Chief Engineer / Mechanical Engineering Project Lead

Gramian Consulting Group; New Zealand; Remote; NZD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Gramian Consulting Group seeks a Chief Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead AI-focused engineering projects with emphasis on mechanical design, multidisciplinary leadership, and rigorous analysis. Role involves translating objectives into actionable requirements and coordinating across disciplines.

Responsibilities include design verification, manufacturing and testing guidance, and delivering measurable project outcomes. Remote work options available; NZ-based applicants are welcome.

Qualifications

• Substantial professional experience as a Chief Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer.
• Proven experience leading complex engineering projects across disciplines.
• Strong expertise in mechanical design and engineering analysis.
• Practical knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles.
• Experience with technical verification, engineering testing, and root-cause analysis.
• Ability to translate complex engineering objectives into structured requirements, technical tasks, and measurable acceptance criteria.
• English proficiency at B2 level or higher.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design realistic engineering projects involving mechanical design, engineering analysis, manufacturing, and testing.
• Develop project scenarios that reflect practical engineering challenges and industry workflows.
• Translate high-level project objectives into detailed engineering requirements, operating constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.
• Break complex engineering problems into interconnected tasks with clearly defined inputs, outputs, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Define responsibilities and technical contributions for specialists across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Establish technical evaluation criteria to assess the quality, feasibility, and completeness of engineering solutions.
• Apply engineering judgment to assess design decisions, technical trade-offs, and project constraints.
• Incorporate design verification, manufacturing considerations, testing procedures, and root-cause analysis into project workflows.
• Ensure that project tasks reflect realistic engineering standards, processes, and professional practices.

Skills

Mechanical design

Engineering analysis

Project leadership

DFMA

Root-cause analysis

Technical communication

English proficiency

Job description

About Gramian
Gramian Consultancy is a boutique consultancy specializing in IT professional services and engineering talent solutions. With a strong background in software engineering and leadership, we help companies build high-performing teams by matching them with professionals who truly fit their needs.
About the Job
We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer to contribute to a specialized AI training project focused on complex, real-world engineering workflows.

This role is designed for senior engineering professionals with a strong background in mechanical design, multidisciplinary project leadership, engineering analysis, and technical execution. You will use your industry experience to design realistic engineering projects, translate complex objectives into practical technical requirements, coordinate contributions from different engineering disciplines, and establish measurable evaluation criteria.

The ideal candidate has experience leading projects from initial concept through design, manufacturing, testing, and delivery, and can break down complex engineering challenges into structured tasks with clear technical expectations. Previous AI experience is not required.

• CONTRACT: Contractor
• LOCATION: Remote – US-based candidates preferred; worldwide candidates with strong relevant experience considered.
• PROJECT: AI training focused on complex engineering workflows.
• AI EXPERIENCE: Not required.
• FOCUS AREAS: Mechanical engineering, technical leadership, multidisciplinary project design, engineering analysis, manufacturing, and testing.

Key Responsibilities

Design realistic engineering projects involving mechanical design, engineering analysis, manufacturing, and testing.

Develop project scenarios that reflect practical engineering challenges and industry workflows.

Translate high-level project objectives into detailed engineering requirements, operating constraints, and measurable acceptance criteria.

Break complex engineering problems into interconnected tasks with clearly defined inputs, outputs, dependencies, and deliverables.

Define responsibilities and technical contributions for specialists across multiple engineering disciplines.

Establish technical evaluation criteria to assess the quality, feasibility, and completeness of engineering solutions.

Apply engineering judgment to assess design decisions, technical trade-offs, and project constraints.

Incorporate design verification, manufacturing considerations, testing procedures, and root-cause analysis into project workflows.

Ensure that project tasks reflect realistic engineering standards, processes, and professional practices.

Requirements

Substantial professional experience as a Chief Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer, or in a comparable engineering leadership position.

Proven experience leading complex engineering projects involving multiple technical disciplines.

Strong expertise in mechanical design and engineering analysis.

Practical knowledge of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles.

Experience with technical verification, engineering testing, and root-cause analysis.

Ability to translate complex engineering objectives into structured requirements, technical tasks, and measurable acceptance criteria.

Experience coordinating technical contributions and managing dependencies across engineering teams.

English proficiency at B2 level or higher.

Strong analytical, organizational, and technical communication skills.

Chief Engineer / Mechanical Engineering Project Lead NZ