Mō te tūnga | About the role
Join more than 15,000 New Zealanders working for the NZ Defence Force and directly contribute to the defence, security and well-being of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We’re looking for a highly skilled Senior Engineer to help us design, build, and evolve our cloud platforms. If you’re passionate about automation, cloud-native architecture, and enabling product teams to move fast and safely, this could be the perfect role for you.
As a Senior Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping and maintaining our cloud environments. You’ll collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver scalable, secure, and reliable cloud solutions. You’ll also help mature our platform capabilities, uplift engineering practices, and influence architectural direction.
This will include:
- Designing, implementing, and optimising cloud infrastructure (Azure)
- Building automation pipelines, IaC, and selfservice cloud capabilities
- Ensuring environments are secure, observable, and cost effective
- Troubleshooting complex cloud and platform issues
- Contributing to architectural decisions and cloud strategy
- Mentoring engineers and champion good engineering practices
- Driving continuous improvement across the platform and DevOps toolchains
- Knowledge of Cloud Adoption and Well-Architected Frameworks.
Once you have undergone training and are up to speed, there may be a requirement to go on an on-call roster for which you will be compensated.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience
We are seeking an experienced Senior Engineer who has worked across large, multifaceted organisations. You’ll bring excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team focused approach.
Ideally you will also bring:
- 5+ years in cloud engineering, platform engineering, or DevOps
- Strong expertise with cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, Networking)
- Experience with Identity and Access Management systems (Active Directory, Entra ID)
- Experience with Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) includes development of Container Images and management of Container Platforms
- Solid experience with IaC (Terraform, Bicep)
- CI/CD skills (Gitlab, Azure DevOps)
- Strong scripting or programming experience (PowerShell, Bash, Ansible)
- Knowledge of cloud security, monitoring, and cost management
- Knowledge of supporting Windows and RHEL operating systems at an Enterprise level
- Experience operating production workloads at scale
- Excellent problem solving and communication skills
- Ideally experience in platform engineering or building internal developer platforms
- Ideally certifications in Azure
Please note: As this role requires a high level of security clearance, you will need to be / have been a NZ, UK, Australian, Canadian or USA citizen for a minimum of 10 years to be eligible for this role.
The successful candidate is required to undergo a psychological assessment as part of the pre-employment security vetting process.
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 requires occasional domestic travel, you will need to have a Class 1 Full Driver’s Licence.
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. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.
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. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply
Applications close on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
Use the links on this page where you’ll be directed to the Defence Careers website.
Please Note:
- All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues.
- Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
- Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.
NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.
NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.
NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.
Please Note:
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 for at least the last ten (10) years.
- 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.
- To obtain this level of clearance, you must have a background history of fifteen (15) years 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.
