Data & AI Engineering Lead

Digitalgarage; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & life insurance

Hybrid work with 3 days in-office

Additional leave allowances

Innovative team culture

Job summary

Digitalgarage seeks a Data & AI Engineering Lead in Auckland to bridge business strategy and technical execution. You will manage a talented team, own the data architecture, and guide real-time analytics initiatives across the enterprise.

Lead architectural strategy, collaborate with senior stakeholders, and drive the shift to modern cloud platforms with a focus on Microsoft Fabric and real-time data processing. Hybrid work in Auckland CBD.

Qualifications

• Senior data leader with line management experience and deep data architecture knowledge.
• Proven ability to design modern cloud architectures and real-time analytics solutions.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric and cloud data platforms (Azure).
• Knowledge of streaming tech such as Apache Kafka and Confluent Cloud.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage multidisciplinary data team across data engineering, platform, and testing.
• Own and execute the Data & AI engineering roadmap toward target-state cloud architecture.
• Design high-level data architecture using Microsoft Fabric, Lakehouse patterns, and real-time streaming with Kafka/Confluent Cloud.
• Embed AI-assisted engineering practices across the domain to boost delivery speed and automation.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and tech vendors to translate complex business goals into engineering solutions.

Skills

Data leadership

Team management

Data architecture

Microsoft Fabric

Azure

Apache Kafka

Confluent Cloud

Real-time analytics

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Azure

Apache Kafka

Confluent Cloud

Job description

Lead a top NZ data team into modern AI & Microsoft Fabric architecture. Enjoy Auckland CBD location, hybrid working & great perks.

Why You’d Like It

Here is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact leadership role at a major, locally owned enterprise in central Auckland. This isn’t a step-up position or a purely hands‑on engineering gig, it is a senior dual-focused role for an established leader with strong data architecture depth and direct team management experience. You will take the reins of a modernised data function, driving AI-enabled automation and reshaping real‑time analytics across the business.

The Story

Our client is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the financial services space by accelerating their modern cloud architecture and AI capabilities. With the incumbent moving on, there is an urgent need for a commercially minded leader to hit the ground running. You will step in to manage and mentor a talented team, drive real‑time integrations, and set the architectural strategy for modern cloud platforms.

Company Profile

This organisation is a pillar of the New Zealand market, dedicated to helping locals safeguard what matters most. Unlike massive offshore corporates with rigid structures, this business offers enterprise scale while remaining agile enough for you to genuinely influence overall strategy. They invest heavily in technology, building top‑tier digital ecosystems and fostering an inclusive, forward‑thinking workplace.

Your Role

As the Data and AI Engineering Lead, you will bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution, taking full line management of a talented engineering team while owning the data architecture landscape. You will mentor your team through sprint deliveries, define architectural patterns, and partner with tech leaders to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

• Directly manage, coach, and hire for a multidisciplinary team across data engineering, platform, and testing.
• Own and execute the overarching Data & AI engineering roadmap, guiding the shift to target‑state cloud architecture.
• Design high‑level data architecture using Microsoft Fabric, Lakehouse medallion patterns, and real‑time streaming with Apache Kafka and Confluent Cloud.
• Embed AI‑assisted engineering practices like GitHub Copilot across the domain to boost delivery speed and automation.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and tech vendors to turn complex commercial goals into clean engineering solutions.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package, including comprehensive health and life insurance cover.
• Genuine flexible working with three days in the Auckland CBD office and work‑from‑home options.
• Generous extra leave allowances alongside standard annual leave.
• A supportive, down‑to‑earth team culture focused on innovation and continuous learning.

Your Fit

You are an established engineering manager or lead architect who brings proven experience directly managing technical teams and driving enterprise architecture. Coming from a solid data engineering or architecture background, you can comfortably design complex cloud environments in Microsoft Fabric, Azure, and Apache Kafka/Confluent Cloud while guiding team career paths and running sprint delivery.