Principal Detection and Response Engineer

New Zealand Transport Agency; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi is seeking three Principal Engineers, Detection and Response to strengthen our cyber defence capability. You will lead detection engineering, threat hunting and incident response across SIEM, XDR and EDR platforms.

In this senior technical role you will design and tune detection content, drive automation and SOAR playbooks, and provide expert guidance during significant cyber incidents. A security mindset and continuous learning are essential.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing and tuning detection rules across SIEM/XDR/EDR.
• Experience threat hunting and translating intel into detections.
• Ability to lead detection content quality and incident response improvement.
• Willingness to obtain NZ national security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Designing, tuning and maintaining detection rules, correlation logic and behavioural analytics across SIEM/XDR/EDR platforms.
• Leading threat hunting activities and translating threat intelligence into actionable detection content.
• Identifying detection coverage gaps and driving continuous improvement across the detection capability.
• Developing automation, SOAR playbooks and response workflows to improve security operations.
• Setting quality standards and validating detection content before deployment.
• Providing specialist expertise for security tool and platform evaluations.
• Acting as a tactical responder for significant cyber incidents, supporting containment, eradication and recovery.

Skills

Threat detection engineering

Threat hunting

Incident response

Automation & SOAR

SIEM/XDR/EDR

Technical leadership

MITRE ATT&CK awareness

Tools

SIEM platforms

XDR

EDR

Job description

Own threat detection and support cyber incident responseLead threat hunting and develop intelligence-led detectionsShape security automation and support major incident responseTe Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We’re looking for three Principal Engineers, Detection and Response to strengthen NZ Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi (NZTA)’s cyber defence capability through advanced threat detection, threat hunting and incident response. This is a senior technical role that combines hands‑on detection engineering, technical leadership and tactical cyber incident response. Working across SIEM, XDR and EDR platforms, you’ll improve detection coverage, reduce time to detect threats and help protect critical services from cyber risk.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing, tuning and maintaining detection rules, correlation logic and behavioural analytics
• Leading threat hunting activities and translating threat intelligence into actionable detection content
• Identifying detection coverage gaps and driving continuous improvement across the detection capability
• Developing automation, SOAR playbooks and response workflows to improve security operations
• Setting quality standards and validating detection content before deployment
• Providing specialist expertise for security tool and platform evaluations
• Acting as a tactical responder for significant cyber incidents, supporting containment, eradication and recovery activities. This role participates in a 24/7 on‑call roster and plays a critical part in maintaining NZTA’s cyber resilience.

Ko koe tēnei | About you

You bring strong detection engineering experience, sound judgement in complex situations and the ability to influence technical outcomes without formal people leadership. Comfortable making incident response decisions within delegated authority, you combine practical expertise with a continuous learning mindset. We value practical achievements, transferable skills and potential, so you don’t need to meet every requirement.

You’ll bring:

• Strong experience designing, tuning and managing detection rules, correlation logic or behavioural analytics across SIEM, XDR or EDR platforms
• Experience investigating suspicious activity and hunting threats using telemetry and threat intelligence, applying sound judgement when information is incomplete
• An evidence‑based approach to identifying detection gaps and turning threat insights into practical improvements, with familiarity with MITRE ATT&CK beneficial
• Experience using automation or scripting to improve security workflows, with an understanding of testing, assurance and safe deployment. SOAR experience is advantageous
• The ability to provide technical guidance, review detection content and strengthen detection and response practices through lessons learned
• An understanding of security and privacy obligations, with a willingness to develop knowledge of NZISM and New Zealand public sector requirements Relevant experience, qualifications, or a combination of both. Certifications such as GCDA, GCIA or GCIH are advantageous
• The ability to obtain and maintain a New Zealand national security clearance up to and including SECRET
• You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public service.

Mō mātou | About us

At NZTA, we deliver transport networks that connect people, places and New Zealand. Te Aukaha | Digital provides the technology and information services that enable better outcomes for our customers, partners and people. Within Digital, Security protects NZTA’s people, information and technology through resilient operations, assurance, governance and secure‑by‑design practices. As part of Security Operations and Resiliency, you’ll help strengthen NZTA’s 24/7 detection and response capability, working across threat detection, incident response and cyber resilience. You’ll collaborate closely with security operations, threat intelligence, engineering and governance teams, as well as external cyber security partners and vendors.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

This is an opportunity to shape a specialist security capability with a clear public purpose. You’ll combine hands‑on detection engineering and tactical incident response with influence over detection quality and reliability, automation and platform decisions, helping strengthen the systems that support transport outcomes for New Zealand.

Work alongside security specialists and partners to turn threat insights and operational learning into practical improvements.

Contribute within a culture grounded in having heart, working better together, being brave and delivering meaningful outcomes.

In addition, you’ll benefit from:

• Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balance
• Five weeks annual leaveIncome Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employees
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• A collaborative and inclusive culture committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for New Zealanders

Rā Katinga | Applications close:15 November 2026

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

NZTA| Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.