Platform Engineer - AI Enablement

About the Role

The University of Canterbury invites applications for the position of Platform Engineer specializing in AI Enablement within the Digital Services division, located in Christchurch, New Zealand. This permanent role covers 37.5 hours per week and offers a salary ranging from $108,459 to $130,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Key Responsibilities

You will be responsible for designing, building, and managing secure cloud and AI platforms across Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Your work will create scalable infrastructure to support sophisticated data analytics, machine learning, and generative AI solutions. Duties include automating infrastructure deployment using Infrastructure-as-Code tools, developing new platform services, and maintaining secure, reliable, and user-friendly environments.

Collaboration plays an essential role in this position: you will partner with Data Engineers, Data Scientists, AI Engineers, and other university stakeholders to deploy and operate AI platforms. The role supports advanced AI functions such as Large Language Models (LLMs), AI APIs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and the deployment of AI models. You will also engage in DevOps and MLOps practices, platform governance, and continuous enhancement efforts aimed at enabling rapid, trusted data and AI solution delivery.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is an experienced and skilled Platform Engineer passionate about building secure, scalable cloud platforms that empower teams to innovate with data and AI. You should have at least five years of relevant experience in platform engineering, cloud engineering, or DevOps. Expertise in Azure and/or AWS, including cloud security, network architecture, and governance, is essential.

Proficiency in Infrastructure-as-Code using tools such as Terraform, Bicep, or CloudFormation is required, alongside hands-on experience creating CI/CD pipelines and operating Kubernetes or other container platforms. Practical exposure to deploying or maintaining AI or machine learning cloud platforms is expected. Familiarity with modern AI technologies including LLMs, AI APIs, RAG, and MLOps methodologies is important.

Strong problem-solving capabilities and effective communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences are critical. You should demonstrate a collaborative attitude, commitment to ongoing learning, and alignment with the University’s values to foster a positive and inclusive work culture.

Work Environment and Team

You will engage closely with diverse roles such as Data Engineers, Data Scientists, Researchers, fellow Platform Engineers, and members of the Digital Services team. Your collaboration extends across faculties, professional service teams, and project groups, all dedicated to delivering robust, scalable platforms that underpin research, teaching, and operational success.

Benefits

• Five weeks annual leave plus five additional university holidays
• Up to nine weeks paid parental leave provided by the university, supplemented by 26 weeks of government-paid leave and onsite childcare facilities
• Generous employer superannuation contributions up to 6.75%
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development and further study
• Supportive and inclusive work environment
• Extensive retail discounts including shopping, entertainment, and travel
• Discounts on facilities such as the university's RecCentre and Staff Club, alongside onsite cafés and eateries
• Work within the revitalized city of Ōtautahi (Christchurch), enjoying a picturesque campus environment

Additional Information

The application deadline is 23 August 2026 at midnight NZ time, with applications being reviewed on a rolling basis. This opportunity is available exclusively to candidates who hold New Zealand or Australian citizenship or permanent residency. The position requires onsite presence at the university's Christchurch campus.