Principal Engineer

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency; Wellington; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

5 weeks leave

Income protection

Professional development

Inclusive culture

Job summary

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency seeks a Principal Engineer to establish and lead the Engineering Chapter, delivering high‑impact engineering leadership and strategic direction across enterprise platforms. You will influence cloud platforms, ensure reliability, and drive improvements through modern engineering, Agile and DevOps practices.

You will work across teams with Platform Leads, Product Owners and delivery squads, growing technical capability and mentoring engineers while championing best

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior technical leadership roles.
• Deep Cloud, AI and developer platform expertise.
• Knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and platform engineering.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership across complex, high impact engineering challenges
• Drive platform reliability across cloud environments
• Significantly influence internal developer platforms and developer experience
• Lead the evolution of AI augmented engineering by identifying, proving and scaling approaches that improve how we design, build, test and deliver systems and platforms
• Champion Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement practices
• Influence technology roadmaps and engineering direction
• Mentor engineers and strengthen technical capability
• Collaborate across teams to deliver secure, scalable services

Skills

Senior technical leader

Cloud expertise

AI knowledge

SRE practices

Platform engineering

Agile/DevOps

Tools

Azure

Job description

Lead our Engineering Chapter as a Principal Engineer

Drive engineering excellence through standards, patterns and guardrails Location: Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington or Christchurch

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We 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.

We 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 challenges
• Drive platform reliability across cloud environments
• Significantly influence internal developer platforms and developer experience
• Lead the evolution of AI augmented engineering by identifying, proving and scaling approaches that improve how we design, build, test and deliver systems and platforms
• Champion Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement practices
• Influence technology roadmaps and engineering direction
• Mentor engineers and strengthen technical capability
• Collaborate across teams to deliver secure, scalable services

Position Description Ko koe tēnei | About you

You’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 roles
• Strong Cloud, AI, and developer platforms expertise
• A future focused vision for AI augmented engineering, with the curiousity and technical leadership to experiment, prove and scale new approaches
• Broad technical expertise across Site Reliability Engineering practices and Platform Engineering practices
• Strong knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and continuous improvement practices
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, and collaboration skills and the ability to build influence without relying on authority
• A 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 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 as it applies in the public service.

Mō mātou | About us

The 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 return

Play 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 balance
• Five weeks annual leave
• Income 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

Ko wai mātou | About us

At Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, it all starts with our people. The organisation's performance and success depends on the people who choose to make this a great place to work and make a difference for Aotearoa. Waka Kotahi has a strong future focus, understanding that new technologies and changing customer expectations mean the transport system we know today will not be the one we deliver in ten years time.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, mentoring others, and driving continuous improvement through modern engineering practices, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close: 17 November 2026

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

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.

For further information, email: [e-mail]