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Principal Software Engineer

General Information

Date Published
11-Dec-2025
Advertising Ends
14-Jan-2026
ID#
14379
Role Type
IT
Work Type
Permanent Full-Time
Workplace Type
Hybrid
Country
New Zealand
Location
Auckland

Position Description

Our Co-operative

Ata whakaarohia tō āpōpō | Imagine Tomorrow with Us
At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, we want everyone to feel they can be themselves. 

Whether you're early in your career or ready for your next step, Fonterra offers a unique opportunity to grow with a global dairy co-operative that values care, collaboration, and contribution. 

Owned by New Zealand dairy farmers and supported by a dedicated team, we are all working together to create a better future. Imagine tomorrow with us, where your career can grow, and you can create positive change.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About the Opportunity

Lead. Innovate. Build Scalable Solutions.

At Fonterra, technology powers our global success. We’re looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and integration of scalable, maintainable software solutions that drive efficiency and innovation across our business.

This is a senior technical leadership role where you’ll architect enterprise-grade systems, champion best practices, and mentor engineers to deliver production-ready code. If you love solving complex problems and shaping the future of software engineering, this is your opportunity.

What You’ll Do

  • Architect & Build: Design and develop solutions across front-end, back-end, and integration layers using modern frameworks and enterprise standards.
  • Champion Best Practices: Apply SOLID principles, design patterns, and test-driven development to deliver robust, maintainable systems.
  • Lead Integration: Implement APIs, messaging queues, and data flows to enable seamless interoperability across platforms.
  • Drive Automation: Own and optimise CI/CD pipelines using tools like Azure DevOps for streamlined testing and deployment.
  • Mentor & Enable: Coach engineers in advanced coding techniques, performance tuning, and architectural design.

Mōu | About You

You’re a seasoned software engineer with deep technical expertise and a passion for building scalable systems. You thrive in complex environments and know how to balance innovation with reliability.

You bring:

  • Extensive experience in software architecture and development across multiple layers.
  • Strong knowledge of SOLID principles, design patterns, and enterprise integration.
  • Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines and cloud platforms (Azure preferred).
  • Ability to lead technical teams and mentor engineers.
  • A collaborative mindset and strong problem-solving skills.

Bonus points if you’ve worked in large-scale enterprise environments or have experience with advanced performance tuning and interoperability solutions.


Ngā Aura | Our Values 
At Fonterra, our values of Good Together, Better Every Day, and Every Drop Counts, are for everyone – no matter your background, identify or experience. These values guide us in delivering exceptional outcomes for our farmers, customers, communities, and each other. Discover how your values align with ours by taking our Values Quiz

Tā mātou oati | Our Commitment to You 
We care for our people globally. Our comprehensive benefits support your well-being, development, and work-life balance:
  • Fair and equitable pay
  • Health and well-being programs (medical, mental health support)
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Career growth support
  • Work-life balance options (flexible/hybrid working where possible)
  • Employee recognition
  • Support for community involvement and cultural connection
To learn more, visit Fonterra Careers

Ngā Mahi | A Career of Opportunities
At Te Mātāpuna Fonterra, we are inspired by purpose and guided by our principles and values. Together, we create goodness for generations and make a global impact at a local level. As part of our Co-operative, you are an everyday creator, imagining what Fonterra, dairy, and you can be here.

Tātou Tātou | Join Us
Does this sound good to you? Come join our whānau - bring your whole self, and let's solve for better together. 

You, me, us together, Tātou, tātou.

He Wāhi mō te Katoa | Together, we're shaping a future of inclusion.
Inclusion is key to our Co-operative. We're building a team that reflects the diverse world we live in, believing it drives better decisions and innovation. 

We welcome applications from all backgrounds (ethnicities, genders, identities, orientations, ages, abilities, neurotypes, cultures, religions). 

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, we encourage you to apply; we value your potential and growth. 

If you face accessibility issues or need accommodations during the process, please contact your recruiter. We ensure fair participation, allowing you to be at your best. Tātou, tātou. 

Applications close at midnight on 14th Jan.  Please note a number of the recruitment team are on annual leave so expect some processing delays.