Senior Data Engineer — Flexible Work & Data Platform Impact

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 134,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Life insurance

Income protection

Critical Illness insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advancing its data and analytics journey. We lead the design, build and evolution of enterprise data platforms, pipelines and products to enable better transport outcomes for New Zealanders.

As a Senior Data Engineer, you’ll influence engineering practices, guide modern data product delivery and mentor the Data Chapter, while balancing strategic and hands-on work to ensure scalable, secure, and reliable data solutions across the organisation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years designing, building and operating enterprise-scale data platforms and pipelines.
• Strong SQL and Python skills with experience delivering on Databricks.
• Experience with modern cloud-based data platforms and Lakehouse/medallion patterns.
• Proven ability delivering analytics, BI, ML and AI use cases.
• Experience in DataOps, automation, observability and operational excellence.
• Knowledge of data governance, privacy, security and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of enterprise data platforms and pipelines across squads.
• Balance technical leadership with hands-on delivery to ensure fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Coach and mentor data engineers to raise technical excellence across the organisation.
• Contribute to standards, patterns and ways of working within the Data Chapter and Community of Practice.

Skills

SQL

Python

Databricks

Cloud platforms

Lakehouse

Medallion architecture

DataOps

Observability

Security & governance

Stakeholder mgmt

Mentoring

Tools

Databricks

Job description

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advancing its data and analytics journey. We lead the design, build and evolution of enterprise data platforms, pipelines and products to enable better transport outcomes for New Zealanders.

As a Senior Data Engineer, you’ll influence engineering practices, guide modern data product delivery and mentor the Data Chapter, while balancing strategic and hands-on work to ensure scalable, secure, and reliable data solutions across the organisation.