Intelligence & Automation Engineer

About us

Southern Cross Health Insurance is shaping a healthier Aotearoa New Zealand. Our purpose is simple: empowering our members to live well for longer. We're here to give peace of mind through timely access to quality care, inspire healthier living, and lead positive change across the health system. As a New Zealand-owned, member-based organisation, we're building a future where wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do -- delivering exceptional value for our members and creating an environment where our people thrive.

Now is an exciting time to join us. You'll be part of a high-performing, values-driven team where people are at the heart of everything we do -- and in return for your talent, you'll have the opportunity to grow, make an impact, and be proud of the difference your work makes.

About the role

Southern Cross is guided by purpose, powered by people and technology. We exist to help our members live well for longer. 

We serve almost one million members across Aotearoa New Zealand – which means the work we do carries real scale, real responsibility, and a genuine opportunity to improve health outcomes for our nation. 

As we grow to be about assurance as well as insurance – a more proactive partner in our members' health – we're building a new Data & AI function from the ground up. This role is part of a small team working out, quickly and practically, what AI and automation can actually do for the business. 

You'll turn early ideas into working prototypes in days rather than months, so the team has real evidence before committing further investment. 

About the role 

You’ll help turn early ideas into prototypes, builds it and tests whether it actually works. You'll build and test AI agents, automation workflows and integrations, figure out quickly what's genuinely viable, and hand off what's proven so the business can embed and scale it. 

You'll move between hands-on coding and plain conversations with the business about what's possible. You need to be as comfortable explaining a trade-off to a stakeholder as you are shipping the code behind it.  

What you'll do 

• Build and iterate on AI-driven prototypes, scripts and automation workflows 

• Experiment with generative AI tools, agent frameworks and orchestration platforms: Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT and whatever comes next 

• Connect APIs, SaaS tools and data systems to test how a workflow holds up in practice 

• Turn ambiguous business ideas into small, testable technical experiments 

• Work closely with analysts, engineers and business teams to validate concepts fast 

• Document what works, what doesn't, and what's worth taking further 

• Demonstrate working prototypes to stakeholders, so decisions are based on something real 

What you'll bring 

• You’ll have strong hands-on experience with generative AI tools and modern LLM-based systems.  

• Experience building integrations through APIs, webhooks and automation platforms 

• A practical understanding of how automated workflows are put together 

• A strong technical AI, ML, software or analytics engineering background, with enough grounding to know what's realistic 

• Good judgement about what's worth testing and what isn't viable 

• Clear communication – you can explain technical feasibility in plain terms, and say when something won't work 

• Curiosity about what's possible in AI, while being pragmatic about solutions 

• Comfortable working without a complete brief, and quick to ship something functional 

Why join us 

We're investing – in people, in technology, and in the mission. At a time when the market is hesitant, we're continuing to invest in strengthening our foundations and building our capabilities. 

We're building something worth joining. Our teams are growing, our employer brand is gaining real traction in market, and the way we show up for our members and each other is being noticed. This momentum has also been reflected externally – in 2026, Southern Cross placed 8th in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index and 5th in New Zealand for Trust. 

Who we are 

Ngākau nui. Āhurutanga. Tikanga. 

Join a proud, diverse team that's always there, always real, always true. If you thrive in a caring, honest and open culture, we think you'll love working with us. 

We know our team's culture and wellbeing drive us forward. That's why we prioritise not only professional development but opportunities to thrive personally. We offer exceptional work/life balance, and our people are encouraged – and rewarded – for living well. 

Southern Cross employee benefits include: 

• Five days of wellbeing leave per year 

• Health insurance for you and your immediate whānau 

• Life insurance cover and discounts on pet and travel insurance 

• Extra parental leave benefits and financial wellbeing support 

• Participation in our workplace wellbeing programme 

• The option to purchase flexi leave for study, volunteering, or supporting your whānau 

• An annual volunteer day to contribute to a cause with your team 

This role is Auckland based. While we appreciate interest from candidates in other locations, we're not able to consider remote options at this stage. If this sounds like the kind of work you want to help shape, we'd love to hear from you.

Have questions? Check out our FAQs for help with the application and recruitment process.

We are proud to have taken the Pride Pledge, reflecting our commitment to inclusion and belonging. We also facilitate an active, employee‑led Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Forum, which includes our Rainbow Network, Māori Network, Pasifika Collective, and Neurodiversity and Whānau Support networks.

If you share our commitment and passion, we'd love to hear from you.