About Symbiote
What is Symbiote?
Symbiote is a Melbourne-based digital technology consultancy specialising in solutions for government and private sector organisations with critical-information needs. Co-founded by Owen Windsor and Marcus Nyeholt in 2009 (originally as SilverStripe, rebranded Symbiote), the team has spent more than 16 years building software for clients including the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet, Public Transport Victoria, NOPSEMA, and the Ian Potter Foundation.
The work spans data extraction, transformation and loading (ETL), Digital Experience Platform and Content Management System research and implementation, digital product development on secure infrastructure, and data and API integration across large and varied sources. The name reflects how the team works with clients — "the mutually cooperative way we work" — and the pronunciation cue ("Sim-Bee-Oat") appears throughout the company's own materials.
Where will I work?
Symbiote operates from a Melbourne CBD office at Suite 4, Level 4/360 Little Collins St, with the team free to work remotely from anywhere in Australia. Hours are flexible to fit "all the other people, animals and things in our lives." The studio acknowledges Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Country as the traditional custodians of the land on which the office stands.
What is the Symbiote team like?
The 16-person team is a flat-management mix of senior developers, QA analysts, project managers, front-end and full-stack developers, plus the two co-founders who still run the business day-to-day. Named team members include Amanda (Head of Strategy & Projects), Nimish (Technical Lead), Rachel (Human Centred Design & Change Lead), Tim (Essential Services Specialist), Sakina (Senior QA Analyst), and developers Mansi, Nathan, Lanka, Max, and Gazza.
The studio describes itself as "definitely a diverse team, in all regards" and has explicit policies to attract and retain people of all genders and those with caring responsibilities. Each team member has scheduled time for learning and sharing what they've learned, and the studio runs a cultural learning programme to expand the team's knowledge of First Nations perspectives.
Work-Life Balance
Every team member works a four-day week at full pay, with the explicit promise: "No overtime, no squeezing-five-days-into-four. Just four normal-length, productive days." There is no fixed off-day — the team can choose any day off. SBS Australia featured Symbiote in their coverage of four-day work weeks.
The studio runs a Workplace Wellness Program that encourages the team to get offline and reset, and regular coaching sessions support ongoing growth. Sometimes the team works pro bono for organisations whose values they share.
Perks and Benefits
- 4-day work week at full pay — choose any day; no compressed hours
- Work from Melbourne CBD office or remotely from anywhere in Australia
- Flexible hours to fit family, caring responsibilities, and personal life
- Workplace Wellness Program to encourage offline time and mental reset
- Regular coaching sessions for professional growth
- Scheduled learning + knowledge-sharing time for every team member
- Flat management structure with direct access to founders
- Cultural learning programme focused on First Nations perspectives
- Pro bono work for value-aligned organisations