Senior Data Engineer

Simple Machines 3; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Simple Machines is a leading independent boutique technology firm with a global presence, including teams in Sydney, New Zealand, London and Poland. We specialise in creating technology solutions at the intersection of Data Engineering, Software Engineering and AI.

The Senior Data Engineer role is hands-on, focused on building real-time data pipelines and implementing data mesh architectures to help clients manage and use their data effectively.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in data or software engineering.
• Consulting or professional services experience is a bonus.
• Degree or equivalent experience in computer science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design and build data platforms, pipelines, and integrations for client environments.
• Develop batch and real-time data processing solutions at scale.
• Work with clients to understand requirements and advise on data architecture best practices.
• Rapidly learn new cloud platforms, tools, and frameworks.
• Help client teams adopt good engineering practices.
• Contribute to security, governance, and quality across delivered solutions.

Skills

Programming languages (Python)

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Data modeling & SQL

CI/CD & IaC concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

CI/CD pipelines

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/CloudFormation)

Job description

Simple Machines is a leading independent boutique technology firm with a global presence, including teams in Sydney, New Zealand,Londonand Poland. Wespecialisein creating technology solutions at the intersection of Data Engineering, SoftwareEngineeringand AI.

We are a team of creative engineers and technologists dedicated to unleashing the potential of data in new and impactful ways. We design and build bespoke data platforms and unique software products, create and deploy intelligent systems, and bring engineeringexpertiseto life by transforming data into actionable insights and tangible outcomes. We work with enterprises, scale-ups, and government to turn messy, high-value data into products, platforms, and decisions thatactually movethe needle.

Wedon’tdogeneric. We build things that matter.

We engineer data to life™

Requirements

The Senior Data Engineer at Simple Machines is a dynamic, hands-on role focused on building real-time data pipelines and implementing data mesh architectures to enhance client data interactions. This position blends deep technicalexpertisein modern data engineering methods with a client-facing consulting approach, enabling clients to effectively manage and use their data. Within a team of top-tier engineers, the role includes developing greenfield data solutions that deliver tangible business outcomes across various environments.

We value adaptability and strong engineering fundamentals over narrowspecialisation. Whether your background is in data engineering, software engineering, or both, what matters most is thatyou’rea sharp problem-solver who can pick up new tools and technologies quickly. Ifyou’rea software engineerwith strong experience in cloud architecture anddatabases and arelooking to move into the dataengineeringand AI space,thenthis is an ideal opportunity to make that transition with the support of an experienced team around you.

WhatYou’llDo

• Design and build data platforms, pipelines, and integrations tailored to each client’s environment andobjectives.
• Develop batch and real-time data processing solutions at scale.
• Work directly with clients to understand their requirements, shape expectations, and advise on best practices for data architecture and engineering.
• Rapidly learn and adapt to new cloud platforms, tools, and frameworks as projects demand.
• Help client teams build capability by sharing knowledge andestablishinggood engineering practices.
• Contribute to security, governance, and quality across the solutions you deliver.

What You Bring

• Strong data or software engineering fundamentals. You write clean, well-tested, production-quality code.
• Proficiencyin multiple programming languages, ideally including Python.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, and/or Azure) and comfort working with cloud-native services.
• Strong experience with SQL, databases and/or data warehouses, data modelling, and data storage patterns.
• Exposure tocontainerisation, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code concepts.
• Excellent communication skills. You can translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, understand client needs, and shape realistic expectations.
• A curious, adaptable mindset. You enjoy learningnew technologiesand thrive in varied project environments.

Experience

• 5+ years of professional experience in data engineering, software engineering, or a closely related field.
• Consulting or professional services experience is a bonus, but not essential -we’rehappy to help you develop those skills if you havestrong communicationskills.
• Degree or equivalent experience in computer science orrelatedfield.