Technical Lead Data Platform | Kaiarataki Hangarau - Puhara Raraunga

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Stats NZ is seeking two experienced Technical Leads to provide architectural leadership for our Azure-based data platform and related data integration initiatives. You will mentor engineers, champion platform governance, and drive continuous improvement across multiple workstreams.

We value collaboration, strong communication, and a pragmatic approach to translating complex data architectures into scalable solutions that meet business needs in a dynamic government environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large-scale cloud data platform design and delivery.
• Architectural leadership and managing technical risk in complex environments.
• Hands-on experience with Terraform, Infrastructure as Code, containerisation, and secure system integrations.
• Drive delivery continuity across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
• Implement and promote DevOps, CI/CD, observability, and platform governance best practices.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex concepts into practical solutions.
• Collaborative leadership and mentoring of high-performing technical teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement aligning technology with business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, delivery, and ongoing enhancement of an Azure-based data platform.
• Provide technical leadership across APM Data Platform and JAR/Place integration initiatives.
• Mentor engineers and champion DevOps practices, governance, and operational performance.
• Collaborate with architects, analysts, engineers, and product teams to deliver scalable data solutions.

Skills

Cloud leadership

Azure Databricks

Delta Lake

Spark

Terraform

Infrastructure as Code

Containerisation

CI/CD

Observability

Platform governance

Architectural leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Tools

Terraform

IaC

Containers

Job description

2x rolesFixed term to December 2028The role | Te tungaWe have two exciting, fixed term opportunities for experienced Technical Leads to provide technical leadership across the APM Data Platform and JAR/Place integration initiatives. These roles are critical to ensuring strong architecture, effective management of technical risk, and continuity of delivery across a complex and evolving data landscape.You'll lead the design, delivery, and ongoing enhancement of our Azure-based data platform, working closely with architects, analysts, engineers, and product teams to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performing data solutions. As a senior technical leader, you'll mentor engineers, drive innovation, and champion excellence in platform engineering, DevOps practices, governance, and operational performance.What you bring | Nou te rourouProven experience leading large-scale cloud data platform design and deliveryStrong expertise in Azure Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark, and modern data architecturesExperience providing architectural leadership and managing technical risk in complex environmentsHands-on experience with Terraform, Infrastructure as Code, containerisation, and secure system integrationsDemonstrated ability to drive delivery continuity across multiple workstreams and stakeholdersExperience implementing and promoting DevOps, CI/CD, observability, and platform governance best practicesStrong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical solutionsA collaborative leadership style and proven ability to mentor and develop high-performing technical teamsStrong stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to align technology outcomes with business needsA continuous improvement mindset focused on innovation, reliability, and operational excellenceWe recognise that valuable skills can come from both paid and unpaid work. You might have gained experience in education, hospitality, technology, public service, the marae, or the arts. You might have experience from community involvement, volunteering, or wh nau responsibilities. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.For all our roles, were looking for people who:Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do whats right even when its hard.Understand the why behind their work and focus on delivering real value.Stay curious and open to learning, seeing challenges as chances to grow.Build respectful and inclusive relationships, grounded in care for others.Work collaboratively across boundaries and contribute to collective outcomes.We dont expect you to know everything. What matters is your genuine interest, commitment, and readiness to grow with us. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.About Us | Ko m touStats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, its our people who are central to everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, recognising that our work is strengthened by the people behind it.The data and insights we produce help shape decisions across government, communities, and businesses, and plays an important role in telling the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mahi supports informed decision making at both national and local levels, helping improve outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.Were proud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data with equitable access for all.Whats in it for you? | Ng hua ka riro ki a koeTake a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pewhea t tou tikanga mahi | The way we work.Some key benefits include:37.5 hours work week.15 days sick leave allowance (to be used for yourself or people under your care).3 extra days off (taken during end-of-year office closure).Annual flu vaccines.Funded counselling and coaching through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).Visual and hearing health benefitsCorporate rates for a variety of services and products.Study assistance programmes.Ropu Waiata weekly cross agency connection.An active social club in each office.Starting salary for this position: $119,795- $162,075+ kiwisaverHow to apply | Me pehea te tuku tonoSound like you? Click Apply now to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page.Our process is to screen applications as we receive them, so we move to interview stage quickly. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video.Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process.Please reach out to [e-mail] if you have any p tai / questions.Note to recruitment agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.