Rail and Operational Technology Lead

Auckland Transport; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Study assistance

Health & wellbeing benefits

Public transport discount

Modern CBD office

Professional memberships

Job summary

Auckland Transport is seeking an experienced Rail & OT Lead to provide technical leadership across complex transport infrastructure programmes. You will act as AT’s technical authority for rail and OT systems, engaging with alliance partners and senior stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and customer‑focused solutions.

In this senior role you will influence decisions at C‑suite and board levels, drive design, procurement and integration, and champion AT standards and enterprise architecture

Qualifications

• 15–20 years experience across ICT and industrial/operational technology environments.
• At least 5 years operating at a senior leadership or principal technical level.
• 5–7 years’ experience in rail, transport or large‑scale operational technology systems.
• Proven ability to influence and build credibility with C‑level, board and senior technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end‑to‑end design, procurement and delivery of OT systems across major programmes.
• Provide senior technical leadership for rail and OT, representing Auckland Transport with alliance partners.
• Influence partners and third‑party providers to adopt an integrated, AT‑wide systems approach.
• Engage with C‑suite, board and senior tech stakeholders to ensure alignment with enterprise standards.

Skills

SCADA

Rail systems

Operational technology

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in IT/Engineering

Job description

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Auckland Transport – Auckland, North Island

Auckland Transport is seeking an experienced Rail & Operational Technology (OT) Lead to provide technical leadership across some of New Zealand’s most complex and high‑profile transport infrastructure programmes.

This is a senior, influential role where you will represent AT on major alliance‑led projects, ensuring operational technology solutions are designed, procured, integrated and delivered to the highest standards of safety, reliability and customer experience.

As the Rail & OT Lead, you will act as AT’s technical authority across rail and transport operational systems, working closely with alliance partners, third‑party providers and senior stakeholders.

• Rail and station operational systems
• SCADA and real‑time operational technology platforms
• Network, radio and disaster recovery design
• Technology standards, procurement and integration

You will regularly engage at C‑suite, board and senior technical levels, influencing outcomes to ensure alliance‑delivered solutions align with AT’s strategic objectives, enterprise architecture and operational standards.

• Provide senior technical leadership for rail and operational technology, representing Auckland Transport across CRLL, Link Alliance and future major infrastructure programmes, ensuring solutions align with AT standards and strategic objectives.
• Lead the end‑to‑end design, procurement and delivery of OT systems, influencing alliance partners and third‑party providers to adopt an integrated, AT‑wide systems approach that optimises value, performance and risk.
• Act as a trusted senior advisor and escalation point, building strong stakeholder relationships, contributing to AT Codes of Practice, and driving continuous improvement and innovation across operational technology systems.

Nā tāu rourou | What will you bring? Qualifications & technical expertise

• Tertiary qualification in IT, engineering or equivalent experience
• Deep hands‑on experience with SCADA, rail systems and operational technology environments

Experience

• 15–20 years’ experience across ICT and industrial/operational technology environments
• At least 5 years operating at a senior leadership or principal technical level
• 5–7 years’ experience in rail, transport or large‑scale operational technology systems
• Proven ability to influence and build credibility with C‑level, board and senior technical stakeholders
• Experience working within or alongside local government, transport authorities or large infrastructure alliances

Capabilities

• Strong understanding of rail and operational technology regulatory environments
• Exceptional stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical outcomes
• Highly organised, delivery‑focused and comfortable operating in ambiguous, high‑pressure environments

At AT, weembraceinclusion and fully support building a diverse workplace where people come first and we feel safe, respected, valued and supported, inclusive of our differences. Our values are more than just words

• they are integral to everything we do.
• Safe with us,Whanaungatanga
• Better, bolder, together.

In addition, we also offer:

• Opportunity for greater leadership and accountability
• Investment in your professional development and training
• 25% discount on public transport services across Auckland
• ModernCBD (Wynyard Quarter) waterfront-basedoffice
• Paid parental and partner leave
• Study assistance
• Health and Wellbeing benefits
• Professional memberships
• AT Connect groups such as Mana ka Māori, Women@AT, and many more!