Title: Senior Gen AI & Automation Engineer
About us
The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.
Investment and Technology (I&T) leads and manages the investment lifecycle; drives commercial advice & negotiations to facilitate reform; and enables core delivery through Finance, Procurement & Technology.
We’re focused on outcomes that deliver more choice, connections and confidence in our travel, ensuring the whole transport network works as one to deliver better services and outcomes.
About the role
The Senior Gen AI and Automation Engineer plays a strategic and highly technical role in leading the design, development, and deployment of advanced Generative AI, automation, and machine learning solutions across the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).
Working within the Data and Analytics Branch, the role accelerates the department’s capability to apply AI and automation to enhance decision making, streamline processes, and improve operational efficiency. This includes leading the delivery of agentic AI systems, RAG pipelines, departmental AI copilots, and enterprise automation workflows.
To access the Position Description, please click here.
Position accountabilities
- Lead the design, development, and deployment of Generative AI and automation solutions, including agentic workflows, RAG pipelines, and AI copilots.
- Architect and maintain scalable AI and automation systems using Azure, AWS, and Databricks.
- Implement AIOps and automation best practices to ensure reliability, security, and governance of AI solutions.
- Build and optimise LLM-based systems, vector search pipelines, and multi-agent architectures.
- Identify automation opportunities and translate business challenges into practical, high-impact AI use cases.
- Ensure all AI and automation initiatives comply with the Victorian AI Assurance Framework.
- Collaborate with engineers, analysts, and data scientists to embed AI and automation capability across the branch.
Key Selection Criteria
The role requires strong future-focused and innovative thinking, with the ability to integrate emerging digital and AI technologies into enterprise systems and improve service delivery. Candidates must demonstrate advanced technical expertise in Generative AI, automation engineering, cloud-based data platforms, and scalable system design, alongside strong communication skills and the capability to guide and uplift others. A collaborative mindset and ability to connect technical solutions to organisational outcomes and community impact are essential.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or related field.
- Extensive experience (5+ years) designing, developing, and deploying AI and ML solutions in enterprise or public sector environments.
- Demonstrated experience building and deploying Generative AI applications (e.g., RAG, LLM fine-tuning, AI copilots, or agentic systems).
- Proven track record in implementing AIOps practices and model lifecycle management in cloud-native environments (Azure, AWS, or Databricks).
- Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to communicate technical concepts to executive and non-technical audiences.
Cultural Value
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.
What we offer
Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.
For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.
Pre-employment checks and employment conditions
All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.
Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.
Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.
How to Apply
Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.
If you encounter any issues, refer to our Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Applications close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 25th of February 2026.
Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.
For further information about the role, please contact Syed Ahmed - Executive Director, Data and Analytics via syed.ahmed@transport.vic.gov.au
Important Information:
If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.
