Solution Architect

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don’t just keep New Zealand’s skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

• Play a pivotal role in a major business transformation programme with organisation-wide impact
• Lead the design of future-state business, application, data, technology, and security architectures
• Influence strategic technology decisions that will help shape the future of New Zealand’s aviation regulator

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Solution Architect to join our Digital Transformation and Technology group on a fixed-term basis. This role is responsible for defining future-state business, data, application, technology, and security architectures that support CAA’s business transformation programme.

Working across multiple initiatives and delivery workstreams, you'll translate business strategy and transformation objectives into practical architecture roadmaps and solution designs that support successful organisational change. You'll work closely with business stakeholders, delivery teams, vendors, and technology partners to ensure solutions are aligned, integrated, secure, and capable of delivering long-term value.

About the Business Transformation Programme

This is your opportunity to get in at the start.

We are building a team to deliver a significant transformation that will shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this is an opportunity to work on genuine transformation — not simply improve existing processes or deliver business as usual.

These roles are initially offered on a one-year fixed-term basis while the business case progresses through approval. We recognise that means taking a degree of risk. But for the right person, it is also a chance to get involved at the point where the programme is being shaped, make a meaningful contribution, and work on a transformation that is genuinely important.

If you are motivated by complex change and want to help build something significant, this is the time to get involved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of solution architectures across multiple projects and workstreams, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and enterprise architecture principles
• Define and maintain target-state and transition-state architectures that support the organisation’s transformation roadmap
• Establish architecture standards, patterns, governance processes, and technology roadmaps to drive consistency and quality across initiatives
• Translate strategic business objectives and requirements into practical architecture solutions and delivery approaches
• Conduct architecture assessments, impact analyses, and option evaluations to support informed decision-making
• Lead the design of complex, integrated solutions that balance functionality, security, resilience, performance, and supportability requirements
• Define integration patterns and standards that enable seamless information exchange across systems and external partners
• Provide architecture leadership throughout solution delivery, ensuring outcomes align with approved designs and business objectives

The salary band for this role is $136,939 - $168,191. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

For more information on the role please view the position description.

What You'll Bring

If you're a strategic thinker who enjoys solving complex business and technology challenges, building strong stakeholder relationships, and helping organisations navigate large-scale transformation, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact.

To succeed in this role you'll demonstrate:

• Relevant qualifications in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Management Information Systems, or equivalent experience
• Extensive experience in IT development and solution architecture, including enterprise-wide systems and technology environments
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture concepts and practices
• Working knowledge of architecture and governance frameworks such as TOGAF, COBIT, ITIL, and Prince2
• Experience applying architecture methods across agile, hybrid, or traditional delivery environments
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build technical and professional credibility at all levels of an organisation
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical business outcomes
• Experience developing architecture roadmaps, solution designs, and governance processes within large or complex environments

About us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system – so people are safe, and feel safe when they fly.

Our values: Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration guide everything we do. We’re committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

If you're excited by the opportunity to shape the architecture that underpins a major organisational transformation and contribute to meaningful work that keeps New Zealand’s aviation system safe and secure, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the skills required for this role.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@caa.govt.nz.

Applications close: 6 August 2026

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.