Solution Architect

Role overview

New Zealand Customs Service is seeking a Solution Architect for a full-time permanent position in Wellington. In this role, you will shape technology solutions that create measurable business impact, support secure and scalable delivery, and help guide the use of AI and other emerging technologies where they add value.

You will work across business and technology teams to turn complex needs into practical, future-ready solutions that align with strategic priorities, security expectations, and delivery standards.

What you will do

• Design solution architectures end to end across applications, data, integration, infrastructure, and cloud.
• Create high-level and detailed designs, along with solution options and cost estimates to support decisions.
• Assess risks, dependencies, and trade-offs, then provide clear recommendations.
• Partner with stakeholders to understand business requirements and align solutions with strategy.
• Support delivery teams during implementation, testing, and handover into operations.
• Offer trusted architectural guidance and contribute to standards, frameworks, and governance.

What the role involves

As a Solution Architect, you will guide the delivery of technology solutions that meet business needs and fit Customs’ architecture principles and strategic direction. You will collaborate with stakeholders, delivery teams, and vendors to translate requirements into sustainable solutions across multiple technology domains.

The position plays an important role in making sure solutions remain secure, resilient, and suitable throughout their lifecycle.

What you will bring

• Experience designing and delivering solution architecture in complex enterprise settings.
• Ability to convert business needs into workable technology outcomes.
• Broad understanding of applications, cloud, integration, and infrastructure.
• Strong communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A collaborative mindset, curiosity about AI and emerging technology, and experience working with agile, project, and product teams.

Why join Customs

This is a chance to contribute to meaningful work that supports New Zealand’s border operations while being part of a collaborative, forward-looking environment. You will help influence technology direction, work with diverse stakeholders, and deliver solutions with real impact.

Application and employment conditions

This is a full-time permanent role based in Wellington.

To be eligible for this role, you must be a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident and be able to obtain and maintain security clearance to Confidential level. Because of the nature of the work, a clear police record is required, and successful candidates must also pass a drug test.

For permanent residents and citizens, the residency requirement is as follows: you must have lived continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and be residing in New Zealand at the time of application; or you may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six months or less within the past five years, preferably while in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or the United States of America, and you will need to provide overseas police certificates for those periods spent outside New Zealand.

Applications close at 11pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026. Applications may be shortlisted as they are received, so the role may close earlier than the stated date.

New Zealand Customs Service will manage this recruitment directly and is not working with recruitment agencies for this vacancy. The organisation is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities, and welcomes applications from people who meet the role requirements.