About this role Arkeus builds AI-powered sensing systems that help autonomous platforms detect, track and understand what's happening in the
most complex and contested environments. Our technology is deployed across defence and national security applications — already protecting lives and strengthening security across the U.S. and allied markets. Backed by QIC, Main Sequence, R+VC, Salus Ventures, Folklore Ventures, DYNE Ventures and Beaten Zone Venture Partners, Arkeus is entering a major growth phase. We are a small, fast-moving company with the energy and ambition of a start-up and the technical credibility of a world-class defence technology provider. We work at the intersection of optics, autonomy, robotics and real-time AI and we deploy what we build. If you want to ship technology that matters, not technology that ships decks, this is where you belong. We have developed an inclusive, transparent and engaging culture that focuses on building a diverse workforce — realising that to attract the very best, we need to ensure our culture is ready to welcome people from all ages, genders and backgrounds. About the Role Lead the software engineering capability behind next-generation sensing technology. Arkeus is building technology that enables real-time AI at the edge, solving complex problems across defence, security and environmental applications. We are looking for an Engineering Manager - Software to lead our software engineering function as we scale. This is a senior engineering leadership role with responsibility for people, technical capability, engineering practices and software delivery across Arkeus. You will work alongside engineering leaders across Advanced Development, Systems, Hardware, Science and Product to ensure software is treated as a core engineering discipline and that our teams can turn complex technical challenges into reliable, deployable capability. This is not a traditional software delivery management role. We are looking for someone who understands software deeply, can lead experienced engineers and is comfortable operating in an environment where the problems are complex, the technology is evolving and the solutions are not always obvious. About You You are a technical leader first, but you don't need to be the smartest person in the room. You know how to build teams of exceptional engineers, give them clarity and autonomy, challenge their thinking and create the conditions for them to do their best work. You are comfortable getting into the detail when needed, but your real impact comes from building capability, making good decisions and developing people . You enjoy working in an environment where there is still plenty to figure out. You are curious, pragmatic and comfortable with ambiguity. You don't over-engineer for the sake of it, but you also know when engineering discipline matters. Key responsibilities Lead the software engineering function: Build, lead and develop a high-performing software engineering team. Establish the structures, standards and engineering practices needed as Arkeus scales. Recruit, retain, coach and develop exceptional software engineers and technical leaders. Establish clear career pathways, expectations and technical development across the software discipline. Create an environment where engineers are empowered to take ownership and solve difficult problems. Provide technical leadership: Set and maintain strong software engineering standards across architecture, development, testing, integration and deployment. Provide technical guidance and challenge on significant software architecture and design decisions. Work with technical leads to ensure solutions are scalable, maintainable, secure and fit for purpose. Help the organisation make appropriate trade-offs between speed, technical quality, risk and longer-term capability. Build engineering practices that support both rapid development and reliable delivery. Connect software with the broader engineering organisation: Partner closely with the Advanced Development Engineering Manager to transition concepts and prototypes into robust software capability. Experience with embedded or embodied software products - this will not suit candidates who has only run teams in continuous delivery cloud environments. Work alongside Systems Engineering, Hardware, AI/ML, Computer Vision and Product teams to deliver integrated systems. Ensure software engineering considerations are embedded early in product and system development. Help establish clear interfaces, ownership and engineering responsibilities across multidisciplinary teams. Support the evolution of Arkeus' engineering architecture and technology roadmap. Deliver software that works in the real world: Lead teams developing software for complex sensing and autonomous systems. Ensure engineering teams can move effectively from early concepts through development, integration, verification and deployment. Establish appropriate practices for testing, CI/CD, version control, configuration and release management. Support software development in environments where performance, reliability, security and real-time operation matter. Help build software that can move beyond the lab and operate reliably in the field. Your experience and skills We're looking for an experienced Software Engineering leader who combines genuine technical depth with strong people leadership. You'll bring: Significant experience leading software engineering teams and technical professionals. A strong software engineering background with the ability to engage credibly in architecture and technical discussions. Experience building engineering capability within a growing technology organisation. A track record of developing high-performing teams and technical leaders. Experience establishing software engineering standards, practices and processes. Strong understanding of modern software development, architecture, testing and deployment. Experience delivering complex software products, platforms or systems. The ability to balance technical excellence with commercial and delivery realities. Strong communication skills and the ability to work across engineering, product and executive teams. A practical, collaborative approach to leadership. Experience in any of the following would be valuable: Defence, aerospace, robotics or autonomous systems. Real-time or edge computing. Embedded Linux or systems software. Rust, C++ and/or Python. AI/ML, computer vision or sensor processing. High-performance or distributed computing. Software integrated with complex physical systems. Safety-, security- or mission-critical environments. Working within regulated or security-cleared environments. Why Arkeus? This is an opportunity to build the software engineering capability of a growing Australian deep-tech company working on genuinely complex technology. You'll work alongside senior engineering leaders across software, advanced development, systems, hardware and science, with the opportunity to shape not just what we build, but how we engineer it. The work has real-world impact, and the technology operates at the intersection of AI, sensing, software and autonomous systems . You will work on the hardest problems in deep-tech — optics, autonomy, real-time AI and hardware-software integration in a single product. The gap between what you build and where it ends up is almost non-existent. You will collaborate with exceptional leaders who have 40+ years of combined experience in autonomy, optics and defence. You will be learning from — and contributing to — the best in the field. You will become part of a close-knit, ego-free team where ideas compete on merit, not seniority. Low politics, high trust. The kind of team you will still be talking about in ten years. You will work hard and be expected to bring your best — and in return, you will grow faster than you ever would at a large organisation. You will work on technology that is already deployed in real environments — protecting lives and strengthening security across defence and national security applications. You will receive a competitive, market-benchmarked salary, structured career pathways built to grow with you, and the opportunity to participate in our Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP). You will have the opportunity to mentor bright emerging talent through our highly sought-after intern program and strong connections with leading universities. If this sounds like you, please apply even if you don't check every box — we care more about how you think than whether your CV is perfect. Join our growing team and help us change the world through autonomous systems.
