Lead Application Developer

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Are you an experienced Application Developer who would like to apply your exceptional skills in the essential work of managing, protecting, and securing New Zealand's borders? Make a positive contribution on behalf of all New Zealanders?

We are currently seeking a Lead Application Developer to join our Product Team supporting our Trade System. This is a nationally significant system enabling the smooth, secure, and controlled flow of goods across New Zealand's borders.

About this role…   

You will be supporting both new initiatives and projects underway, maintaining and enhancing our software applications, and providing production support. Some of the key areas of the role include:

• Maintenance and enhancement of existing deployed systems
• Contributing to the design of complex solutions
• Developing technical solutions from start, through deployment, to ongoing support and enhancement
• Operational support to a highly visible, business critical, high-volume, 24/7 system.

Experience working with agile methodologies and your great communication skills will help you influence decision making and deliver optimal outcomes for our users.

Reporting directly to the Product Manager Trade, you will actively help us on a journey of modernisation and enhancement across a range of products and services.

You will be part of a team of Architects, Developers, DevSecOps Engineers, Subject Matter Experts (and others) - working across a variety of products and technology stacks, and utilising Azure Cloud Services, to collectively deliver regular value to our stakeholders.

This is a permanent role in our Information Services (IS) group based in the Wellington Customhouse (hybrid option available).    

We ideally need someone who…   

Has a broad knowledge of relevant technologies including development languages, databases, methodologies, build pipelines, automation, and cloud concepts. We accept that it is hard to 'tick all the boxes' in an application so please do not be put off applying if you don't have all the skills listed below - attitude and a good team fit will be very important.
We are hoping for a general mix of the following technical experience, skills and personal attributes:

Essential skills:

• Java (Spring Boot, Quarkus)
• JavaScript (Node.js)
• Azure Cloud Computing
• APIs

Non-essential but helpful skills:

• React, Dojo
• PostgresSQL or equivalent application database experience
• Messaging queues
• Modern development tools and pipelines

Supporting experience and personal attributes:

• An understanding of other related areas such as UX design concepts, product development, networking, security compliance etc.
• 5 years+ of relevant experience as an Application Developer working across all stages of the product development lifecycle and ideally within complex technology environments
• Experience working within an Agile delivery framework and DevOps
• The proven ability to work well in a team in a highly collaborative manner
• Calm under pressure, able to make significant consequential decisions quickly, safely, and in a well-reasoned manner
• User-centric viewpoint and empathy
• An expansive mindset with the ability to work flexibly, delivering change and support across multiple products and services simultaneously
• Able to adapt to and learn new technologies and methodologies as required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work unsociable hours as part of a support roster (compensated)
• Able to occasionally work unsociable hours in support of deployments
• Satisfy Customs' Security vetting requirements.
• Mentoring and guiding others
• Technical leadership
• Production support leadership with a process improvement focus
• Extensive experience across the range of skills outlined above.

What we would offer you…   

• Interesting and varied work, enabling you to use your creativity and initiative   
• Learning and development opportunities and on-the-job support.   
• A culture of valuing people, including flexible work conditions   
• A modern building close to public transport hubs and parking   
• Excellent end-of-trip facilities with access to a free in-house gym.  

For further information see the full position description outlining the duties and person specifications.  Want to know a bit more before applying?  Feel free to contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.Leahy@customs.govt.nz  

Apply Now  

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident* and be able to obtain and retain Confidential security clearance.   

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application; OR 

a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at time of application but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.   

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace.  We provide equal employment opportunities, consider flexible working arrangements and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.  

Please visit our website https://www.customs.govt.nz to apply online by submitting a CV and cover letter that demonstrates your ability to meet the competencies required for the role as outlined in the position description, along with what attracts you to this position and working within the New Zealand Customs Service.  

Please note that applications will not, be accepted, if sent direct to an email address. All applications need to be submitted online only.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

Applications close at 11pm, Tuesday 25 February 2025