Data Engineer
Port Otago Group’s business comprises a regional container terminal, bulk port activities, cruise, and property investment and development. Based out of Port Chalmers (Dunedin), we service South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, working with customers to streamline their supply chains. Our culture is hands-on; safety focused and encourages continuous improvement.
About the Role:
We have an exciting opportunity for a Data Engineer to join our IT team on a permanent full-time basis in our Head Office in beautiful Port Chalmers.
Reporting to the Head of IT, this role is responsible for leading the ongoing implementation, management and continuous improvement of our Microsoft Fabric data platform, which includes:
- Implementing and maintaining Microsoft best-practice frameworks, including medallion architecture, metadata-driven frameworks and database mirroring.
- Building and maintaining reliable data pipelines from our core business systems using Python, SQL, APIs and CI/CD.
- Developing, securing and deploying Power BI reports and semantic models that give the business clear, trusted insights.
- Working with business users, our managed service provider and external consultants to migrate existing reporting into Fabric.
- Identifying opportunities to extend our data capability, including new data sources, automation and self-service reporting.
- Monitoring data quality and pipeline reliability and keeping technical documentation current.
About You:
You’ll be a data engineering expert who takes pride in accuracy and enjoys building reliable, well-governed data solutions. You’ll enjoy building relationships across the business and turning complex data into clear, useful insights.
You’ll be self-driven and comfortable taking ownership of technical decisions as our dedicated data engineering specialist within a small, collaborative IT team, working alongside our managed service provider and consultants.
To be successful in this position you will also:
- Have a minimum of 5 years’ experience with Microsoft data warehousing and reporting tools, including Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Python and SQL.
- Have demonstrated experience implementing Microsoft best-practice frameworks, including medallion architecture, metadata-driven frameworks and database mirroring, along with CI/CD pipelines and data ingestion via APIs.
- Have strong Power BI skills, including semantic (tabular) models, DAX, row-level security, workspace and app management, and deployment pipelines.
- Have a working knowledge of data governance, security and access control in a Microsoft 365/Azure environment.
- Have experience working with external consultants, vendors or managed service providers to deliver technical programmes of work.
- Have excellent communication and relationship skills, with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and explain data concepts in plain language.
- Ideally, hold a relevant tertiary qualification (or equivalent practical experience) and Microsoft certifications such as Fabric Analytics Engineer or Power BI Data Analyst.
- Ideally, have experience in port, logistics, freight or a similarly complex operational industry.
What’s in it for you?
In return, you can look forward to working for a successful company which prides itself on continually striving to improve performance; this enables our people to contribute in a way that makes a difference, and for us to appropriately reward our people for their contributions.
You will also be entitled to comprehensive health insurance cover for you, your partner, and any dependent children, as well as a 7% employer superannuation contribution.
We also offer a raft of other benefits including but not limited to, free onsite parking, amazing Otago Harbour views from your desk, fruit boxes delivered weekly to our break areas, Nespresso machines onsite for your daily coffee fix, full uniform provided, and various wellness initiatives throughout the year.
Heads up:
· This role is based in Port Chalmers, Dunedin.
· A full clean NZ Drivers licence is required.
· You must be eligible to work in New Zealand.
· You must be able to pass Ministry of Justice, ACC checks and a medical which includes a drug and alcohol test as part of our recruitment process
· We complete random drug and alcohol testing
How do I apply?
If you have any questions about the role, please contact us at people@portotago.co.nz. Or if you’re ready to apply, applications need to be submitted online via our Port Otago Careers page www.portotago.co.nz/careers. Please ensure that you include a cover letter and a copy of your up-to-date CV along with your application. If you are not currently living in Dunedin, please tell us why you would like to move to this wonderful city in your cover letter
Applications close: 5pm, Sunday 8 November 2026. Don’t delay applying as we will be shortlisting as applications come through.
