Ready to use your software development experience differently?

You’ve built software. You understand what it takes to solve technical problems, test ideas, work through uncertainty and turn concepts into something that works.

But your next career move doesn’t necessarily need to be another developer role.

Deloitte’s Christchurch R&D Tax Incentives team is looking for a Software Developer or technology professional who wants to move into consulting . You’ll use your technical background to understand the innovative work being undertaken by New Zealand businesses, while developing new skills across consulting, commercial problem-solving, client relationships and R&D incentives.

You don’t need a background in tax. We can teach you that.

What matters is that you understand technology, can communicate with technical people and are curious about how businesses innovate.

You’ll join a supportive Deloitte team working with clients undertaking R&D across technology and other sectors, with structured learning and opportunities to build a career beyond traditional software development.

We invest in all of our people through learning, development and professional growth opportunities, while offering flexibility and wellbeing support to help you thrive both professionally and personally. No matter your career stage, you'll be part of a values-led organisation committed to inclusion, innovation and making an impact that matters.

What does an R&D Tax Incentives Consultant actually do?

Think less tax compliance, more understanding how and why technology is being built.

Your software development experience will help you have credible conversations with developers, technical leads and other specialists about the problems they are solving, what they tried, what technical uncertainty they encountered and what was involved in developing their solution.

You’ll learn how to assess this work against New Zealand’s R&D Tax Incentive requirements and help clients prepare their claims. The role combines technical investigation, writing, analysis, consulting and client interaction.

Your typical work will include

- Meeting developers, engineers and technical leaders to understand their projects, technology and development challenges.
- Asking the right technical questions to identify activities that may qualify as R&D.
- Turning complex technical discussions into clear, structured documentation.
- Learning how technology investment, project costs and R&D expenditure fit together.
- Working across multiple clients, giving you exposure to different technologies, businesses and industries.
- Building relationships with clients and becoming someone they trust to understand both their technology and their business.
- Working alongside experienced Deloitte specialists who will teach you the R&D incentive and consulting aspects of the role.

This is an opportunity to work with some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most innovative technology companies and start-ups, understanding their businesses and the technology problems they are solving.

If you enjoy technology but aren’t certain that writing code every day is where you want your career to stay, this role gives you another path.

You keep the value of your technical experience, while adding commercial, advisory and client-facing capability. Over time, that creates career options across technology consulting, innovation and professional services.

This role could suit you if you have

Previous tax, accounting or R&D Tax Incentive experience is not required. We’re more interested in your technical foundation, communication skills and appetite to learn.

If you’re thinking, “I’m a developer, not a tax consultant” , that is exactly why this opportunity may be worth considering.

Requirements

Around 2–3+ years’ experience in software development, software engineering or a closely related technology role.; Practical understanding of the software development lifecycle and how technical teams solve problems.; The confidence to discuss technical concepts with developers and translate them for a non-technical audience.; Strong written communication skills.; Curiosity about different technologies, businesses and industries.; An analytical approach and an interest in understanding the commercial side of technology.; A relevant qualification in software engineering, computer science, technology, engineering or a related discipline.

Benefits

Flexible ways of working; Ongoing learning, development and career progression; Support for professional qualifications and certifications; Wellbeing initiatives and employee support programmes; Additional leave and community impact opportunities; An inclusive and collaborative culture where you can be yourself