Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer

We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to help shape and deliver digital experiences for Lending, Insurance, and Wealth products. In this role, you will lead engineering teams that deliver both backend systems and customer-facing features, creating seamless digital experiences that impact thousands of Kiwis daily.

You will provide technical leadership for up to two squads, combining engineering and leadership tasks. Your responsibilities will span solution and process design, software delivery, mentoring engineers, and ongoing improvement, working closely with Product Owners, engineers, UX designers, architects, principal engineers, and stakeholders.

You will work closely with the wider digital teams, aligning with shared standards, governance, and roadmaps. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to and influence how digital experiences are delivered across Westpac. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on collaboration, technical excellence, and making a real impact for customers and staff alike.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality digital experiences aligned with business objectives, engineering best practices that advance the technical roadmap.
• Minimise technical debt and proactively address blockers.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing squad environment through mentoring and positive work practices.
• Lead and shape the definition of sprint goals that support delivery targets, customer needs, and strategic priorities, ensuring alignment across all relevant teams and stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective delivery and estimation by considering the full scope of solution requirements and dependencies, spanning analytics, integrations, infrastructure, and external systems.
• Contribute and shape the evolution of engineering standards, governance, and technical direction across the organisation.
• Ensure security is embedded in solution design and delivery, meeting compliance and regulatory requirements.
• This role is approximately 40% hands-on engineering and 60% team enablement, with flexibility based on squad needs.

What Will You Bring?

This position requires an engineering professional with experience in leadership and technical skills. The ideal candidate will have a background working within Agile environments and guiding teams towards project goals. The role involves influencing engineering standards and collaborating across various squads and departments.

Requirements for this role include:

• Expert-level experience in a software engineering domain (e.g., Java Spring Boot/Micronaut, React.js, native Android/iOS development), with a demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn and work across other tech stacks as needed.
• Proven ability to deliver scalable, high-quality digital solutions for web or mobile.
• Experience leading solution design and producing technical documentation.
• Exposure to front-end technologies (React, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript) and mobile platforms is valued, but not mandatory; a strong backend focus is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD, containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes), automated testing, and DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with tools and platforms such as .NET, D365, Micronaut, ForgeRock, Finacle, Jenkins, Git, Bitbucket, Selenium, Cucumber, SonarQube, Splunk, and Dynatrace.
• Strong understanding of service layers, networking, databases, integration patterns, and security best practices.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring, team building, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing environment.
• Experience working in Agile teams, with a commitment to best practices, operational efficiency, team culture, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to shape and influence engineering standards and technical direction.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences through technology.
• A curiosity above everything else, and the embodiment of "Strong opinions, held loosely".

Tech Landscape

Our environment includes Java, .NET, React/CSS/JS/HTML, Android/iOS, D365, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and more. Familiarity with one or more is expected; willingness to learn others is essential.

Working at Westpac

In addition to immersing yourself in a supportive team environment, you'll receive some great job perks and benefits including:

• 4 weeks standard holiday + 5 additional days of wellbeing leave to support you to be your best
• Additional purchased leave options up to 4 weeks per year
• Banking benefits, insurance discounts and superannuation scheme
• Growth and development – we provide opportunities for development and promote internal mobility
• Recognition - we recognise and reward our star performers
• School holiday subsidy - help you balance work and family during school holiday
• 2 Volunteer days per year

Our Organisation

At Westpac, we're working together to build a fairer and stronger New Zealand for our people, customers, and communities. For over 160 years we've been driven by our purpose to Create Better Futures Together.

What makes us unique are the incredible people we're lucky enough to have walk through our doors every day. The giant 'W' on our building doesn't just stand for Westpac – it says, double you. We're a place that values, rewards and recognises individuality. Where you can be your whole self, your true self, and your best self. We're recognised as a place where talent is developed, where passions are fuelled and where ambitions of all shapes and sizes thrive. And it all starts with you!

Apply Now!

Apply today with your CV and Cover Letter.

The people of Aotearoa, New Zealand hail from many cultures and backgrounds. At Westpac New Zealand, we draw on this enormous talent pool to cultivate a team rich in ability and empowered to reach its full potential. Our aim is to be brave challengers, celebrating our differences and relentlessly advocating for our customers. It starts with us – we believe that when we care deeply and do our best for our people, they'll do their best for our customers. We encourage people from all walks of life to apply, including those who are neurodiverse, have chronic health conditions or disabilities – your attitude and passion are as important to us as your experience, qualifications and capabilities.

Together Greater