Principal Cloud Data Engineer | Kaipūhanga Raraunga Kapua Mātāmua

Salary: $134,769 - $182,335 + kiwisaver

The role | Te tūnga

As a Principal Cloud Data Engineer, you will play a key leadership role in designing, building, and evolving modern cloud-native data platforms that enable the secure, reliable, and effective use of data across the organisation. Working within a multidisciplinary platform team, you'll lead complex initiatives spanning platform modernisation, large-scale data migration, automation, engineering excellence, and operational improvement.

This fixed-term opportunity (open to Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch locations) offers the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies including Azure Databricks, Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and Azure cloud services while contributing to nationally significant programmes such as the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) modernisation, Monthly Consumers Price Index, and broader migration to the Stats NZ Data Platform.

You will provide technical leadership across platform architecture, cloud engineering, governance, and delivery, while driving reusable solutions, modern engineering practices, and continuous improvement. You'll also partner with stakeholders across Stats NZ to deliver scalable, secure, and sustainable data capabilities that support evidence-based decision-making for New Zealand.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

You are an experienced technical leader who takes an enterprise-wide view, balances strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, and thrives in complex environments.

You'll bring:

• Proven experience at Principal Engineer level, (at least 7 years) or in a comparable senior technical leadership role.
• Deep expertise in Azure Databricks, Python, Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and Azure data services.
• Extensive experience designing, building, migrating, and optimising enterprise-scale cloud data platforms.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, data modelling, data quality, metadata management, and data lineage.
• Expertise in modern DevOps and CI/CD practices, including tools such as Azure DevOps, Terraform, Git, and ARM/Bicep.
• A strong focus on automation, security, reliability, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Experience delivering shared platform capabilities that support multiple teams and programmes.
• Sound understanding of cloud security, compliance, resilience, monitoring, and operational support within regulated environments.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business outcomes.
• The ability to influence, coach, and guide engineers, architects, delivery teams, and senior stakeholders.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of cloud data engineering in government, helping build and evolve a platform that will support the future production and use of data across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We 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 whānau responsibilities. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.

For all our roles, we’re looking for people who:

• Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do what’s right even when it’s 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 don’t 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 mātou

Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, it’s 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.

We’re 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.

What’s in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

Take a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pēwhea ā tātou 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 benefits
• Corporate rates for a variety of services and products.
• Study assistance programmes.
• Rōpū Waiata – weekly cross agency connection.
• An active social club in each office.

Starting salary for this position: $134,769 - $182,335 + kiwisaver

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Sound 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 [email protected] if you have any pātai / questions.

Note to recruitment agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.