Full-time, Brisbane or Sydney based hybrid role

Hello. We’re Virgin Australia. We’re the airline that’s always done things a little different. Our way. The Virgin way. We’re on a mission to make flying better than ‘nice’. And to do that, it takes a team of talented people who are passionate about customer experience, doing the right thing always, with a focus on safety – in the air, on the ground and in our workplaces. A team who values real diversity and inclusion, in a big brand with big ambitions.

What you’ll be doing

As a Senior Data Scientist specialising in the application of Large Language Models, you’ll design and deliver production-ready LLM-based systems that solve real business problems. This role combines deep expertise in Applied AI with the practical engineering skills that are needed to build, evaluate and optimise LLM-based solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Design end-to-end LLM-based solutions including retrieval, prompting, fine-tuning, and tool/API integration.
• Build and iterate on retrieval-augmented generation pipelines (document ingestion, embeddings, vector search, reranking, context assembly).
• Design and implement agentic workflows for multi-step reasoning and tool usage.
• Write production-quality Python code to integrate LLM systems into business applications and workflows.
• Optimise systems for latency, reliability, and cost using caching, batching, and inference optimisation.
• Design evaluation frameworks for non-deterministic outputs (correctness, groundedness, reasoning coherence).
• Analyse model failures and implement improvements based on error patterns and feedback loops.
• Stay current with advances in LLMs, agentic systems, and retrieval techniques; translate research into production patterns.
• Collaborate with security, compliance, and platform teams for responsible AI alignment.

You’ll be great in this role if you have…

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, data science, software engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Formal training or postgraduate study in machine learning, deep learning, NLP, or large language models.
• Experience building, deploying, and operating production-grade ML or AI systems (not just prototypes).
• Hands-on experience with LLMs in applied settings (RAG, tool-calling, multi-step reasoning workflows).
• Experience designing evaluation approaches for non-deterministic systems.
• Strong software engineering skills in Python for production-quality code.
• Ability to design end-to-end LLM systems including orchestration and integration with external tools.
• Knowledge of optimisation techniques such as fine-tuning, distillation, and inference efficiency improvements.
• Experience with observability practices (structured logging, tracing, dashboards) and managing cost/latency trade-offs.
• Ability to clearly explain technical concepts and trade-offs to non-technical audiences.
• Exposure to travel, transport, or other complex operational industries (desirable).

We’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

• Discounted flights for you and your loved ones (including $1000 worth of travel credits per year)
• A flexible, hybrid work style. Work from home or the office, adapt your location to suit your style and needs
• One of Brisbane’s most admired head office locations, with South Bank train station, a supermarket, pharmacy, and lunch options downstairs plus a 5-minute walk to the Busway, a rooftop restaurant and onsite gym (with a low membership fee) and South Bank Parklands just across the road
• Discounts on travel insurance, lounge membership, car hire, accommodation, and experiences worldwide
• Cheaper hospitality, retail, technology, beauty and wellness services
• Free counselling and access to a wellbeing app to support your physical, mental, social and financial health
• ‘Dress for Your Day’ – enjoy the freedom to wear whatever makes you feel great for the type of work you do and the day you have ahead of you.

When everyone is included, everyone wins

We’re all individuals. And we love that. That’s why we encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, our friends in the LGBTQIA+ community, and anyone else who wants to join our family.

Ready to apply?

We’re ready to hear from you. Apply now.