Principal Software Engineer – Security Engineering & AI Automation
Drive the future of security engineering through automation, AI and modern cloud platforms
Lead enterprise-scale solutions that help protect one of Australia's largest technology environments
Shape engineering standards and influence how Group Security solves complex challenges across the bank
As a Principal Software Engineer, you'll help shape the future of security engineering at CommBank. You'll provide technical leadership while remaining hands-on, identifying new opportunities to improve how problems are solved and influencing engineering outcomes beyond a single squad or product.
This is an opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with enterprise-wide impact, helping build the next generation of security engineering capabilities.
See yourself in our team
Group Security is part of Technology and brings together security and resilience capabilities spanning cyber security, protective security and business resilience, fraud technology and operations, and cyber defence.
You'll join a growing security engineering capability focused on solving recurring and emerging challenges across Group Security through automation, APIs and modern engineering practices.
The team supports multiple engineering squads while helping establish new ways of solving longstanding security problems through the application of AI, cloud technologies and scalable software solutions.
You'll work closely with Engineering Managers, Product Owners and senior technology leaders to drive technical alignment, engineering excellence and innovation across the domain.
Do work that matters:
Technical Strategy & Platform Evolution
Define and drive the technical vision for security engineering platforms, automation capabilities and API services
Identify opportunities to improve how security challenges are solved across the organisation
Lead the evaluation and adoption of modern technologies, tooling and engineering practices
Ensure solutions are scalable, secure and aligned to long-term technology strategy
Cross-Squad Technical Leadership
Provide technical leadership across multiple security engineering squads
Drive consistency in architecture, engineering patterns and platform capabilities
Solve complex challenges that span security domains, products and teams
Influence technical roadmaps, engineering priorities and long-term platform direction
Engineering Excellence
Champion modern software engineering practices across design, testing, deployment and operations
Drive CI/CD, automation, observability and platform engineering improvements
Reduce technical debt and improve the maintainability, reliability and scalability of engineering solutions
Help teams deliver repeatable and sustainable outcomes to complex security challenges
Leadership & Influence
Act as a trusted technical advisor across engineering and business stakeholders
Mentor engineers and help uplift engineering capability across the chapter
Challenge existing approaches and encourage continuous improvement
Influence through technical credibility, strategic thinking and hands-on contribution
Hands-On Engineering
Contribute directly to architecture, solution design and software development
Lead the development of APIs, automation services and cloud-native solutions
Remain close to delivery to ensure high-quality outcomes and engineering excellence
We're interested in hearing from people who have
Proven experience leading technical strategy across multiple engineering teams, platforms or domains
Strong hands-on software engineering experience at Staff, Principal or equivalent level
Deep expertise in backend engineering, software architecture and systems design
Experience building scalable APIs, automation platforms and distributed systems
Strong cloud engineering experience across AWS, Azure or similar environments
A track record of uplifting engineering capability, standards and technical excellence
Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence senior technical and business leaders
Experience operating in complex environments where ambiguity, innovation and continuous learning are essential
Experience in cyber security, security engineering, incident response or related domains will be highly regarded but is not essential.
Technical skills
We don't expect expertise across every technology listed below. We're looking for engineering leaders with strong software engineering foundations, a growth mindset and the ability to solve complex problems.
Software Engineering
Python development and backend engineering
API design and development
Distributed systems and scalable architecture
Automation and software tooling
Cloud & Platform Engineering
AWS and/or Azure
CI/CD and modern deployment practices
Infrastructure as Code and cloud-native services
Observability and monitoring solutions
Architecture & Engineering Practices
Software architecture and solution design
Enterprise integration patterns
Reliability, scalability and operational excellence
Engineering governance and standards
Emerging Technology
Exposure to AI-powered development or operational tooling
Interest in applying AI to solve real-world engineering and security challenges
Experience evaluating and adopting new technologies
Why join us?
Help shape the future of security engineering across one of Australia's largest technology environments
Influence technical strategy while staying hands-on with engineering and delivery
Work on complex challenges spanning automation, cloud, APIs and emerging AI capabilities
Drive engineering excellence across multiple squads and technology domains
Partner with experienced engineering and security leaders across the organisation
Leave a lasting impact on how Group Security delivers scalable, efficient and innovative outcomes
Working with us
Whether you're passionate about customer service, driven by data, or called by creativity, a career at CommBank is for you.
We support our people with the flexibility to thrive both at work and at home, fostering a culture where diversity, inclusion and wellbeing are prioritised. Together, we're committed to building a workplace where everyone can achieve their potential.
Apply today!
If you're already part of the Commonwealth Bank Group (including Bankwest, x15ventures), you'll need to apply through Sidekick to submit a valid application. We’re keen to support you with the next step in your career.
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Skills Required
- Experience leading technical strategy across multiple engineering teams, platforms, or domains
- Strong hands-on software engineering experience at Staff, Principal, or equivalent level
- Deep expertise in backend engineering, software architecture, and systems design
- Experience building scalable APIs, automation platforms, and distributed systems
- Strong cloud engineering experience across AWS, Azure, or similar environments
- Track record of improving engineering capability, standards, and technical excellence
- Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to influence senior technical and business leaders
- Experience operating in complex environments involving ambiguity, innovation, and continuous learning
- Python development and backend engineering experience
- API design and development experience
- Experience with distributed systems and scalable architecture
- Experience with automation and software tooling
- Experience with CI/CD and modern deployment practices
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code and cloud-native services
- Experience with observability and monitoring solutions
- Experience in cybersecurity, security engineering, incident response, or related domains
- Exposure to AI-powered development or operational tooling
- Interest in applying AI to engineering and security challenges
Commonwealth Bank Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Commonwealth Bank and has not been reviewed or approved by Commonwealth Bank.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The bank offers additional Life Leave, the option to purchase up to four extra weeks, pet leave, and paid volunteering leave alongside flexible-working options. Public materials indicate these leave features compare well within Australian banking.
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Parental & Family Support — Permanent employees can access up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave, and superannuation is paid for up to 34 weeks of unpaid parental leave. These provisions extend support for new parents beyond standard settings.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Access includes CBHS Health Fund, Fitness Passport, a 24/7 wellbeing platform with telehealth, an Employee Assistance Program, and employer‑paid income protection for up to two years, alongside staff banking perks and share plans. This combination provides day‑to‑day value across health, protection, and financial perks.
Commonwealth Bank Insights
What We Do
Australia’s leading provider of financial services including retail, premium, business and institutional banking, funds management, superannuation, insurance, investment and sharebroking products and services. We are a business with more than 800,000 shareholders and over 52,000 employees. We offer a full range of financial services to help all Australians build and manage their finances.
