Data Engineer

Salary: Salary starts at $129,277

Company description:

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 15,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We're working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business' and achieve long-term change.

Job description:

Data Engineer - NZ Financial Intelligence Unit

• Based in Wellington or Auckland
• Fixed Term Full Time to 30 June 2027
• JR 6078382

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

The New Zealand Financial Intelligence Unit (NZFIU) sits at the centre of New Zealand's efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing, fraud, organised crime, and other serious financial crimes.

The NZFIU is undertaking a significant transformation programme to strengthen New Zealand's financial intelligence capability. As part of this work, we are seeking a highly capable Data Engineer to deliver a foundational uplift of the NZFIU's data environment.

This is not a traditional operational support role. Instead, you will help build the technical foundations that will enable advanced analytics, automation, machine learning, intelligence products, and future intelligence platform capabilities.

Working alongside data analysts, data scientists, intelligence practitioners, and ICT specialists, you will assess the current environment, establish standards, improve pipelines and documentation, reduce technical debt, and leave behind a sustainable and maintainable data ecosystem.

Key Accountabilities:

• Data Platform Improvement - Assess and document the current data environment, identifying technical risks, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. Design and implement improvements to data architecture and data flows.
• Data Engineering and Automation - Develop, optimise, and maintain data pipelines. Improve reliability, performance, and scalability of data processes. Support automation and integration across NZFIU systems.
• Technical Standards and Governance - Establish coding, documentation, and development standards. Improve data quality, lineage, governance, and metadata practices. Reduce technical debt and improve maintainability.
• Enable Advanced Analytics - Ensure data structures support business intelligence, advanced analytics, modelling, and future AI initiatives. Work closely with Data Scientists and Intelligence Analysts to support operational outcomes.
• Capability Transfer - Create clear documentation and knowledge products. Build capability within the permanent Data Insights & Operations team. Ensure solutions are sustainable beyond the fixed-term period.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you'll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

You will be an experienced Data Engineer or technical data professional who can combine hands-on delivery with strategic thinking. Ideally you will have:

• Strong SQL, XML and data engineering experience.
• Experience designing and maintaining ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Knowledge of cloud and enterprise data environments.
• Experience working with data modelling, architecture, governance and quality frameworks.
• Experience supporting and optimising analytics and reporting platforms.
• Strong documentation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.
• Experience within intelligence, law enforcement, government, financial services, or regulated environments would be advantageous.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

• The successful applicant must reside in Auckland or Wellington or be willing to relocate.
• Current CPK at the rank of the vacancy you are applying for (Senior Sergeant Constabulary only).
• For both Constabulary & Police Employees:
  • Agree to enrol in a leadership programme at the advertised level, at a future date or
  • Have qualified under CEP or a previous Career Progression Framework at the level you are applying for.

This role is Individual Contributor level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

Security Clearance Requirements

To be eligible for this role, you may be asked to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET national security clearance.

The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:

NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or:

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or
• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

[external link]

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government's largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you'll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL:

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement, and salary will commence at $129,277 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm Monday 19th October 2026 Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Talent Pathway Advisor zinta.walsh@police.govt.nz