Principal Engineer

• Tackle complex, meaningful technical challenges at scale in an environment where quality engineering is highly valued!
• Shape the technical direction of a high-impact portfolio and influence how one of REA’s core product areas evolves!
• Permanent full time role based in Richmond

We're REA
 With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group  is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you're at on your property journey, we're here to help with every step - whether that's finding or financing your next home.
Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact. As such, we’re proud to have been named in Australia’s “Top 5” Best Workplaces two years in a row, as well as being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women.

Where the team fits in

Customer Platforms & Services is part of REA’s Product group and is focused on building and improving the platforms, services and capabilities that underpin key customer experiences. The team partners closely with product, platform and engineering teams to ensure REA’s platforms, data and customer experiences can operate and evolve safely at scale.

What the role is all about

• Contribute to designing solution architecture and system design across the Listings portfolio, guiding the technical direction for a broad and business-critical area.
• Stay hands-on by prototyping solutions, contributing to critical code, and helping teams solve complex engineering problems using agile software development practices.
• Partner closely with Engineering Managers to ensure technical solutions are delivered in line with strategy, architectural principles, and product goals.
• Influence the direction of multiple squads by aligning technical strategy across Engineering Managers and Senior Engineering Managers, guiding work across 3 teams.
• Champion strong engineering practices, high-quality solution design, and long-term system health.
• Work across squad boundaries to design high-quality, user-centric solutions and bring clarity to complex cross-team engineering challenges.
• Engage in product discovery and early solution validation, helping shape the right technical approach before delivery begins.
• Coach and mentor experienced engineers, helping grow the next generation of technical leaders across Listings.
• Contribute to a connected engineering community through knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and thought leadership across REA.

Who we’re looking for

• You will have approximately 15 years of experience in engineering or related fields, ideally in a dynamic, agile environment.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Scala, Java, or Kotlin.
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Deep understanding of platform architecture and mindset.
• Strong experience with modernization or transformation.
• Drive scalable, resilient, and maintainable platform solutions aligned with business and engineering goals.
• Proven experience influencing technical direction across squads, engineering leaders, architects, and product stakeholders.
• You can balance long-term strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery outcomes.
• Background in mentoring teams or leading cross-functional technical projects.

• Experience guiding platform evolution, system modernisation, operational excellence, and engineering best practices is desirable.
• Experience in operations and support of critical systems is beneficial.

The REA experience

The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we’ll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.

Some of our Perks & Benefits include: 

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working
• Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave
• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
• Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life  

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion  

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you've got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.

Join our Talent Neighbourhood

Keen to be part of REA but didn't find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn't right? You should join our Talent Neighbourhood!

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