Senior Data Engineer: Platform, Pipelines & AI Leader

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 134,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave

Flexible working arrangements

Life and income protection insurance

Job summary

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead design and delivery of enterprise data solutions. You will shape our modern data platform, mentor engineers, and drive engineering excellence across the organisation.

You will work across squads to deliver data products and pipelines, balancing hands-on delivery with strategic leadership and guiding Data Community of Practice initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing enterprise data platforms and pipelines.
• Advanced SQL and Python with Databricks delivery experience.
• Hands-on delivery plus leadership across squads and programs.
• Knowledge of data governance, privacy and security requirements.
• Ability to mentor engineers and influence best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of enterprise data solutions for analytics and AI.
• Shape the modern data platform and engineering practices at NZTA.
• Coach data engineers and promote technical excellence.
• Work across squads to deliver data products and pipelines.
• Develop capability across the Data Community of Practice.

Skills

Advanced SQL

Python

Databricks

DataOps

Observability

Security & compliance

Stakeholder influence

Mentoring

Communication

Cloud data platforms

Tools

Databricks

Azure/AWS/GCP

Job description

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead design and delivery of enterprise data solutions. You will shape our modern data platform, mentor engineers, and drive engineering excellence across the organisation.

You will work across squads to deliver data products and pipelines, balancing hands-on delivery with strategic leadership and guiding Data Community of Practice initiatives.