Senior Analyst Tester | Kaitātari Whakamātautau Matua

The role | Te tūnga

Play a key part in building and improving information/data services and processes that help us ensure New Zealanders have quality data and statistics.

• Bring your formal testing experience and passion to contribute to new data platform testing strategies and focus on automation
• Work flexibly – including family-friendly hours
• Fixed term role till end of June 2027
• Christchurch based

We're looking for an experienced Senior Test Engineer to join our project team and play a key role in delivering high-quality, user-focused solutions.

In this role, you'll be responsible for planning and executing both functional and non-functional testing across a significant project or programme of work

Working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, you'll partner with a range of stakeholders to ensure solutions are robust, reliable, and fit for purpose.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of test strategies, plans, and approaches that support successful project delivery.
• Conduct both manual and automated testing to ensure solutions meet business requirements and deliver intended outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with project teams, fostering a culture of quality, continuous improvement, and shared accountability.
• Quickly develop an understanding of Stats NZ, including relevant business processes, surveys, and data domains.
• Identify, track, and manage defects using appropriate testing and defect management tools.
• Conduct test reviews to ensure appropriate coverage, adherence to quality standards, and alignment with best practices.

We're looking for a motivated and collaborative individual with:

• At least 5 years' experience in software testing, including experience in a Test Automation Engineer or similar role.
• Strong practical knowledge of SQL and Python.
• A solid understanding of testing methodologies, tools, and frameworks such as Python, Scala, and Selenium.
• Hands-on experience building and supporting automated testing frameworks using Pytest or similar tools.
• Experience working with CI/CD practices and tools such as Azure DevOps and Git.
• Knowledge of modern cloud-based data platforms, including Databricks and/or Snowflake.
• Experience designing, automating, and maintaining integration and regression test suites.
• Knowledge of Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD) practices and helping teams create effective, maintainable Gherkin scenarios.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong self-management skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to work effectively as part of a project team.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

We recognise that valuable skills can come from both paid and unpaid work. You might have gained experience in education, hospitality, technology, public service, the marae, or the arts. You might have experience from community involvement, volunteering, or whānau responsibilities. We welcome and value all forms of transferable skills. Please bring your full unique self to your application.

For all our roles, we’re looking for people who:

• Act with integrity, take responsibility, and do what’s right even when it’s hard.
• Understand the ‘why’ behind their work and focus on delivering real value.
• Stay curious and open to learning, seeing challenges as chances to grow.
• Build respectful and inclusive relationships, grounded in care for others.
• Work collaboratively across boundaries and contribute to collective outcomes.

We don’t expect you to know everything. What matters is your genuine interest, commitment, and readiness to grow with us. Tell us about yourself in your cover letter, what attracted you to this role, and what you would bring to Stats NZ.

About Us | Ko mātou

Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa is the National Statistics Office, leading the way in data and insights. While this is our focus, it’s our people who are central to everything we do. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, recognising that our work is strengthened by the people behind it.

The data and insights we produce help shape decisions across government, communities, and businesses, and plays an important role in telling the story of Aotearoa New Zealand. Our mahi supports informed decision making at both national and local levels, helping improve outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.

We’re proud of the role we play in guiding and strengthening the data system, with a goal of delivering high quality data with equitable access for all.

What’s in it for you? | Ngā hua ka riro ki a koe

Take a look at our Stats NZ careers site to learn more about our organisational values: He pēwhea ā tātou tikanga mahi | The way we work.

Some key benefits include:

• 37.5 hours work week.
• 15 days sick leave allowance (to be used for yourself or people under your care).
• 3 extra days off (taken during end-of-year office closure).
• Annual flu vaccines.
• Funded counselling and coaching through our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Visual and hearing health benefits
• Corporate rates for a variety of services and products.
• Study assistance programmes.
• Rōpū Waiata – weekly cross agency connection.
• An active social club in each office.

Starting salary for this position: $90,599 - $122,575 + kiwisaver

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Sound like you? Click ’Apply now’ to be redirected to the application page on our careers site. The position description is located on the right-hand side of the page.

Our process is to screen applications as we receive them, so we move to interview stage quickly. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video.

Please let us know in your application if we need to make any specific accommodations during our process.

Please reach out to recruitment@stats.govt.nz if you have any pātai / questions.

Note to recruitment agencies: unsolicited CVs will not be accepted.