Cyber Design & Engineering Manager

At Vector, we're delivering the infrastructure, technology and services that will support a smarter, more connected and increasingly electrified Auckland.

Our Vector31 strategy sets a clear direction for the future. As we continue to evolve the way we serve customers, manage our network and enable business performance, Digital & Data plays a critical role in connecting strategy, technology and delivery.

To support this transformation, we're establishing a new Digital & Data operating model designed to strengthen business alignment, improve delivery outcomes and accelerate value creation across the organisation. This is your opportunity to shape how cyber security enables secure innovation across Vector's IT, operational technology and emerging AI environments.

The role

Cyber security at Vector is shifting from reactive, manual activity to an automation-first, risk-led approach that builds security into delivery from the start.

As Cyber Security Engineering & Design Manager, you'll lead that shift across IT, operational technology, IoT and emerging AI environments. This senior people leadership role combines enterprise-wide design authority with responsibility for the team, standards, reusable patterns and investment roadmap that enable faster, safer delivery.

You'll connect security design with operational defence, using insights from monitoring, vulnerabilities and incidents to improve controls and engineer out repetitive work - strengthening resilience without adding unnecessary gates.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the cyber operating-model shift, replacing manual activity and late-stage approvals with scalable security engineering.

• Own cyber security design authority across IT, OT, IoT and AI, setting architecture principles, standards, reusable reference patterns and practical guardrails.

• Develop and deliver the cyber engineering and architecture roadmap, aligning investment with business growth, grid modernisation and regulatory obligations.

• Embed secure-by-design practices and automation across software, infrastructure and operational workflows, using continuous threat modelling, approved patterns, CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code and automated provisioning where appropriate.

• Build OT, IoT, AI and agentic-security capability, balancing cyber risk with critical infrastructure safety, reliability and availability.

• Lead and develop the Cyber Security Engineering & Design team, building strong technical practice, capability and succession.

• Connect design, implementation and operational defence through clear hand-offs and continuous improvement; assure internal and partner outputs against standards and risk appetite, and oversee reliable, scalable security platforms and services.

Who are we looking for?

You'll combine technical depth with practical judgement, acting as both an enterprise design authority and a business enabler. Your leadership will build ownership, constructive challenge and continuous learning, with standards and controls that work in practice.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading enterprise cyber security architecture and engineering functions within a complex organisation.

• Deep expertise in cyber architecture, secure design and engineering, supported by strong knowledge of enterprise architecture, cloud, OT and AI security.

• Experience establishing architecture governance, standards, reference patterns and decision frameworks across large technology environments.

• A strong understanding of modern software and infrastructure delivery, including secure-by-design practices, continuous threat modelling, CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code.

• Experience developing long-term engineering roadmaps, managing technical debt and rationalising security technology or vendor landscapes.

• Proven ability to lead complex technical delivery, communicate cyber risk clearly to executives and influence investment decisions and risk trade-offs.

• Experience in critical infrastructure, energy, utilities or another safety- and reliability-sensitive operational environment.

• Strong people leadership experience, with the ability to coach technical specialists and build a high-performing, collaborative engineering culture.

Why Vector

Help shape a newly formed cyber security design and engineering function, with genuine influence over architecture, practice and investment. Your work will span IT, operational technology, AI and emerging technology, building lasting capability that supports Auckland's future and New Zealand's energy transition.

• A collaborative, inclusive and forward-looking culture.

• Flexible working arrangements and market-competitive remuneration and benefits.

• Ongoing professional development and career growth opportunities.

We know that some people may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet every single requirement. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply anyway - your skills, enthusiasm, and unique perspective could be just what we’re looking for.

Vector values diversity in all its forms and welcomes people of all backgrounds, experiences, identities and abilities to be part of our team.