Principal Architect - Application Services

Overview

• Bring your technical leadership, direction, guidance and expertise
• Lead solution design, technical governance, and risk management
• Work across a portfolio of enterprise and mission critical solutions

Collaborate closely with Principal Architects & wider Strategy & Architecture community, contributing to the creation & ongoing refinement of ICT portfolio plans & roadmaps.

Transpower is the commercially focused and regulated State-Owned Enterprise that owns and operates the National Grid. At the very heart of the energy sector, we transport electricity from where it is generated to large electricity users and the distribution companies who deliver it to homes and businesses nationwide.

To play an active role in decarbonising the economy and reducing emissions through accelerated electrification, we continue to improve, accelerate, and scale as we look towards rapidly growing demand for clean energy, new technology, more complex power flows, and changing customer and consumer expectations.

About the team

Our Application Services team helps ensure that electricity is delivered to all New Zealanders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by maintaining and evolving complex critical IT systems. The business domain we work within ensures there are always new and interesting challenges to tackle and that the work we do matters - electricity is essential to our economy, our health system and the wellbeing of our citizens.

We\'ve been changing at a rapid pace, using new technologies to engineer modern web / mobile applications, intelligent AI / ML embedded automation to streamline workflows and functions, adopting open-source software and DevOps methodologies to accelerate product delivery.

About the opportunity

As a senior leader within our Application Services team, you will drive solution architecture, technical leadership, and governance across a portfolio of enterprise and mission-critical IT projects.

Your role will focus on designing, developing, and enhancing both custom-built and commercial solutions, leveraging modern technologies, open-source platforms, and reusable frameworks to address complex business challenges.

Where applicable you will play a key part in the selection, evaluation, and implementation of commercial off the shelf (COTS) and software as a service (SaaS) products, ensuring these solutions effectively complement and extend our internally developed capabilities.

In addition, you\'ll collaborate closely with Principal Architects and the wider Strategy and Architecture community, contributing to the creation and ongoing refinement of Transpower's ICT portfolio plans and roadmaps.

Your architectural leadership will help ensure that Information Services & Technology (IST) solutions are fit-for-purpose, cost-effective, and aligned with both immediate business needs and our long-term strategic direction. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact—shaping the future of our technology landscape, supporting our people, and contributing to the ongoing success of Transpower and the wider New Zealand energy sector.

What you\'ll bring

You bring extensive expertise across all facets of ICT service architecture, design, delivery, and operations, complemented by outstanding communication skills that enable you to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at every level.

You have a proven track record of leading the technical delivery of complex, architecturally significant projects—taking full accountability for end-to-end solutions and championing both technology and innovative business outcomes.

Your ability to balance multiple concurrent initiatives, while providing architectural leadership and technical governance, makes you ideally suited for this role. If you thrive in environments where you can oversee a portfolio of projects as well as lead individual initiatives, you\'ll find this opportunity both challenging and rewarding.

To be considered, your CV and cover letter will demonstrate :

15 years') experience in solution architecture, design, development and integration of enterprise-scale applications.

You\'ll be passionate about delivery and quality and have a desire to learn and share your knowledge with others. Your ability to translate user needs into technical designs and specifications and build positive relationships with peers and stakeholders will be the key to your success.

Why you should join us

We stand together for New Zealand - Tū mai Aotearoa - to enable a better tomorrow.

We are an equal opportunity employer and embrace diversity. Our people are made up of over 28 nationalities which makes for a dynamic and stimulating environment.

Are you ready to join a fun, collaborative and results focused Applications Services team who enjoy a varied and fully funded programme of work? If so, please review the detailed position description below or via our website and apply without delay.

Role closes Tuesday 14 th October 2025. Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, and exploratory conversations / interviews may be scheduled for shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date - so don\'t delay applying.

Existing eligibility to work in New Zealand is required, and preference will be given to candidates in situ in Wellington in the first instance

Interested in knowing more, and seeing our Wellington head office?Watch a brief videohere

In a grid emergency please call 0800 THE GRID.

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