- Work anywhere in New Zealand
- Permanent, Full-time
About the Role
The Principal Advisor – QA Engineering plays a critical advisory role in leading and evolving the organisation's QA Engineering Capability. This role works collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders, including technical teams, product and delivery groups, senior leaders, vendors, and the Test Manager, to ensure QA practices are effectively embedded and aligned with strategic goals. With a strong focus on quality assurance at both a strategic and operational level, the Principal Advisor supports the successful planning and delivery of products, projects, and programmes. This position is pivotal in shaping and uplifting quality engineering standards, frameworks, and practices across the organisation.
About the Team/Service/ Location
The Principal Advisor – QA Engineering reports into the DevOps Manager and operates within the Digital Applications & Products function. This role provides strategic and technical leadership for the QA Engineering Capability, with a focus on standardising quality assurance practices and embedding them across projects, products, and programmes. Working within a service portfolio and domain-aligned structure, the Principal Advisor collaborates closely with development teams, DevOps, senior stakeholders, the Test Manager, and external vendors to ensure QA practices are seamlessly integrated into delivery pipelines. The role is instrumental in uplifting QA maturity, driving continuous improvement, and aligning quality outcomes with broader organisational objectives to support the delivery of secure, scalable, and high-performing digital solutions.
About you
You are an highly experienced quality assurance leader with deep expertise in QA engineering and a strong understanding of modern software delivery practices. You bring a strategic approach to quality, combining technical knowledge with the ability to influence and uplift QA capability across complex delivery environments. With a passion for continuous improvement, you work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including development, product, DevOps, support, and vendor partners to embed robust, scalable, and efficient testing practices. You are known for your ability to lead through influence, you champion quality as a shared responsibility and play a key role in shaping organisational QA standards and frameworks. You will also bring the following skills and experience to support their success in the role:
- Over 15 years of experience in software quality assurance, with a strong focus on test automation
- Demonstrated leadership in guiding and mentoring QA teams across complex delivery environments
- Expertise in implementing and managing QA methodologies and frameworks, including Agile, DevOps, and Waterfall
- In-depth understanding of software development lifecycles and how quality assurance aligns at each stage
Working for Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is ‘the weaving of wellness'. We're dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of Aotearoa/New Zealand. The Equity Work Programme at Health NZ focuses on helping everyone in the health system think about equity when they do their work. It also promotes the cultural change needed for the whole system to reach equity in health outcomes.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Health New Zealand are committed to being good employers and honouring our equal employment opportunity obligations.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.
- We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.
How to Apply
To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.” All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on Tuesday 26th August. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Chloe-Mary Booth at [email protected].
Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change, affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.
