Technical Leader - Data, Analysis & Engineering

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 142,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Care

Kiwisaver contributions

Leave benefits

Childcare allowance

Onsite gym

Flexible working

Job summary

Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in New Zealand seeks a Technical Leader in the Intelligence Directorate to guide a team of analysts in building data analytics capabilities and ETL pipelines. You will lead technical and people initiatives, aligning work with the intelligence mission and delivering high‑quality, timely data products.

You will drive advanced data analytics, apply machine learning where appropriate, and coordinate across stakeholders to shape priorities and reduce

Qualifications

• Experience in a line-management role.
• Background in data engineering, data analysis, software development, or systems engineering.
• Strong background in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• Ability to engage with technical best practice and minimise technical debt.

Responsibilities

• Lead an established team of technical analysts to deliver data pipelines and advanced analytics.
• Shape team priorities and ensure delivery of quality, timely products aligned with user requirements.
• Develop, deliver and iterate data-driven solutions using diverse datasets and ETL pipelines.
• Provide technical and people leadership to staff and coordinate with broader intelligence mission.

Skills

People leadership

Data engineering

Data analysis

Machine learning

Software development

Prioritisation

Job description

Join our diverse and talented people and work at the heart of national security, providing essential intelligence to the NZ government to protect New Zealand and its people.At the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) | Te Tira Tiaki, our mission is to protect and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s security and wellbeing. We provide Signals Intelligence and Cyber Security and resilience to organisations of national significance to successfully navigate in an unpredictable world.

Why work for us

Alongside getting to work with our talented people, we also offer a range of comprehensive benefits which include:

• Medical Insurance and Vision Care packages
• Enhanced employer contributions to your Kiwisaver
• Generous Leave benefits, including additional paid days off and enhanced sick and parental leave
• Childcare allowance for your preschoolers
• Onsite free gym
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth and career pathways across the intelligence community
• Flexible working options, and great work-life balance

The role

We are looking for a new Technical Leader in the Intelligence Directorate to lead an established team of talented technical analysts, whose skills principally encompass developing, delivering advanced data analytics (utilising AIML as appropriate), and engineering ETL pipelines. The team perform both data analysis and data engineering functions. In data analysis, the team utilises advanced analysis techniques and machine learning to drive the intelligence mission forward. In data engineering, the team work to transform, normalise and deliver data to support their customers. The team build sustainable tools and proactively reduce technical debt. You will be a motivated people leader with technical expertise, and will lead and empower this team to deliver new data pipelines, capabilities and advanced data analysis in support of our wider intelligence mission.

You will shape the team's priorities and ensure that quality and timely products are delivered in line with user requirements, all while being able to pivot the team to new priorities as and where needed. You will have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships and engagements across the wider mission.

Key responsibilities The Technical Leader supports and provides input to the unit's business plan, designs data-driven solutions, and provides technical and personal guidance to their staff. You will have the opportunity to identify, design and lead projects that use unique datasets from a variety of sources and rapidly deliver new capabilities. In addition, you may be asked to assist the coordination of Intelligence Directorate's operational response to urgent or complex customer needs to ensure the security and wellbeing of New Zealand.

Who we’re looking for

• Have experience in a line-management role
• Have a passion for developing people
• Have a data engineering, data analysis, software development, or system engineering background
• Have a strong background in machine learning and artificial intelligence
• Engage with technical best practice and minimise technical debt across our infrastructure
• Seek out opportunities to improve capability
• Effectively prioritise incoming work and requests
• Enjoy working in a collaborative and creative work environment

Appointing range: $142,093 - $151,566

Before you apply

• Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years OR Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years
• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence, and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career. We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out some of our Security FAQs here: The security clearance process | Beyond Ordinary Careers You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service