse and inclusive
workplace
The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing
difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different
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