Senior Data Engineer

Who we are | Ko wai mātou

At the University of Otago, our Digital Services Division is driving an ambitious transformation—building a modern, enterprise-scale data ecosystem that supports world-class teaching, research, and decision-making.

We’re collaborative, forward-thinking, and focused on doing meaningful work that has real impact across the University.

The role | Te mahi

We’re looking for a Senior Data Engineer with Databricks expertise to help shape and deliver our modern data platform.

In this hands-on role, you’ll design and build high-quality data pipelines, ensuring they are scalable, reliable, and cost-effective within a cloud-first environment. You’ll tackle complex data challenges - diagnosing issues, improving performance, and contributing to the ongoing evolution of our platform, standards, and ways of working.

You’ll be working across a broad, enterprise landscape but day to day, you’ll be part of a small, collaborative team where your voice is heard and your expertise is valued. As a senior engineer, you’ll also help lift capability across the team; mentoring and upskilling others as they grow their experience with Databricks.

What makes this opportunity stand out is the balance. You’ll be solving meaningful, technically interesting problems in a sophisticated environment all while working in a culture that is supportive, flexible, and genuinely people focused.

• Work from home up to 3 days a week.
• Enjoy a small-team feel within a larger organisation.
• Step out during the day - grab a coffee at a nearby café, walk the local sports grounds, or make use of the university gym just a short walk away.

What you’ll bring | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

• Deep hands-on expertise with Databricks and Spark-based platforms.
• Strong capability in SQL and Python (or similar data engineering languages).
• Experience working in cloud data environments (Azure preferred, AWS also valued).
• A track record of building and improving data solutions at scale.
• Practical knowledge of data modelling, data quality, and governance.
• Strength in problem-solving, optimisation, and troubleshooting.
• A collaborative, pragmatic approach and confidence working across technical and business teams.

Further details | Pūroko

This is a permanent, full-time (37.5 hours per week) position based in Ōtepoti, Dunedin.

We offer a salary aligned with current market rates, reflective of the skills and experience you bring, five weeks’ annual leave, and a 6.75% superannuation scheme - alongside a culture that truly supports balance and wellbeing.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this position.