61242 Science Engineer - Scion

NIWA; Rotorua; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recharge

Grow Your Career

Health & Wellbeing

Job summary

Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao in Rotorua, New Zealand, seeks a Science Services Engineer to maintain and enhance core infrastructure, equipment, and technical systems. You will translate scientific needs into practical engineering solutions and support organisational success.

The role combines hands-on engineering with project leadership, asset management, and collaboration across internal teams and external partners.

Qualifications

• A recognised trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in asset management, maintenance planning, engineering project delivery and contractor management.
• Strong technical capability, including experience with CAD systems and mechanical infrastructure maintenance.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the lifecycle management of science equipment and infrastructure, including procurement, installation, maintenance, upgrades, and replacement planning.
• Provide specialist engineering expertise to support research programmes, translating scientific requirements into practical solutions.
• Manage and deliver engineering and infrastructure projects from scoping and design through commissioning and quality assurance.
• Drive strategic asset planning and continuous improvement while building relationships with scientists, facilities teams, contractors and stakeholders.
• Participate in the facilities rostered on-call response programme, 7 days at a time, 24/7 to alarms from the building management system.

Skills

Asset management

Project leadership

Engineering expertise

Technical communication

Education

Trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Science Services Engineer
Bioeconomy Science Institute
Rotorua, New Zealand
Vacancy number: 61242
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time

Be Part of Science That Makes a Difference

As our second Science Services Engineer, you'll work alongside science, facilities and leadership teams to ensure the infrastructure, equipment and technical systems that underpin our research environments remain safe, reliable and fit for the future. Your expertise will help translate scientific needs into practical engineering solutions, enabling innovation and supporting organisational success.

We're looking for someone who combines strong engineering capability with a proactive and collaborative approach. You'll provide specialist advice, lead projects, manage critical assets and build trusted relationships across the organisation and with external partners. If you enjoy solving complex challenges, driving continuous improvement, and making a meaningful impact through engineering excellence, this role is for you.

At BSI, we offer excellent employee benefits and flexibility, such as;

• Recharge

Generous additional annual leave and paid parental leave.

• Grow Your Career
• Health & Wellbeing
  Excellent benefit choices in retirement savings, comprehensive wellbeing and health benefits with enhanced sick leave.

What you will be doing | Ngā whāinga matua

In this role, you will:

• Lead the lifecycle management of science equipment and infrastructure, including procurement, installation, maintenance, upgrades, and replacement planning.
• Provide specialist engineering expertise to support research programmes, translating scientific requirements into practical and innovative technical solutions.
• Manage and deliver engineering and infrastructure projects, from scoping and design through to commissioning, contractor management, and quality assurance.
• Drive strategic asset planning and continuous improvement initiatives while building strong relationships with scientists, facilities teams, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Actively participate in the facilities rostered on call response programme, requiring 7 days at one time (rostered) responding 24/7 to alarms from the building management system.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A recognised trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, together with experience in an engineering environment (typically 6+ years).
• Demonstrated experience in asset management, maintenance planning, engineering project delivery, and contractor management within a complex operational environment.
• Strong technical capability, including experience with computer-aided design (CAD) systems and mechanical infrastructure maintenance.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach and a focus on delivering practical outcomes.

The Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao is New Zealand’s newest public research organisation, formed through the merger of AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, Scion, and the New Zealand Food Innovation Network. Our purpose is to drive innovation and commercial outcomes in the bioeconomy, using research and technology to support enduring economic growth and resilience, a healthy environment and beneficial social outcomes for New Zealand.

We are excited about this new chapter and welcome applicants who want to be part of our journey.

Further details about the Bioeconomy Science Institute can be found on our website, watch this Bioeconomy Science Institute short clip.