Lead Test Engineer - Performance | Permanent | Wellington

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Lead Test Engineer - Performance | Permanent | Wellington

Lead the design and implementation of performance test frameworks.

Collaborate widely to embed best practices and continuous improvement.

Mentor and coach others to build capability and resilience in testing.

Drive quality and innovation by leading test performance and ensuring robust delivery across MSD's technology landscape.

Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.

Information Systems & Technology (IST) provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services today and into the future.

We're driving a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders.

IST is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.

About the role | Mo te tunga :

As a Lead Test Engineer - Performance in the IST Group, you'll take ownership of establishing robust, scalable, and effective test performance test frameworks for major delivery areas.

You'll play a pivotal role in ensuring our testing practices drive quality, reliability, and continuous improvement across MSD's technology landscape.

This role is permanent full time and is based in Wellington.

Key responsibilities include :

Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of performance test frameworks and approaches for large delivery areas.

Ensure testing processes and methodologies sufficiently mitigate risks and meet audit requirements.

Collaborate with QA Practice Leaders, IST peers, and external partners to drive consistent, high quality delivery.

Establish and monitor metrics and reports to track application / service quality and testing effectiveness.

Provide strategic guidance and expert advice on testing methods, tools, and process adoption.

Coach, mentor, and train QA and engineering practice members to grow test automation capability.

We're committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.

Proven experience leading performance testing and capacity planning in complex, high-scale environments, including security and compliance considerations.

Strong expertise in performance engineering, including load, stress, soak, spike, and scalability testing, with hands-on experience using tools such as JMeter, Gatling, k6, or NeoLoad.

Proficient in using APM and observability platforms, such as Dynatrace, New Relic, AppDynamics, or Datadog, to monitor performance, identify bottlenecks, and perform root cause analysis.

Strong technical foundation in cloud and distributed systems (e.g. AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, containers) with good understanding of architecture impacts on performance and scalability.

Experienced in defining and tracking performance metrics and SLIs / SLOs, including latency, throughput, error rates, and resource utilisation, and translating them into business outcomes.

Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable performance improvements by identifying bottlenecks and optimizing system performance.

Skilled in engaging stakeholders, presenting performance analysis to executives, and influencing architecture decisions using performance data.

Experienced in integrating performance testing into CI / CD pipelines and DevOps workflows, including automation and performance gates.

Good analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of conducting deep performance analysis across application, database, network, and infrastructure layers.

Proven ability to mentor and develop performance engineering skills within teams, including upskilling QA engineers.

Excellent communication skills, able to explain complex performance concepts and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Effective at collaborating with development, infrastructure, architecture, and product teams to embed performance engineering across the software lifecycle.

Salary | Utu-a-tau : $139,

• $170,

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation.

We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve.

We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

How to apply | Me pehea te tuku tono :

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note : Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

All applications must be made online.

If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work.

This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment.

We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity.

If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

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