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Principal Software Developer - Christchurch or Wellington Location

Summary

Leads internal software engineering practice, sets technical direction, and builds scalable solutions (data, AI, workflows) for a NZ org; hands-on coding with Principal-level influence.

About the Company

Our client is a large New Zealand organisation investing significantly in data, digital, AI and engineering capability. With ambitious plans to rethink how technology supports the business, they’re building an internal software engineering practice focused on delivering modern, scalable solutions and meaningful business outcomes.

About the Role

This is a hands-on Principal Software Engineer role with significant influence. You’ll help establish the engineering practice, set technical direction and architecture, and build production software. Working closely with business stakeholders, you’ll tackle everything from data-driven applications to workflow automation and emerging AI-enabled solutions.

Skills & Experience
  • Significant experience as a hands-on Principal or Tech Lead Software Engineer
  • Strong full-stack capability with deep expertise in modern backend engineering
  • Architecture and system design experience, including integrations and scalable cloud solutions
  • Experience with C#/.NET, Azure, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, React or equivalent modern technologies
  • Strong engineering practices across automated testing, CI/CD, security and maintainable architecture
  • Ability to mentor engineers, establish standards and influence technical direction
  • Strong stakeholder skills and confidence translating business problems into practical technical solutions
Why Work Here?
  • Establish the engineering culture, standards and ways of working for a new internal capability
  • Remain close to the code while operating with Principal-level technical influence
  • Genuine autonomy to challenge technology choices and recommend better approaches
  • Work with AI coding tools and explore automation, AI-assisted engineering and agentic workflows
  • Broad technical problems spanning software, data, integrations and business-critical workflows
  • Flexible, hybrid working
If you’re an experienced engineer who still loves building but wants the opportunity to shape architecture, engineering practices and a growing capability, this is a rare chance to have real influence from day one.

Apply today or contact christina@talent.army for more information.

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