Assoicate Director Technology - Data Platforms

Position: Associate Director Technology – Data Platforms 

Location: Auckland / Christchurch, New Zealand 

Travel: Potential travel within the ANZ region on occasion 

Simple Machines. Data Engineered to Life™ 

Simple Machines is a leading independent boutique technology firm with a global presence, including teams in London, Sydney, San Francisco, and New Zealand. We specialise in creating technology solutions at the intersection of data, AI, machine learning, data engineering, and software engineering. Our mission is to help enterprises, technology companies, and governments better connect with and understand their organisations, their people, their customers, and citizens. We are a team of creative engineers and technologists dedicated to unleashing the potential of data in new and impactful ways. We design and build bespoke data platforms and unique software products, create and deploy intelligent systems, and bring engineering expertise to life by transforming data into actionable insights and tangible outcomes. We engineer data to life™. 

The Role: 

This is a client facing role, where you will work closely with our Director Client Strategy and our Director Client Delivery to discover client requirements, design/architect complex enterprise solutions, present proposed solutions and successfully deliver compelling market leading projects. As the trusted advisor to our clients, you will provide technical thought leadership, drive innovation and support our internal engineering teams in delivering great outcomes. 

Technical Responsibilities 

We specialise in architecting modern data platforms, enabling use-cases on top of these and designing and building data driven greenfield software applications and products. We are looking for someone who can bring thought leadership and deep expertise in each of these practice areas. 
 

Ideally you will have experience in the following areas: 

• Architecting contemporary enterprise data platforms or data intensive solutions 
• Software architecture and development for data driven applications 
• Working directly with customers to gather requirements, develop architectures and translates business needs into solutions. 
• Decomposition of solution architectures into iterative deliverables 
• Familiarity with event driven application design and real-time systems (Kafka/Kinesis etc.) 
• Contemporary cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) 
• Modern dev ops practices (docker/kubernetes/CI/CD) 
• Contemporary data processing technologies (Spark, Flink, others) and concepts 
• Data governance, monitoring and lineage 
• Awareness and potential experience with machine learning, decisioning system, rules engines, analytics 
• The broader ecosystem of data related technologies. 

 Consulting Responsibilities 

• Partner with New Business and Client Partners through the pre-sales, sales, and account management process. You’ll respond to client requirements and identify opportunities for their success and continual improvement through their data, and our consulting and engineering 
• Facilitate workshops and client meetings to clearly understand client needs and convert them into compelling technical responses (proposal, solution design, architecture, road maps and more) 
• Partner with internal and external engineering teams, delivery leads and the broader business as Technical Leader for consulting, architecture, integration, and software delivery engagements  

Ideal Skills and Experience

We’re looking for someone who’s as passionate as we are about building a world-class technology company specialising in engineering for data. 

• Above all, be a great internal and external communicator. You’ll possess a hospitality mindset in managing and engaging collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels, inside and outside the business 
• Lead from the front and by example. You’ll take true ownership of tasks, taking responsibility for goals and outcomes 
• Act as an excellent role model for your peers and the entire Simple Machines team 
• Bring a genuine fit-for-purpose mindset to everything that you do 
• Strong architecture, engineering, client engagement and communication skills are an absolute must 
• Utilise iterative delivery practices and principles  
• Demonstrate a genuine passion for technology and continually learning – a growth mindset that believes there is always, always more to know 
• Exhibit a humble, low-ego attitude. 

Professional Experience and Qualifications 

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field 
• Professional Experience: At least 10+ years related experience in an Architecture role, with a proven track record of design and delivery complex Data/Data driven/Software projects. 
• Certification: Professional Cloud Architecture (Google Cloud/GCP or AWS). 

Join Us: 

Simple Machines is a diverse and globally distributed team of individual talents. Everyone in the firm is among the best at what they do. That’s why they’re here. We have a collective obsession with the future and a passion to create real change through technology. If you’re someone who’s as passionate as we are about building a world-class technology company specialising in engineering for data, you’ll fit right in. 

What We Offer in New Zealand: 

• Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package. 
• Annual Leave: 4 weeks standard  
• Your Day - No Questions Asked: One additional day off per year, no explanation required! 
• Regular Lunches: We provide gourmet lunches on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 
• Professional Development: $ 1,500 annual budget for training, courses, and conferences, with potential for additional funding. 
• Certifications: $ 2,500 annual budget for certifications and related courses. 
• Company Sick Leave: 10 days per annum.