Data Engineer

Job Description:

Te Ratonga Tautoko Hangarau | Digital Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)
• Salary - $108,459 - $130,000 p.a., based on skills and experience
• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Data Engineer? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

You will design, build, and maintain modern data pipelines and trusted data products that power analytics, reporting, and data-driven decision-making across the University. Working with technologies such as Snowflake, Databricks, SQL, and Python, you will develop scalable data solutions that deliver high-quality, well-governed data to support the University's strategic and operational needs.

Working closely with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Analysts, and stakeholders across the University, you will transform data from enterprise systems into reliable, accessible, and reusable data assets. You will contribute to modern data engineering practices, including automation, testing, CI/CD, data quality, and lakehouse architecture, helping to build a robust data platform that supports analytics, reporting, and future AI initiatives.

Mōu | Who You Are
You are a technically capable Data Engineer who enjoys solving complex data challenges and building trusted data solutions that enable better decision-making. You are passionate about modern data platforms and take pride in delivering high-quality, well-engineered data products. You will be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Minimum 4 years' experience in Data Engineering or a related field.
• Strong experience building data pipelines using SQL, Python, Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, or similar technologies.
• Experience working with cloud platforms such as Azure and/or AWS.
• Experience designing and supporting modern data warehouse, lakehouse, or data platform architectures.
• Experience implementing data quality, automation, testing, and CI/CD practices.
• Good understanding of data modelling, data integration, and data governance principles.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with Data Scientists, Analysts, and other technical teams.
• Experience in the tertiary education sector or other large, complex organisations would be an advantage.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will work closely with Data Scientists, Data Analysts, Researchers, Platform Engineers, and project teams across the University. Collaborating with faculties, professional services teams, and Digital Services colleagues to deliver data products and platforms that enable impactful research, teaching, and business outcomes.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 11 August 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.