Innovation Engineer AI | Wellington | Permanent

Join a forward-thinking team where innovation meets impact.

About our team | Mō te tīma :

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 | Mō te tūnga :

As part of MSD’s Emerging Technology team, you’ll evaluate new technologies, craft interactive prototypes, and help stakeholders understand how innovation can solve business challenges.

You’ll help MSD safely explore and prototype the novel uses of cutting‑edge technologies to solve real‑world problems.

Key responsibilities include :

• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend areas for deeper exploration
• Build functional prototypes that integrate with MSD sandbox environments
• Collaborate with analysts and specialists to align prototypes with business needs
• Translate user experience mock‑ups into interactive prototypes
• Document and share learnings across MSD
• Support research and feedback gathering from prototype users
• Contribute to technology roadmaps and knowledge sharing
• Apply design standards and modelling techniques to system components

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.

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga :

• A mix of technical know‑how and creative problem‑solving, with a passion for emerging tech and prototyping.
• Experience in creating software prototypes using AI tools such as Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, Github Copilot, Lovable, or Cursor
• Ability to influence technical stakeholders on new ways of software development using AI
• Experience influencing change in large, traditional tech environments
• Agile mindset and collaborative working style
• Strong knowledge of emerging technologies and new ways to prototype and develop software solutions
• Skilled in prototype development using Azure AI Foundry
• Familiar with AI concepts and implementation
• Proficient in AI requirements creation, AI systems design, and AI system testing
• Able to model user interfaces and design systems using AI tools
• Comfortable working with Service Designers to interpreting user feedback
• Effective communicator with a knack for translating tech into business value

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga :

A copy of the postion description can be found here. Iinnovation Engineer postion description.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau : $103,846.00 - $125,998.00

Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te : Sunday 23 November 2025.

About us | Mō mātou :

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, whānau 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 pēhea 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 responsibilitieslisted 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 us | Ko te hono mai :

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau 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. You can find out more about our values here.

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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