Senior Software Engineer - Backend Contractor

Westpac New Zealand Ltd; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Westpac New Zealand Ltd is seeking a Senior Backend Developer to design, build, and maintain scalable backend services. You will work on a critical legacy transformation, replacing it with a modern stack starting from scratch.

Key focus areas include API/backend development, Java and Spring Boot, Kafka and IBM MQ, and DevOps with CI/CD, automation, and containerisation. Strong problem-solving and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of API and backend development experience.
• Proficiency with server-side Java, Spring Boot, Kafka and IBM MQ.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerisation and deployment automation.
• Experience using AI for design and development.
• Strong knowledge of database schema design, transactions and queries.
• Excellent influencing and communication skills; able to guide teammates.
• Strong problem-solving using systems thinking and analytical approaches.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain backend applications and integrations.
• Troubleshoot issues and ensure system stability.
• Implement changes per design specs and evolving business needs.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for reliability and performance.
• Maintain support procedures to minimise downtime and ensure resilience.
• Contribute to release and deployment processes with proper documentation.
• Implement automated testing, code reviews, and CI practices.

Skills

Backend development

API development

Java

Spring Boot

CI/CD

Containerisation

AI for design

Kafka

Tools

Kafka

IBM MQ

Job description

About us At Westpac New Zealand, our purpose is to Help New Zealanders Succeed. As a Bank and one of New Zealand's leading employers, we are passionate about helping people. We are taking action today to create a better future for the people who bank with us, work with us, invest in us or are part of our broader communities.

Mō te tūranga | About the Role

Join Westpac NZ as a Senior Backend Developer in our Product Engineering – Cards and Consumer Finance team. You’ll play a key role in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable applications using backend technologies. You’ll replace a critical legacy system with modern tech stack starting from scratch.

Ko tō mahi | What you’ll do

Design, develop, test, and maintain applications and integration solutions. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, ensuring system stability. Implement changes aligned with design specifications and evolving business needs. Analyse recurring issues and lead continuous improvement initiatives. Maintain and refine support procedures to ensure resilience and minimise downtime. Contribute to release and deployment processes, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance. Implement automated testing and ensure high-quality code through code reviews and continuous integration practices.

Nā tāu rourou | What will you bring?

At least 10+ years’ experience across API and Backend development. Proficiency with server-side development (Java, Spring Boot, Kafka, IBM MQ). Experience in DevOps such as CI/CD pipelines, containerisation, and deployment automation. Experience using AI for design and development. Strong knowledge of database schema design, transactions, and queries. Exceptional influencing and communication skills, with the ability to guide individuals toward fast and effective outcomes. Strong problem-solving skills using systems thinking and analytical approaches.

Our culture is rich with stories of how our people like to help, our customers, our community and each other. This is reflected through flexible working arrangements to ensure that our people have a balance in their life with those things that are important to them. Through ensuring that we provide opportunities to everyone regardless of what society throws at them, we are a safe place to work where you are treated equally and appreciated.