Solutions Architect

Job title:Solutions Architect

Role type: Full-time, Fixed term to March 2029

Location: Wellington or Auckland

Salary band \& range: BTIS - C $130,021 to $165,000 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

As a Solutions Architect, you will partner closely with business teams and technical stakeholders across the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to shape and deliver solution architectures across a diverse portfolio of technology initiatives. You will ensure solutions are well designed, pragmatic, and aligned to organisational goals, supporting successful delivery across MPI's highly visible and impactful work programme.

This role is dedicated to designing and delivering appropriate technology solutions for the Plant Health Environment Capability (PHEC) programme. This facility is a critical piece of science infrastructure not only for the Ministry for Primary but the wider NZ Primary sectors. The role supports the design of solution architectures providing foundational technology systems for a new laboratory capability under construction in Mt Albert.

The Solutions Architect defines, reviews and champions solution designs through the MPI architecture governance processes, balancing a strong delivery focus with sound judgement and experience particularly concerning data, privacy and security. Working within a uniquely New Zealand public sector context, you will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including vendors and service providers to design resilient and aligned and fit for purpose solutions. This role requires a self-starting, adaptable professional who can confidently communicate complex concepts in plain language to a wider cross section of people. The individual must be able to build trusted relationships, and bring a pragmatic, outcome-driven approach to deliver successful change.

In this role, you will:

• Define, maintain, and communicate solution architecture designs
• Support delivery of solution designs across complex, high-priority initiatives
• Work constructively and collegially with a wide range of business and technical stakeholders
• Build strong, trusted relationships during business, technical, and vendor engagements
• Present and advocate for architectural designs through MPI Architecture governance forums
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear and easily understood terms and plain language
• Apply architecture expertise across diverse technology platforms and domains
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills
• Bring initiative, sound judgement, experience and an outcome-focused approach to delivery
• Apply an understanding of software application development practices and technology lifecycles

About You - Mou

You are an experienced Solutions Architect with a proven record of delivering complex solution architecture solutions and designs. You have strong technical foundations and a well-rounded background that may include cloud, infrastructure, data, or business applications, enabling you to confidently shape end-to-end solutions. Experience within the New Zealand public sector is strongly preferred, though candidates from the private sector will be considered where they can demonstrate strong alignment with government context, including awareness of governance, privacy, and delivery expectations.

You are a confident communicator who can engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, building trust quickly and tailoring your approach to suit different audiences. You bring a practical, delivery-oriented mindset, strong professional instincts, and the ability to work independently to tight timeframes. Adaptable and personable, you are comfortable working in high-visibility environments and contributing to significant programmes such as the PHEC initiative, where your solutions will support long-term capability. You value collaboration, bring a constructive approach to your work, and are motivated by meaningful outcomes that contribute to New Zealand's public good.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience delivering as a Solutions Architect across multiple large, complex programmes
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven ability to develop clear architectural models, artefacts, and transition states
• Broad technical knowledge across platforms such as cloud, infrastructure, data, or enterprise applications
• A self-starter mindset with high levels of initiative and accountability
• Confidence working independently and managing competing priorities to meet deadlines
• A pragmatic, adaptable approach with sound judgement and professional credibility
• Experience working across varied environments, with an understanding of NZ public sector context advantageous
• Exposure to platform technologies particularly Salesforce, or similar enterprise platforms, is highly desirable but not essential

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

You will join a group of experienced Solutions Architects within MPI's Business Technology \& Information Services (BT\&IS) Architecture and Assurance function, bringing together strong capability across domain, portfolio, and programme architecture. This role sits within a dedicated PHEC programme architecture team, working alongside a broader cohort of Wellington based professionals who collectively support MPI's diverse and evolving technology landscape. The team combines a wide range of technical backgrounds and perspectives, creating a collaborative environment that values knowledge sharing and practical problem-solving.

MPI operates across a complex and modernised environment, with established enterprise platforms including M365, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, Salesforce, and hybrid cloud services hosted on either AWS or Azure. The team is focused on enabling effective and efficient delivery of technology change by making best use of these platforms. You'll be part of a function that supports highly visible work impacting New Zealanders, contributing to outcomes across a wide range of areas through a steady pipeline of meaningful and varied initiatives.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it - click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday 29 June 2026

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]

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