Lead Engineer - AI/ML
We’re building intelligent systems that redefine how our customers experience our products, and we’re looking for a Lead Engineer – AI/ML to help lead that journey. This role sits at the heart of our AI & Machine Learning ambition, shaping the technical vision behind scalable, ethical, and high-impact AI solutions. You’ll partner with engineering, product, and business leaders to turn bold ideas into production-ready platforms, guiding teams from early experimentation through to enterprise-grade delivery. As a trusted technical authority and mentor, you’ll set the standard for engineering excellence, foster a culture of continuous learning, and champion responsible AI practices that put trust, transparency, and customer outcomes first. If you’re motivated by solving complex problems, growing exceptional engineers, and creating technology that genuinely matters, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
- Acting as the Technical SME for key business stakeholders.
- Define and own the technical vision for ML and AI engineering initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, platform strategy, and long-term scalability.
- Lead end-to-end solution design across data ingestion, feature engineering, model serving, and AI application integration.
- Provide authoritative guidance on ML and AI practices, including CI/CD for ML, automated testing, observability, and model lifecycle management.
- Conduct deep technical reviews of solution designs, code, and architecture to ensure robustness, maintainability, and adherence to engineering standards.
- Champion responsible AI principles, ensuring solutions incorporate fairness, transparency, privacy, and security considerations.
- Strong application development expertise in Python and/or Java, including use of AI coding tools to drive efficiency. (required)
- Proven ability to coach and mentor across engineering best practices (refactoring, design patterns, scalable and secure application development). (required)
- Deep understanding of ML lifecycle, including feature engineering, feature stores, and data management. (required)
- Experience building scalable AI applications (architecture, RAG systems, frameworks like LangChain/LlamaIndex, and Databricks). (required)
- Strong knowledge of AI system performance, including evaluation frameworks and observability. (required)
- Competitive salary and generous performance-based bonus for permanent staff members.
- 25 days annual leave.
- Hybrid working policy (Monday and Friday from home) and a $1,050 home office allowance for new starters.
- Industry leading Parental Leave support program with 26 weeks paid leave for Primary Carers and no wait time.
- Progressive return to work benefit for your first 6 months back: come back for 3 days, get paid for 4; come back for 4 days, get paid for 5.
- Hack Days - where your creativity and collaborative ideas lead to exciting new ideas and projects for our customers.
- Access to outstanding career development programs, including expert-led internal training and external learning opportunities (staff allowance for personal development).
- Weekly concierge service including free massages and nail appointments – all onsite in our Melbourne office!
- Free breakfast, daily fresh fruit and weekly rotating socials, from Thursday office drinks to fun team events.
- End of trip facilities with onsite table tennis and pool tables.
- Discounted health insurance and free flu jabs yearly.
Sportsbet is a leading Australian online wagering platform, with a team of more than 1,300 people across Melbourne, Sydney and Darwin – with over half of that working across technology and data. We serve more than 2.4 million customers through a customer-first, insight-driven and agile approach, helping Australians engage safely with the racing and sporting events they love. In 2026, we were recognised by WORK180 as one of Australia’s Top 101 Employers for Women, ranking number #35. We’re proud of our products, our people, our platforms and our partnerships. As a market leader, we’re committed to strong corporate and social responsibility. We don’t just meet regulatory requirements - we aim to exceed them - prioritising the safety and wellbeing of our customers while setting high standards across the industry. We’re a flexible, progressive and inclusive employer that values diversity. At Sportsbet, we look beyond experience alone, focusing on behaviours, learning agility and expertise to find the right fit for our team. Not only do we support diversity – we celebrate it! With state-of-the-art office spaces, regular development opportunities, games, and team activities, along with some of the smartest colleagues you’ll ever meet, Sportsbet is a place where you can thrive. We’re confident that working here will be the most exciting chapter of your career!