Solution Designer

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life cover up to $300,000

Critical illness protection

Disounted insurances and will services

Job summary

New Zealand Defence Force is seeking a Solution Designer to design secure, resilient and scalable solutions that support cyber capability and operational outcomes. You will translate business and technical requirements into practical designs, ensuring systems are secure, fit for purpose, and integrate effectively within the Defence Information Environment.

You will guide solution design across product teams and collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to drive delivery.

Qualifications

• Experience designing technology solutions within complex environments.
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and product delivery practices.
• Knowledge of secure design principles and cyber security considerations.
• Experience translating business and technical requirements into solution designs.
• Ability to work across infrastructure, application and integration technologies.

Responsibilities

• Designing secure and resilient solutions aligned with operational requirements.
• Developing solution blueprints, roadmaps and integration approaches.
• Ensuring solution designs align with cyber security and infrastructure standards.
• Collaborating with engineers and stakeholders to support solution delivery.
• Supporting design reviews, performance improvement and optimisation activities.

Skills

Solution design

Secure design principles

SDLC understanding

Stakeholder engagement

Agile delivery

Security standards

Education

Relevant qualifications or certifications

Job description

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We're establishing a new Cyber Operations Application Team (COAT) that will help protect and strengthen critical NZDF digital capabilities. As a Solution Designer, you'll help design secure, resilient and scalable solutions that support NZDF's cyber capability and operational outcomes. This is an opportunity to join a newly established team and work alongside cyber specialists, engineers and technology professionals to deliver solutions that align with operational needs, security requirements and technical standards. You will be responsible for translating business and technical requirements into practical solution designs, helping to ensure systems are secure, fit for purpose and able to integrate effectively within the Defence Information Environment. Working within a collaborative product team, you'll provide technical guidance across solution design, integration and continuous improvement activities.

• Designing secure and resilient solutions aligned with operational requirements


• Developing solution blueprints, roadmaps and integration approaches


• Ensuring solution designs align with cyber security and infrastructure standards


• Collaborating with engineers and stakeholders to support solution delivery


• Supporting design reviews, performance improvement and optimisation activities


• Providing guidance on secure design principles and best practices

Applications may be reviewed upon receipt. It is advised to apply early to avoid disappointment, as this role may close ahead of time due to a high volume of applicants.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Solution Designer to contribute to secure and resilient cyber capability within NZDF. You will be a strategic and collaborative professional with experience designing technology solutions within complex environments. You will enjoy working across technical disciplines, translating requirements into practical solutions and helping ensure technology outcomes remain secure, scalable and fit for purpose. You will bring:

• Experience designing solutions within software, infrastructure or cyber environments


• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and product delivery practices


• Experience translating business and technical requirements into solution designs


• Knowledge of secure design principles and cyber security considerations


• Experience working across infrastructure, application and integration technologies


• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills


• Experience working within agile delivery environments desirable


• Relevant qualifications, certifications or equivalent industry experience

No candidate is expected to meet every desired skill / experience listed. If your background differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to the role, we encourage you to apply. This role may require travel to support operational and business requirements.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning - safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

• safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection


• Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community


• Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all - irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics - NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment.

Applications close on Monday 7 September 2026.

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know: Higher Level Security Clearance You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa. At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last ten (10) years.

You must have a ten (10) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level. If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.