Software Engineer (Machine Learning & Multimodal AI)

The Opportunity

The School of Computer Science and Engineering is seeking two Software Engineers to contribute to the development of innovative machine learning solutions using deep learning and multimodal foundation models. Working closely with leading researchers, you will design, develop, and implement prototype systems that demonstrate practical outcomes for complex reasoning and understanding tasks. This role offers the opportunity to combine software engineering with cutting-edge AI research, including model development, evaluation, and optimisation, while supporting high-impact projects in a collaborative and fast-paced environment. Due to project requirements, Australian Citizenship is required for this role.

This role reports to Prof Flora Salim and has no direct reports.

• Salary, Level 6: $103,866 to $110,801 per annum + 17% superannuation
• Full time
• Fixed term – 3 years
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia
• Australian citizenship required for project eligibility

About UNSW

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

The School of Computer Science and Engineering is one of the largest and most prestigious schools of computing in Australia. It offers undergraduate programmes in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Bioinformatics, as well as a number of combined degrees with other disciplines. Our research and teaching staff are world leading and world building as they advance knowledge and learning. For more information on our school go to the following link - https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/our-schools/computer-science-and-engineering

Skills and Experience

• An undergraduate degree in computing, preferably with an Honours or thesis project, coupled with 2+ years of software development experience.
• Strong coding skills in Python, including deep learning libraries such as Transformers, Pytorch; statistical analysis packages.
• Good fundamentals in deep learning models in text, vision, audio or similar, demonstrated through academic courses or projects.
• Experience using GitHub/GitLab for Version Control.
• Experience creating prototype demonstrations including front-end development (streamlit, gradio, etc.), graph visualization (networkx), and model invocation.
• Experience with best practices in model comparison and evaluation with strong preference to past work in adversarial testing of foundation models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Desirable

• Experience in defence use-cases.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description. This is available via JOBS@UNSW.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

To Apply:

Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Skills and Experience. You should systematically address the Skills and Experience listed within the position description in your application.

Applicants must be Australian Citizens and be able to be on site in Kensington. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Contact:

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Prof Flora Salim (Program Lead)
E: flora.salim@unsw.edu.au

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Eugene Aves (Talent Acquisition Partner)
E: eugene.aves@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Tuesday 21 April 2026