Principal Enterprise Architect

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

NZ Transport Agency is seeking a Principal Enterprise Architect to lead architecture strategy, reference architectures and roadmaps across the Regulatory & Customer domain, ensuring enterprise-wide alignment while governing digital risk, cost and complexity. You will build architecture maturity through leadership, mentoring and collaboration with senior stakeholders, translating strategy into deliverable outcomes in Auckland or Wellington. The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in a principal role, proven success in regulated, customer centric environments, TOGAF and Archimate fluency, and a track record of shaping roadmaps, playbooks and patterns. Apply with CV and cover letter; early applications are encouraged as shortlisting may begin before close on 15 March 2026.

• Lead enterprise-wide architecture strategy, reference architectures, and roadmaps with strong alignment

• Define and govern current and future architectures, managing digital risk, cost, and complexity across Transport

• Build architecture maturity through leadership, mentoring, and strategic collaboration with senior stakeholders

• Wellington or Auckland based opportunity

The NZTA Architecture Chapter is a forward‑looking capability team comprising Principal Enterprise Architects, Enterprise Architects, and Solution Architects. The team is focused on standardising, simplifying, and modernising the NZTA digital environment, while delivering incremental speed‑to‑value today. Our people collaborate across the full Strategy‑to‑Operate lifecycle, designing architectures that support all NZTA Waka Kotahi strategies, emerging business needs, and key initiatives.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Principal Enterprise Architect is responsible for developing and maintaining NZTA’s reference architectures, roadmaps, and strategies within the Regulatory & Customer domain, while ensuring enterprise-wide alignment. Working collaboratively across digital delivery functions, the role ensures effective architecture governance that is quickly translated into actionable, deliverable outcomes.

This role performs a business‑critical function, bringing strong business and technical expertise to define and enable the enterprise‑level architectures needed to support the Regulatory & Customer domain’s current and future state. As a member of the Digital Domain Leadership team, the position also contributes to managing digital risk, cost, and complexity across the existing architecture landscape.

You will also support the Architecture Chapter Lead in strengthening architecture maturity, mentoring solution architects, and providing strategic technology advice and leadership. It works collaboratively across the enterprise with senior leaders, including ELT executives and General Managers, as well as with partners, suppliers, and alliances.

You will find out more about the role here: Position Description

Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience working as a Principal Enterprise Architect (5 years plus)

• Excellent knowledge and experience in heavily regulated and customer centric industries.

• Significant experience in the collaborative development of Enterprise Architecture strategies, reference architectures, roadmaps, blueprints, and actionable plans.

• Proven experience in leading, influencing and building credibility across a range of stakeholders.

• Significant experience working in complex business, delivery, and architecture environments.

• A track record of unpacking architecture landscapes and optimising towards a future state.

• Extensive experience and ability to synthesise complex and / or technical and business information to tell our story and sell the story of digital change resulting in delivered transformation.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritise the creation of organisational value in the now while actively considering the future and helping the organisation to balance the tension between the two when making decisions.

• Proven experience in contributing to the maturity of Enterprise Architecture capability.

• Proven experience in the integration of solutions into an existing environment that includes ‘-as-a-Service’, COTS, and custom developed services while planned simplification is delivered.

• Significant understanding of modern data services, B2C and B2C capabilities, digital twin, digital engineering as well as a understanding of the underlying technologies.

• Knowledge and experience in proactive technology risk management.

• Experience in mentoring and guiding architects and developing architecture playbooks, patterns and standards.

• Experience in working in enterprise-wide agile environments and operating models.

• A current working knowledge of TOGAF and use of the Archimate modelling language.

You will also demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector.

Mō mātou | About us

Te Aukaha | Digital strengthens Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency by enabling digital change and delivering future-focused solutions. Our teams design, deliver, and support digital capabilities that help connect people, products, and places across Aotearoa, while meeting legislative and government requirements.

Ka whiwhi koe i te aha | What you will get in return

You’ll be part of an organisation with a clear purpose and strong values, where your work has a meaningful, nationwide impact. We offer:

• A competitive salary, commensurate with skills and experience

• Flexible working arrangements (role dependent)

• Five weeks’ annual leave

• Income protection and critical illness insurance for permanent employees

• A supportive, values-led culture focused on collaboration and impact

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Ready to shape the future of enterprise architecture?
Click Apply to submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:

For further information, email: [email protected]

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.