AI Automation & DevOps Developer (Contractor)

First Focus; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

First Focus in New Zealand is seeking an experienced AI Automation & DevOps Developer to join our Technology team. You’ll apply AI tools and develop AI-enabled applications, automations and internal solutions that deliver measurable business value.

You’ll be encouraged to experiment, refine processes and build reliable solutions across client environments, with emphasis on security, governance and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Commercial experience in software development, automation or DevOps.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools as part of the software-development lifecycle.
• Experience developing or implementing AI-enabled business solutions.
• Understanding of generative AI, large language models, prompting and AI-assisted development.
• Strong scripting experience with Python, PowerShell, Bash or PHP.
• Experience with RESTful APIs and database integration.
• Knowledge of Git and collaborative development workflows.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Ability to learn new AI technologies and adapt quickly.

Responsibilities

• Work across applied AI, software development, automation and DevOps.
• Design, develop, test, document and improve software using AI-powered tools and assistants.
• Evaluate AI models, platforms and tools for business problems.
• Build AI-enabled applications, intelligent agents and automated workflows.
• Connect AI models with internal apps, data sources and APIs.
• Develop solutions using generative AI, LLMs and NLP.
• Create AI-assisted knowledge, service-delivery and decision-support tools.
• Design and maintain internal apps, tools and services.
• Write automation scripts and automate repetitive processes.
• Develop end-to-end workflows linking systems, databases and RESTful APIs.
• Monitor quality, reliability and business impact of AI solutions.
• Adopt secure, private and governance-aware AI practices.

Skills

AI tooling in SDLC

Python/PowerShell/Bash/PHP

RESTful APIs

SQL/NoSQL databases

Git & version control

CI/CD pipelines

Cloud & IaC

DevOps fundamentals

Analytical problem-solving

Effective communication

Tools

Git

Azure

OpenAI tools

Job description

Build smarter systems with AI

First Focus is one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading Managed Service Providers (MSPs), with more than 280 technical professionals across Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

We have grown consistently and profitably for over 15 years, and we’re continuing to invest in automation, software development and artificial intelligence to improve how we work and serve our clients.

We’re looking for an experienced AI Automation & DevOps Developer to join our Technology team in New Zealand.

This is an opportunity for a developer who is excited about the practical application of AI. You’ll use modern AI tools in your daily development workflow while also building AI-enabled applications, intelligent automations and internal solutions that deliver measurable business value.
You’ll be encouraged to experiment, challenge existing processes and find smarter ways of getting things done.

Why join First Focus?

• Build with AI: Work with emerging AI tools, models and development practices.
• Make a genuine impact: Create solutions that improve how teams across our business operate.
• Grow your career: Develop your skills across AI, automation, software development and DevOps.
• Be supported to be awesome: Receive the tools, training and support you need to succeed.
• Join a great team: Work alongside talented developers, engineers, product owners, project managers and service professionals.
• Be heard: Contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and help shape how First Focus adopts AI.
• Work inclusively: We promote equal opportunity and fair treatment regardless of position, location or nationality.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll work across applied AI, software development, automation and DevOps. Your responsibilities may include:

• Using AI-powered development tools and coding assistants to design, develop, test, document and improve software.
• Evaluating different AI models, platforms and tools to determine the best fit for each business problem.
• Building AI-enabled applications, intelligent assistants, agents and automated workflows.
• Connecting AI models with internal applications, business data, databases and APIs.
• Developing solutions using technologies such as generative AI, large language models and natural-language processing.
• Creating AI-assisted knowledge, service-delivery and decision-support tools.
• Designing, developing and maintaining internal applications, tools and services.
• Writing automation scripts using Python, PowerShell, Bash or PHP.
• Automating repetitive operational and administrative processes.
• Developing workflows that connect business systems, applications, databases and RESTful APIs.
• Working with Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and NoSQL databases.
• Supporting DevOps practices, including automated testing, CI/CD, deployment pipelines, monitoring and environment management.
• Using Git for version control, peer review, branching and collaborative development.
• Applying appropriate security, privacy, governance and human oversight to AI solutions.
• Monitoring the quality, reliability and business impact of AI-enabled solutions.
• Adapting quickly as AI technologies, tools and business requirements evolve.
• Helping teams understand where AI can and cannot provide genuine value.

We’re looking for a practical developer who enjoys experimenting with technology and turning ideas into reliable solutions.

You’ll bring many of the following:

• Commercial experience in software development, automation or DevOps.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools as part of the software-development lifecycle.
• Experience developing or implementing AI-enabled business solutions.
• An understanding of generative AI, large language models, prompting and AI-assisted development.
• Strong scripting experience with one or more of Python, PowerShell, Bash or PHP.
• Experience developing solutions that work with RESTful APIs.
• Sound database knowledge, including SQL and platforms such as Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL or NoSQL.
• Practical experience with Git and collaborative development workflows.
• An understanding of DevOps principles and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience automating processes across multiple systems and tools.
• Familiarity with YAML and configuration-driven automation.
• The ability to learn new AI technologies and adapt quickly.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• A focus on delivering measurable outcomes, not simply experimenting with technology.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work with technical and non-technical teams.
• The initiative to take ownership, suggest improvements and perform at a high level.

You’ll have an advantage if you also have

• Experience with AI tools or platforms such as GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Claude or Gemini.

• Experience building AI agents, assistants or multi-step AI workflows.

• Knowledge of retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings or vector databases.

• Experience with AI development frameworks or orchestration tools.

• Experience testing, monitoring or evaluating AI model outputs.

• Knowledge of responsible AI, including privacy, security, governance and human oversight.

• Previous experience working for an MSP or technology services provider.

• Experience with IT service-management or professional-services automation platforms.

• Advanced PowerShell experience.

• Experience with cloud platforms and infrastructure-as-code tools.

• Experience with containers and modern application deployment.

• Robotic process automation experience.

• Experience with open-source frameworks.

• Knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure or SharePoint.

• Work on Leading-Edge AI & Automation Projects

• Opportunity to Shape Solutions End-to-End

• Expand your expertise through diverse client environments

Note: Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

Neurodiversity: First Focus welcomes applications from Neurodiverse candidates. We recommend & appreciate disclosure along with the application so that a copy of our Neurodiversity Statement can be provided outlining the flexible options we can offer to best showcase your skills.

AI in Recruitment: We use AI-assisted recruitment tools to support application review. These tools do not make hiring decisions. All applications are handled by our recruitment team in compliance with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020.