Principal Cloud Data Engineer

Randstad New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Randstad New Zealand in Wellington seeks a Principal Cloud Data Engineer to lead enterprise data platform strategy and delivery. You will guide platform and data product teams, crafting secure, scalable cloud-native architectures aligned with long-term roadmaps.

You will mentor engineers, set engineering standards and governance, and advise senior leadership on data strategy, security, and national standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in cloud data engineering, data architecture, or platform delivery.
• Hands-on with Azure Databricks, Python, Delta Lake, Spark, and Azure Data Services.
• IaC/DevOps design using Terraform, Bicep, and Azure DevOps.
• Strong data modeling, metadata management, and governance awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and tactical technical leadership across data platform and product teams.
• Design, build, and optimise scalable, secure cloud-native data pipelines (batch and streaming).
• Lead development of reusable data products on Azure Databricks.
• Establish and evolve engineering standards, governance, and DevOps practices.
• Offer architectural advice and risk assessments to senior ICT leadership.
• Mentor engineers and analysts across squads.

Skills

Azure Databricks

Python

Delta Lake

Spark

Azure Data Services

IaC/DevOps

Data governance

Education

Bachelor Degree

Tools

Terraform

Bicep

Azure DevOps

Unity Catalog

Job description

• Principal/Enterprise Level focused on technical governance, platform strategy & technical advisory
• Azure Databricks, Python, Delta Lake, Spark, and Azure Data Services IaC/DevOps

• Principal/Enterprise Level focused on technical governance, platform strategy & technical advisory
• Azure Databricks, Python, Delta Lake, Spark, and Azure Data Services IaC/DevOps
• Wellington based, Fixed Term till June 2027 (potential extension/multi-year program)

About The Role

Reporting to the Head of ICT Architecture, the Principal Cloud Data Engineer is a key technical leadership position responsible for guiding the strategy, design, and execution of enterprise data platform services. In this role, you will lead complex initiatives spanning platform and data product teams, driving the adoption of cloud-native architectures that are secure, scalable, and fit-for-purpose. You will serve as a trusted technical advisor to senior platform owners and principal architects, ensuring that data solutions align with overall business vision and long-term capability roadmaps.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and tactical technical leadership across enterprise data platform and product teams.
• Design, build, and optimise scalable, secure cloud-native data pipelines (batch and streaming).
• Lead the technical development of reusable, fit-for-purpose data products on Azure Databricks.
• Establish, document, and evolve engineering standards, data governance, and DevOps best practices.
• Provide expert architectural advice, risk assessments, and technical strategy to senior ICT leadership.
• Mentor, coach, and uplift the capabilities of engineers and analysts across squads.

Skills & Experience

• 5+ years senior-level experience in cloud data engineering, data architecture, or platform delivery.
• Hands-on expertise with Azure Databricks, Python, Delta Lake, Spark, and Azure Data Services.
• Strong experience designing cloud pipelines and implementing IaC/DevOps (Terraform, Bicep, Azure DevOps).
• Deep understanding of data modeling, metadata management, and governance tools like Unity Catalog.
• Proven dedication to public sector standards, strict data governance, and national security frameworks

• Please note, we can only consider applicants that are legally entitled to work in New Zealand at the time of application.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.

Experience

5 years

Skills

Experienced Data Platform Architect (Databricks)

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree

education

Bachelor Degree&ICT