About the role

About the role
This is a senior, strategic SCADA Architect role within a large, complex infrastructure environment responsible for essential services.

You’ll lead the long-term direction, governance, and evolution of enterprise-scale SCADA and operational technology environments, moving beyond operational support into strategy, architecture, cybersecurity, and stakeholder leadership. The role sits at the intersection of OT, IT, cybersecurity, and asset management, supporting data-driven decision-making across a large infrastructure portfolio.

This role is Christchurch-based with hybrid flexibility. 

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the strategic direction and governance of SCADA and automation environments
• Develop and maintain SCADA strategy, standards, and roadmaps aligned to regulatory and operational requirements
• Act as the senior authority for SCADA architecture, modernisation, and lifecycle planning
• Lead major SCADA improvement and modernisation initiatives, including system upgrades, integrations, and legacy replacement
• Partner closely with other digital and cybersecurity teams to manage OT cyber risk, resilience, and compliance
• Bridge IT and OT teams to ensure effective integration and delivery outcomes
• Represent the organisation in industry forums and cross-sector working groups
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across SCADA, EI&C, and operational teams
• Support business continuity planning, incident response, and post-incident reviews
• Define SCADA standards and metrics to support asset management and operational decision-making

What we’re looking for

• Extensive experience (typically 10+ years) in SCADA, with experience in architecture, design, and governance
• Strong technical background across SCADA platforms, industrial networks, and OT environments
• Demonstrated experience in cybersecurity, risk management, and resilience planning
• Strategic thinker who can translate operational needs into long-term architectural and investment decisions
• Strong communicator, comfortable engaging with engineers, operators, senior leaders, and external stakeholders
• Experience setting standards, governance frameworks, and operating models 

Why join

• Senior, high-impact role shaping the future of critical infrastructure systems
• Influence long-term strategy, architecture, and investment decisions
• Work on complex, meaningful systems with real-world impact
• Competitive senior-level remuneration
• Supportive, collaborative environment focused on quality, resilience, and continuous improvement

About the culture
This company operates in a values-led, safety-focused environment where collaboration, resilience, and continuous improvement are central. The focus is on delivering reliable, secure, and future-proofed infrastructure outcomes without unnecessary bureaucracy.

How to apply
Apply with your CV or contact James Hurren at jamesh@potentia.co.nz for a confidential discussion.