Solutions Architect

Location: Wellington
Discipline: Government
Job type: Permanent
Salary: 130000 to 165000
Contact name: Matt Frizzell
Contact email: matt@placeme.nz
Job ref: 1606007
Published: 17 days ago
The Opportunity

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for a seasoned Solutions Architect to join a high-visibility New Zealand government agency in Wellington. You will define solution architectures for a diverse range of technology-related projects, ensuring designs are pragmatic, well-governed, and aligned with mission-critical organisational goals. This role is central to a major work programme, including a transition to cloud platforms and the modernisation of core infrastructure.
 
The Work
  • Project Diversity: You will lead architectural designs for varied initiatives, ranging from Tier 1 national programmes to innovative AI applications in environmental sustainability.
  • Architecture Governance: You will be responsible for sponsoring and advocating for your designs through internal governance boards and Infosec forums.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: You will build trusted relationships across technical and business teams, translating complex technical concepts into clear plain English.
  • Strategic Modernisation: Your work will involve investigating technical options, reviewing vendor designs, and supporting the migration of complex legacy systems to AWS or Azure environments.
About You
  • Government Expertise: You bring at least six years of experience as a successful Solutions Architect, with a strong preference for experience within a large, complex New Zealand government agency.
  • Self-Reliance: This role requires an architect who has "the fundamentals nailed" and does not require hand-holding; you must be comfortable working independently to sharp deadlines.
  • Resilience: You possess a professional, calm disposition and the patience required to navigate the unique cultural and bureaucratic hurdles of the public sector.
  • Technical Breadth: You are a generalist with experience across software, cloud, network, or data domains, ideally with exposure to Salesforce, M365, or ArcGIS platforms.
  • Modelling Skills: You are proficient in creating clear models and documentation for target and transitional states using tools such as Sparx Enterprise Architect.
       
The Team and Culture
You will join a quiet, professional, and efficient team of eight architects focused on effective technical delivery. The environment is "get-shit-done" and highly pragmatic, valuing individuals who take initiative and maintain a professional outlook. The management style is flexible and supportive of team wellbeing, provided work is delivered effectively.


Details and Benefits
  • Workplace Flexibility: The agency operates with a policy of four days in the office and one day working from home, with Thursday serving as a mandatory "anchor day" for the whole team.
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    Leave & Wellness: Benefits include additional organisational leave days, the ability to purchase extra annual leave, and an annual wellness payment.
      
       
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About placeMe IT ��
placeMe IT is all about connecting the right candidate with the right job in IT.  We promote diversity in the workplace and have a human-first approach, striving for meaningful connections.  If you feel like you don't cover every base for this role, that's fine and natural; we encourage you to apply anyway.  It's rare that somebody ticks every box!