Technical Analyst - Machine Learning at Government Communications Security Bureau, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Join our diverse and talented people and work at the heart of national security, providing essential intelligence to the NZ government to protect New Zealand and its people.

At the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) | Te Tira Tiaki, our mission is to protect and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s security and wellbeing. We provide Signals Intelligence and Cyber Security and resilience to organisations of national significance to successfully navigate in an unpredictable world.  

Timely, insightful intelligence is essential to protecting New Zealand’s sovereignty, prosperity and safety.

Join the GCSB as a Technical Analyst (Level 2 or 3) with a focus on Machine Learning, and become a vital part of a team transforming intelligence data into actionable insights. You'll help normalise, enrich, and index Intelligence Directorate’s data, making it readily discoverable and valuable for intelligence analysis.  

About the role:

No two days are ever the same. We tackle diverse and challenging projects using AI/ML development and data engineering practices. We leverage the specialised skills and experience of our team members to deliver impactful results.

Some of our mahi involves:

• AI/ML Research & Capability Development
  • Researching cutting edge techniques for AI/ML applications in our unique context
  • Evaluating AI/ML models and techniques for their applicability to our environment
  • Designing, developing and deploying core services to support data enrichment & triage
  • Deploying ML models using scalable and maintainable patterns
• Data Engineering
  • Working with modern data-engineering infrastructure to process large quantities of data
  • Designing, implementing, and maintaining data models and system interfaces
  • Working alongside the mission to create bespoke transformations for specific datasets by orchestrating these transformations at scale
• Engagement
  • Proactively engaging with the mission to understand their requirements
  • Presenting your work at international conferences
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with colleagues in domestic and international agencies

About you:

We welcome applications from all motivated individuals who possess a range of the following attributes:

• Strong interest in AI/ML Research and Capability Development
• High motivation and curiosity, and an eagerness to learn
• Enthusiastic about designing scalable solutions to uncertain problem
• An aptitude for programming and be familiar with DevOps principles and techniques, including CI/CD
• Able to quickly get up to speed with technologies such as FastAPI, GitLabCI, Seldon, Kubernetes, Python, Kafka
• Proficient with software development principles such as the use of version control, unit/integration testing etc.
• Excited to be involved at all stages of development, from creative designs right through to deploying productionised systems
• Have a degree in any of the following: Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science or Mathematics or similar, OR relevant work experience in AI/ML Engineering roles or similar

Appointing range:

• Level 2: $103,009 - $109,876
• Level 3: $120,359 - $128,383

Before you apply

Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.

You must:

• Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years

OR

Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years

• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance
  • Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.

We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out our Myth Busting booklet: What to expect | Beyond Ordinary Careers

You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service