Strategic Technology Architect

Role overview

Tait Communications is looking for a Strategic Technology Architect to help shape the next generation of its mission-critical technology landscape. This position suits someone who enjoys thinking several steps ahead, studying emerging technologies in depth, and turning that understanding into a practical architectural direction with commercial value.

As a key voice in the CTO Office, you will influence long-term architecture decisions and examine how advances in LMR, LTE/5G/6G, AI and machine learning, sensing, cloud and edge computing, and automation can improve outcomes for customers in public safety, utilities, and transportation.

This is not a conceptual-only architecture position, and it is not a hands-on proof-of-concept build role. The focus is on linking technology foresight with customer outcomes, business impact, and investment priorities so the architecture evolves with purpose and clarity.

Public safety, utilities, and transportation are in the middle of a major technology shift. AI, cloud, sensing, and the evolution from 5G toward 6G will reshape what mission-critical systems can do.

Why this role matters

• Help define the future architecture for mission-critical communications and field intelligence.
• Contribute to technology that field workers and first responders depend on every day.
• Support innovation that strengthens safety, resilience, and operational performance.
• Assess emerging technologies and determine which ideas can become real products.

If you enjoy combining architecture, research, and meaningful real-world impact, this role offers a rare opportunity to do all three.

Key responsibilities

• Design the next-generation mission-critical architecture across LMR, LTE/5G, 6G, cloud and edge, AI-enabled capabilities, and multimodal sensing.
• Track emerging technologies continuously and judge how well they fit mission-critical environments.
• Study industry trends, technology maturity, ecosystem readiness, and likely adoption paths.
• Recommend architectural directions based on technical depth and operational realities.
• Review market movement, competition, and adoption trends to inform timing and investment decisions.
• Work with product and commercial teams to ensure architectural choices align with business cases, customer value, and go-to-market opportunity.
• Explain emerging technology and architecture in terms of customer benefit, return on investment, risk reduction, and strategic value, not just technical feasibility.
• Support internal innovation teams by setting architectural hypotheses and criteria for POCs that will be carried out by other teams.
• Partner with engineering, product, and standards teams to maintain alignment with the long-term architecture.
• Provide the CTO with architectural insight, strategic analysis, and recommendations on technology direction.

About you

To be successful, you should hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a closely related discipline, along with substantial experience in advanced architecture or innovation-focused technology roles.

Required experience and knowledge

• At least 7 years of experience in advanced technology architecture, systems engineering, R&D strategy, or innovation roles.
• Solid knowledge of LMR, LTE, and 5G, plus working awareness of 6G direction and likely evolution.
• Experience with cloud/edge architectures, distributed systems, or intelligent field technologies.
• Understanding of operational workflows and constraints in public safety, utility, or transportation environments.
• Strong ability to convert technology trends into architectural guidance and strategic insight.
• Ability to frame AI opportunities as customer value, business rationale, and strategic recommendations, with awareness that AI is now a core enabler in next-generation mission-critical systems.

Bonus capabilities

• Practical exposure to AI-enabled features used in mission-critical settings, helpful for judging feasibility and architectural fit; hands-on ML model development is not required, though it would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of MCX, PTT, dispatch systems, radio/core networks, or hybrid LMR and broadband architectures.
• Experience in CTO, innovation, advanced research, or long-range architecture roles.

What Tait offers

• A supportive, inclusive, high-performance culture shaped by the values of Commitment to Listen, Courage to Act, and Integrity to Deliver.
• Wellbeing support including health benefits after 12 months, annual flu vaccinations, and extra sick leave during the first year.
• Long-service recognition benefits.
• Opportunities to learn, grow, and work with a world-class team building impactful solutions.

About Tait Communications

With more than 50 years of experience, Tait Communications has designed, delivered, and supported critical communications networks for public safety, transportation, and utility customers around the world. The company was founded in Christchurch by Sir Angus Tait and now operates globally.

The workplace is collaborative and inventive, with a strong focus on using technology to make a real difference for communities. Joining Tait means working with people who value expertise, curiosity, and meaningful impact.

Application notes

Applications are reviewed as they come in, and the role will remain open until it is filled. Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter. Submitted CVs will be retained unless removal is requested.