IDAM Domain Engineer

About this role

Position – Identity & Access Management Domain Engineer

• Fixed Term – Through till 30/06/2026
• Fulltime
• Wellington

NZQA is embarking on a once-in-a-generation transformation through our Strategic Technology Enhancement Programme (STEP), a multi-year journey that will reshape how we deliver services, engage with our sector, and operate as a digital organisation. Critical to the success of this change is Identity and Access Management (IDAM): a foundational capability that will enable secure, seamless, and scalable access across our entire ecosystem. This role is your chance to take a pivotal role in establishing an IDAM portfolio reaching hundreds of thousands of users. You'll be the technical authority ensuring robust, secure, and scalable identity solutions that underpin our digital ecosystem.

Whakatairangatia ngā kete o te mātauranga ki te ao mārama! E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo – nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

May the baskets of knowledge (education) be brought into the world of light. We welcome one and all to join us at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the role

NZQA is seeking a technical authority with a storied background in identity and security to establish a new generation of IDAM capability. You will be a guru when it comes to modern authentication protocols, have a rich understanding of Entra ID, and be open to challenging the boundaries of traditional role-based access controls with concepts such as ReBAC and ABAC.

Security will be at the heart of everything you do. You'll champion modern authentication and authorisation practices, ensure robust access controls, and embed cybersecurity principles into the design, delivery, and ongoing maintenance of this service. Your wisdom will be instrumental in protecting sensitive data and maintaining the trust of our users and partners.

You will be at the helm of a service that supports a wide and varied user base. From a seasonal workforce of around 8,000, to past and present learners across Aotearoa, and the secondary and tertiary education providers who support them. Your expertise will shape how these users safely and seamlessly engage with our systems during some of the most important moments of life.

This role works closely with our IDAM Service Lead, and you'll work together to realise a vision of exceptional user experience at the digital front-door of NZQA's services. You'll span both design and engineering, seeing IDAM through from concept to reality.

Mōu | Who you are

You are a highly skilled engineer with deep technical knowledge of IDAM, who thrives on solving complex problems, designing secure architectures, and delivering robust solutions. You will bring clarity and precision to technical discussions and be a mentor to your peers.

You understand that great IDAM services are not just secure, but intuitive and user-friendly. You're passionate about delivering solutions that protect our systems, data, and users, while enabling seamless access for thousands of users with significantly varying digital literacy.

Ko tāu nā i tēnei tūranga | What you'll bring to the role:

• Proven experience delivering and configuring IDAM solutions in complex environments, over at least a decade long technology career.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, and Entra ID External Tenants or its predecessor AAD B2C
• Experience spanning both design and engineering and serving a variety of different user bases.
• Strong knowledge of user lifecycle management capabilities, and other IDAM supporting technologies.

You bring more than just technical expertise; you bring clarity and precision to complex technical challenges. You will build trust, mentor colleagues, and guide others towards secure and scalable outcomes.  

You will leave behind a service that's not only technically sound but deeply aligned with the needs of our users.

Ngā Painga o NZQA | Why Choose NZQA

A core part of our education system, NZQA ensures that New Zealand qualifications are valued as credible and robust both nationally and internationally.  We are accountable for managing the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, administering the secondary school assessment system, qualifications recognition and standard setting for some specified unit standards.  We are a dynamic crown agency with an exciting future.

We offer significant training and professional development, specifically tailored for our leadership team, so that you can thrive and grow. We are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way that embraces diversity and reflects the communities that we serve.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an NZQA employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your NZQA email address.

We will be continually reviewing applications as they are received, so would encourage you to submit your CV promptly for consideration.

NZQA is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.

If you have any questions about role, please contact the hiring manager for the role, Andrew Wood, Andrew.Wood@nzqa.govt.nz 

Applications close at 5.00pm on 12 March 2026