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Specialisms - Cloud Engineering - Defence
Defence cloud engineering is its own discipline: PROTECTED and SECRET-level cloud environments, IRAP-assessed platforms, and infrastructure that must satisfy both a hyperscaler well-architected review and a Defence security assessor. Re:Sourced recruits the cleared platform engineers who work at that intersection.
The work
Current demand concentrates in three areas: landing-zone and platform builds inside PROTECTED-level AWS and Azure environments, the DevSecOps pipelines that let defence programs ship software at commercial cadence under defence assurance, and the hybrid connectivity engineering between on-premises classified networks and assessed cloud regions.
The capability stack is standard platform engineering (Kubernetes, Terraform, GitOps) plus the assurance layer: ISM control mapping, IRAP evidence preparation and the documentation discipline that defence delivery demands. Engineers with both halves are scarce; clearance plus the assurance experience is scarcer still.
Market dynamics
Cleared cloud day rates run 15-25 per cent above the commercial bands in the Salary Guide 2026, and AUKUS-adjacent programs guarantee structural demand for a decade. Adelaide and Brisbane are the geographic centres of gravity, with Canberra carrying the federal program weight.
Brief design matters more in defence than anywhere else: a brief that requires NV2-now plus deep Kubernetes plus IRAP experience describes perhaps a dozen people nationally. We calibrate at intake which requirement can flex - clearance sponsorship, skills development on-program, or interstate sourcing.
Common questions
They build and run PROTECTED and SECRET-level cloud environments and IRAP-assessed platforms, satisfying both a hyperscaler well-architected review and a Defence security assessor.
Yes. Most require an active or clearable AGSVA clearance and Australian citizenship, which is the binding constraint on the candidate pool. We calibrate every brief against who can legally do the work.
Cleared platform engineers command a premium over commercial cloud bands because the pool is small and clearance-gated. We benchmark each brief against live cleared-market offers; start a hiring campaign for named comp data.
Start a hiring campaign
30 minute working session. No fee until placement. Replacement inside 90 days.