Principal Systems Engineer - Enterprise Services

About the Company We are seeking a Principal Engineer for Enterprise Services to join our team. This role is ideal for an experienced technical leader who possesses strong expertise across various technologies and has a deep understanding of at least one enterprise service domain such as Microsoft 365, Power Platform/Dynamics 365, or Linux. We value professionals who can grasp the technical implications of implementing AI within our services. About the Role As the Principal Engineer (Enterprise Services), you will act as a subject matter expert in Microsoft 365, Power Platform/Dynamics 365, Linux, and AI. You will play a crucial role in shaping our technology roadmap, establishing standards and guidelines, and ensuring a cohesive approach to all service aspects. Your mentorship will be valuable to the Enterprise Services team, as you will assist with projects, balancing day-to-day operations with innovation and automation. What You Will Do - Collaborate with the Practice Lead and the broader ITS team in designing, provisioning, operating, securing, and managing our enterprise services. - Serve as a technical leader for all aspects of enterprise systems, acting as a lead engineer in at least one domain while being a point of escalation for other engineers. - Ensure service availability, manage improvements, and explore innovative uses of available technologies. - Uphold the security and privacy of users and services while enhancing user experiences through effective sourcing, implementation, and automation. - Provide expert advice and drive change through technical and strategic alignment. - Influence attitudes, decisions, and actions within the team and mentor other members. - Work collaboratively to meet our strategies, plans, and targets. Domain-Specific Technical Engineering Competencies Microsoft 365 and Identity Access Management - Extensive experience in managing and configuring core services such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Microsoft Teams, particularly in a hybrid environment. - Proficient in using PowerShell to automate administrative tasks and streamline configurations across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. - Strong knowledge of identity and access management, particularly Entra ID and Active Directory, including conditional access, SSO, and multi-factor authentication. - A solid understanding of compliance, data governance, and security features within Microsoft Purview and Defender for 365. Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 - Strong expertise in governing and operating the Power Platform and Dynamics 365, including excellence and administration centers. - Familiarity with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Dynamics 365 to advise on best practices and assist application teams with troubleshooting. - Experience with API-based integration and integration platforms is preferred. Linux - Proficient in managing system resources, users, services, and network configurations for secure operations. - Skilled in writing shell scripts and using automation tools like Bash and Python for task automation. - Experience with configuration management tools such as Ansible, Puppet, or Terraform for infrastructure deployment and maintenance. - A strong understanding of system security, including hardening techniques, firewalls, and compliance standards. - Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, as well as container technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Proficient in deploying, managing, and optimizing AI models, AI agents, and platforms to support learning and administrative processes. - Experience with Microsoft Copilot and its safe operation within an enterprise. - Familiarity with cloud-based AI services such as Azure AI, AWS SageMaker, or Google Vertex AI is preferred. - Understanding of data privacy, ethical AI principles, and compliance with regulations such as FERPA or GDPR. Who You Are You hold a tertiary qualification in IT or business management or possess equivalent experience. You have extensive leadership experience in IT, particularly in applications and integration, with a minimum of six years in a principal engineer or related role within Microsoft 365, Linux, or similar enterprise services. You are adept at contributing effectively to projects and building strong stakeholder relationships. Your ability to navigate ambiguity and embrace change is essential, along with your knowledge of strategic IT issues, especially in educational or government contexts. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week), graded at Grade 8, with a salary range of $96,565 to $129,699. The position is preferably based at our Palmerston North campus, with the Wellington campus being an option, requiring at least one day per week in Palmerston North.