Platform Engineer (AI Enablement)

Job Description:

Te Ratonga Tautoko Hangarau | Digital Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)
• Salary - $108,459 - $130,000 p.a., based on skills and experience
• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Platform Engineer? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

You will design, build, and operate secure cloud and AI platforms across Azure and AWS, creating scalable environments that support enterprise data, analytics, machine learning, and generative AI solutions. You will automate infrastructure using Infrastructure-as-Code, develop platform services, and ensure our environments remain secure, reliable, and easy to consume.

Working closely with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Engineers, and stakeholders across the University, you will help deliver and operate UC's AI platform, enabling modern AI capabilities such as Large Language Models (LLMs), AI APIs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and model deployment patterns. You will contribute to DevOps, MLOps, platform governance, and continuous improvement, helping teams rapidly build trusted data and AI solutions.

Mōu | Who You Are
You are a technically capable Platform Engineer who enjoys building secure, scalable cloud platforms and enabling teams to innovate with data and AI. You are curious about emerging technologies, enjoy solving complex problems, and thrive in a collaborative environment. You will be able to demonstrate experience in:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Platform Engineering, Cloud Engineering, DevOps, or a related discipline.
• Strong hands-on experience with Azure and/or AWS, including cloud security, networking, and governance.
• Experience implementing Infrastructure-as-Code using Terraform, Bicep, CloudFormation, or similar technologies.
• Experience building CI/CD pipelines and working with Kubernetes and container platforms.
• Practical experience deploying or operating AI or machine learning platforms in a cloud environment.
• Working knowledge of modern AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), AI APIs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and MLOps practices.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to continuous learning and engineering excellence.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
You will work closely with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Researchers, Platform Engineers, and Digital Services teams across the University. Collaborating with faculties, professional services teams, and project teams to deliver secure, scalable platforms that support research, teaching, and operational excellence

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

UC’s Benefits approach is shaped by Ngā Uara | Our Values Whanaungatanga, Tiakitanga, and Manaakitanga. They are designed to be relevant, support and inspire our people, they include:

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development and study opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts including UC RecCentre
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 11 August 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.