Principal Cloud Test Engineer| Kaipūkaha Whakamātau Kapua Mātāmua

Fixed-term or secondment opportunity until June 2027 The role |Tetūnga Play a key role in the data development and delivery as part of our Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) project, here at Stats NZ. The IDI is a world first in leading the integration of datasets to link information from key Government agencies, surveys and NGO’s, to translate into better social outcomes for all New Zealanders. More information on the programme of work can be found in the link below; Integrated Data Infrastructure | Stats NZ In this newly created fixed term role, the Principal Cloud Test Engineer will be part of a multidisciplinary team in shaping and advancing our cloud and infrastructure platforms for the IDI, through automation, modern engineeringpracticesand technical leadership. This is an opportunity to work with leading cloud and data technologies, complex and diverse data, and solutions of national significance. The systems and services supported by the team contribute to nationally important statistics, research, public services, and evidence-based decision-making. This role requires a senior practitioner who can provide technical and thought leadership across the full quality-engineering lifecycle. You will influence architecture, design, delivery, and engineering decisions influencing delivery needs with long‑term testability, resilience, maintainability, and platform maturity. Scope of the role includes: Leading the adoption of modern quality-engineering practices across the Data Platform team and associated delivery initiatives through standards, governance, coaching, and technical leadership. Developing andmaintainingthe Data Platform quality-engineering approach, including test automation, data quality, assurance practices, reusable frameworks, and quality controls. Establishing and embedding automation-first practices, including CI/CD-integrated testing, automated quality gates, and repeatable assurance processes. Designing and evolving reusable test architectures, frameworks, tooling, and patterns that support multiple teams, products, and programmes. Providingtechnical guidance across usability, accessibility, scalability, security, reliability, performance, maintainability, operational resilience, and business continuity. Contributing to standards for ingestion, transformation, data quality, lineage, observability, security, privacy, controls, and operational resilience. Evaluating emerging testing technologies, techniques, and practices and applying those that provide demonstrable value. Producing clear test strategies, technical documentation, that support sustainable ownership by internal teams. Driving continuous improvement using evidence from testing outcomes, defects, incidents, operational performance, and delivery feedback. What you bring |Nōuterourou The ideal candidate will take a holistic, enterprise-wide perspective. You will engage with technical and business stakeholders to understand their priorities, assess delivery and operational risks, and help ensure that data services are secure, reliable, scalable, and fit for purpose. You will bring: Proven experience operating at Principal Test Engineer level, or in an equivalent senior technical leadership role. Deep experience designing and implementing test automation architectures and frameworks that are scalable, maintainable, reusable, and integrated with CI/CD pipelines. Strong full-stack engineering capability, with sound technical judgement across architecture, data, applications, APIs, integration, performance, and maintainability. Senior-level experience working with modern cloud platforms and cloud-native engineering practices. Experience testing data platforms, data pipelines, analytical solutions, distributed systems, or other complex data-intensive services. The ability to work through ambiguity, balancing delivery and platform stability with longer‑term quality and architectural direction. A strong engineering mindset, with a focus on quality, resilience, scalability, automation, security, and operational excellence. Pragmatic, risk‑based advice that supports compliance with organisational policies, quality standards, security controls, and regulatory requirements. Well‑developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and present detailed information in plain language. Excellent judgement and sound decision‑making skills, with the ability to mitiagate risks to focus on value. To confidently coach, influence and mentor across delivery teams. This role offers the opportunity to work at the leading edge of cloud data engineering and quality engineering within government. You will work with complex and diverse data, contribute to solutions of national significance, and help shape how quality is engineered into the platforms Stats NZ will depend on into the future. Forallour roles,we’relooking for people who: Act with integrity, take responsibility, and dowhat’sright even whenit’shard. 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. Wedon’texpect 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.We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application. Stats NZTataurangaAotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus,it’sour 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 playsan important rolein 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’reproud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data withequitableaccess for all. What’sin it for you? |Ngāhuakariroki akoe Take a lookat our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: Hepēwheaātātoutikanga 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). Funded counselling and coaching through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Visual and hearing health benefits (for permanentkaimahi). Corporate rates for a variety of services and products. Studyassistanceprogrammes. An activesocialclubin each office. Starting salary for this position:$119,795 - $162,075+kiwisaver You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand. Background and various pre-employment checks are part of our recruitment process. Please reach out to***********@stats.govt.nzif you have anypātai/ questions. #J-18808-Ljbffr