Principal Engineer

New Zealand Government; Palmerston North; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Five weeks annual leave

Professional development

Career growth opportunities

Inclusive culture

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) is seeking two Principal Engineers to lead its Engineering Chapter, delivering secure, scalable, reliable digital services in an Azure-based environment. You will partner with Platform Leads, Product Owners and delivery teams to guide technical decisions and evolve engineering capability across NZTA.

You will mentor engineers, shape technology roadmaps, and champion Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement while helping build a high-performing, collaborative

Qualifications

• Extensive senior engineering leadership experience in enterprise environments.
• Strong expertise in cloud platforms, DevOps, and AI-augmented engineering.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and influence technology roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership across complex engineering challenges.
• Drive reliability and performance of cloud-based platforms.
• Influence architecture decisions and technology roadmaps across NZTA.
• Mentor engineers and foster continuous improvement in Agile/DevOps.

Skills

Cloud technologies

AI augmented engineering

DevOps

Platform engineering

Site Reliability Engineering

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring engineers

Tools

Azure

Job description

Lead our Engineering Chapter as a Principal EngineerDrive engineering excellence through standards, patterns and guardrailsLocation: Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington or ChristchurchWe are establishing Principal Engineering within Engineering at NZ Transport Agency | Waka Kotahi (NZTA), bringing together deep technical expertise, strategic influence and hands on leadership. You'll work across teams and platforms, tackling complex challenges, shaping long term engineering direction and growing technical capability across NZTA.Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunityWe are looking to appoint two Principal Engineers for our Engineering Chapter, working with the Reliability and Platforms crafts.As Principal Engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across critical enterprise platforms, shaping the design and delivery of secure, scalable, and reliable solutions that support NZTA's digital services. Working across a primarily Azure public cloud environment, you'll influence technical direction, resolve complex issues, and help ensure platforms remain resilient, efficient, and fit for the future.This role combines hands-on engineering expertise with strategic influence. You'll work closely with Platform Leads, Product Owners, and delivery teams to guide technical decision-making, contribute to technology roadmaps, support service integrity, and drive continuous improvement through modern engineering, Agile, and DevOps practices.You'll also be a trusted technical advisor to the Chapter Lead, helping influence the future of Engineering at NZTA. You'll play a key role in growing engineering capability across NZTA. Through mentoring, coaching, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, you'll help build a high-performing team while championing best practice, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.You will:Provide hands on technical leadership across complex, high impact engineering challengesDrive platform reliability across cloud environmentsSignificantly influence internal developer platforms and developer experienceLead the evolution of AI augmented engineering by identifying, proving and scaling approaches that improve how we design, build, test and deliver systems and platformsChampion Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement practicesInfluence technology roadmaps and engineering directionMentor engineers and strengthen technical capabilityCollaborate across teams to deliver secure, scalable servicesYou will find out more about the role here Position DescriptionKo koe tenei | About youYou're an experienced engineering leader with deep expertise across cloud technologies, platform operations, and DevOps practices within complex enterprise environments. Combining strategic thinking with a hands-on approach, you're passionate about solving complex technical challenges, mentoring engineers, and driving continuous improvement through modern engineering and Agile practices.You will bring:Proven experience in senior technical leadership rolesStrong Cloud, AI, and developer platforms expertiseA future focused vision for AI augmented engineering, with the curiousity and technical leadership to experiment, prove and scale new approachesBroad technical expertise across Site Reliability Engineering practices and Platform Engineering practicesStrong knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement practicesExcellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration skills and the ability to build influence without relying on authorityA growth mindset and commitment to continuous learning, openly sharing knowledge, challenging thinking and always looking for better ways to operate.You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Maori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Maori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public service.Mo matou | About usThe Chief Technology Office (CTO) is a strategic business enabler within NZTA, providing the digital skills, capabilities, platforms and leadership needed to support our operational performance, regulatory responsibilities and future transport vision.The CTO helps ensure our digital investments, platforms and services align with organisational priorities and deliver value across NZTA. It plays an important role in enabling efficient service delivery, improving customer experience, managing risk and supporting long-term planning.As part of Te Aukaha | Digital, you'll contribute to improving our services and decision-making and providing modern, fit-for-purpose digital, information and technology solutions for our people, partners and customers.You'll be a part of our Engineering chapter, providing Principal level leadership, shaping the technical direction, modern engineering practices and capability that support digital delivery across NZTA.Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in returnPlay a pivotal role in shaping the future of NZTA's technology platforms, influencing enterprise-wide engineering direction while growing technical capability and delivering meaningful outcomes for New Zealanders.In addition, you'll benefit from:Flexible working arrangements that support work-life balanceFive weeks annual leaveIncome Protection and Critical Illness Insurance for permanent employeesProfessional development and career growth opportunitiesA collaborative and inclusive culture committed to delivering meaningful outcomes for New ZealandersIf you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, mentoring others, and driving continuous improvement through modern engineering practices, we'd love to hear from you.Me pehea te tuku tono | How to applyPlease click Apply to upload your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability for the role.Ra Katinga | Applications close:17 November 2026For further information, email: [e-mail] 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.Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.