The world of software has changed
AI and agentic development have changed the game. But the hard part was never the code; it was understanding the business well enough to know what to build, what to recommend against, and where the value could be found.
That’s the gap we’re hiring for. We need experienced developers who can sit across from a client, understand their world, shape a solution that genuinely fits, and then make it real. The technical depth isn’t optional; it’s what gives you credibility and what makes your recommendations have weight. But we need that depth paired with commercial awareness, and the consultative confidence to say, “here’s what I’d recommend, and here’s why.”
About Enlighten Designs
We’re an award-winning data and software agency, one of New Zealand’s leading Microsoft Partners, and at the forefront of AI-enabled delivery. From Waikato to the world, we design and build intelligent technology solutions that create real impact for our clients.
With 25+ years behind us and the energy of a start-up, we combine deep technical capability with a genuinely people-first culture. We recently sponsored Outstanding AI Implementation at the Aotearoa AI Awards. We care about doing great work, building strong relationships, and creating an environment where talented humans thrive.
A week in your life
No two weeks are the same, but here’s a flavour:
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Monday: You’re leading a discovery workshop with a new client. You’re asking the hard questions, mapping constraints, and starting to shape 2–3 solution options with trade-offs the client can actually evaluate.
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Tuesday: You’re pairing with a junior developer on an architecture decision, then using AI-assisted workflows to rapidly prototype a proof of concept that de-risks a key assumption.
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Wednesday: You’re writing a proposal section, scoping, estimating, and articulating the value case for a new phase of work. You’re calibrating the estimate against historical data and flagging where the assumptions are thin.
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Thursday: Heads-down delivery; building in C#/.NET, leveraging AI tools to accelerate, reviewing PRs, and making sure the solution aligns with what the client actually needs (not just what the ticket says).
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Friday: You’re running a client demo, facilitating a retrospective with your team, and mentoring a developer on how to translate technical updates into language a client actually cares about.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading client engagements from discovery through delivery; facilitating workshops, shaping solutions, and maintaining trusted advisor relationships
- Designing and building high-quality solutions in the Microsoft .NET ecosystem (C#, .NET, Azure, SQL, TypeScript)
- Driving AI-enabled delivery; integrating agentic tools into your workflow
- Contributing to presales: discovery, solution shaping, estimation, proposals, and value articulation
- Presenting options with clear trade-offs, managing scope and risk transparently, and recovering trust when things go sideways
- Mentoring and guiding other developers, both technically and in how they engage with clients
- Balancing commercial awareness with technical excellence. Solutions that are right for the client, right for the timeline, and right for the business
What you bring
You’ve been around long enough to know that the best solution isn’t always the most technically elegant one; it’s the one that fits the client’s reality.
- 3 – 5+ years of software development experience, ideally with the Microsoft stack (C#, .NET, Azure)
- Demonstrated client-facing experience. You’ve been in the room, run sessions, presented solutions, and handled the hard conversations
- A consultative mindset. You combine technical expertise with clear communication, commercial instinct, and a genuine interest in solving the client’s real problem
- Experience contributing to estimation, scoping, or proposal work.
- Passion for leveraging AI tools to create value. Not just using them, but thinking critically about when and how
- A balanced approach to mentoring
- Strong facilitation skills
- A relevant degree (Computer Science, Software Engineering, or similar) or equivalent practical experience
Why you’ll want this role
- Have real impact, your recommendations shape what gets built, not just how
- Work at a firm that’s genuinely leading in AI-enabled delivery across New Zealand
- Complex, high-value projects for enterprise clients across a range of industries
- Help build the next generation of developers
- Work with an extraordinary group of people who treat talent as the organisation’s most valuable asset
- Flexible working arrangements. Hybrid from our Hamilton office (at least two days a week)
- A collaborative, geeky environment where fun and technical innovation coexist daily
Research shows women and other underrepresented groups are more likely to self-select out of applying for roles unless they match 100% of the criteria. If you are interested in this role and working with us at Enlighten, but your experience doesn’t line up exactly, please still consider applying. You could be the right person for us.
