Controls Engineer - Engineering & Automation

Crescent Consulting; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Crescent Consulting in Christchurch is seeking an experienced automation controls engineer to join a small, close-knit team. You will own the full lifecycle of bespoke automation equipment, from concept through panel build, programming and commissioning, including on customer sites.

You'll collaborate with mechanical designers and site teams to translate machine concepts into sensor-driven, sequenced control systems, using Rockwell or similar PLC platforms, and support equipment in demanding

Qualifications

• Hands-on controls/automation engineering experience

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of automation equipment from concept to commissioning.
• Panel build, programming, testing and on-site commissioning
• Collaborate with mechanical designers and site teams to implement sensor-driven control sequences
• Support equipment operating in demanding environments worldwide

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Crescent Consulting - Christchurch, South Island

Our client has been designing and building automation equipment for over a century, growing from a local engineering firm into a business with manufacturing and service operations globally. Their equipment moves product through some of the world's largest processing plants, mining operations and appliance manufacturers, supplying major international customers across those sectors.

The Christchurch site has a strong pipeline of work ahead and is continuing to grow its engineering team to support this and the company's wider global growth plans.

The role

You'll join a small, close-knit engineering team responsible for the full lifecycle of bespoke automation equipment, working alongside mechanical design engineers to turn a machine concept into a fully specified, sensor-driven, automated system. This is genuine end-to-end controls work, the kind where you decide exactly how a machine needs to sequence itself, specify every VFD, servo drive and sensor it needs, and build and program the control system to match.

You'll see equipment through from panel build to commissioning, both here and on customer sites overseas, and support machines already operating in demanding environments, from freezing works run at a few degrees all day to equipment sitting out in 50 degree Western Australian heat.

What you'll bring

Hands-on controls/automation engineering experience, including PLC programming (Rockwell or similar platforms) and electrical control system design

Confidence working across mechanical/electrical integration, robotics and automated material handling, ideally in a machine building, food processing or industrial equipment environment

A practical, problem-solving approach and comfort working alongside mechanical designers, fabricators and site teams to get equipment from panel to production

Nice to have: registered electrician status, giving you the ability to work directly on 400V systems as well as design them.

What's on offer

A genuinely varied automation environment spanning meat processing, mining, materials handling and appliance manufacturing, with equipment shipped to customers worldwide. You'll work out of a modern, well-equipped site, with the autonomy to own your control system designs end to end and a relaxed, down-to-earth team culture rather than a corporate one. Our client invests in developing its engineers rather than treating them as short-term project resource, and offers real career progression within a business with a clear growth strategy.

Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.