Senior Data Engineer: Lead Modern Data Platform & AI

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Life insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise data solutions that enable decision-making, analytics, and AI. You will play a key role in shaping our modern data platform and engineering practices while coaching engineers across the organisation.

This senior specialist role spans squads and programmes, balancing leadership with hands-on delivery to build scalable, secure data pipelines and products.

Qualifications

• Significant experience designing, building and operating enterprise-scale data platforms and pipelines.
• Advanced SQL and Python skills with strong Databricks experience.
• Experience with modern cloud-based data platforms and Lakehouse/medallion patterns.
• Proven ability to deliver analytics, BI, ML and AI use cases.
• Experience applying DataOps, automation, observability and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex delivery initiatives within the Data Chapter.
• Design and deliver modern data products and pipelines across squads.
• Balance technical leadership with hands-on delivery to ensure fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Develop capability across the Data Community of Practice and mentor engineers.
• Influence standards, patterns and ways of working to lift performance.

Skills

SQL

Python

Databricks

Enterprise data platforms

Data governance

Stakeholder influence

Mentoring

DataOps

Observability

Automation

Tools

Databricks

Cloud platforms

Job description

NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead the design and delivery of enterprise data solutions that enable decision-making, analytics, and AI. You will play a key role in shaping our modern data platform and engineering practices while coaching engineers across the organisation.

This senior specialist role spans squads and programmes, balancing leadership with hands-on delivery to build scalable, secure data pipelines and products.