Data & Optimisation Engineer

Potentia; Invercargill City; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Potentia invites applications for a role based in Invercargill focused on owning scanning technology across the operation. You will implement, calibrate, maintain and optimise systems to improve wood recovery in sawmill and remanufacturing settings.

The role includes analyzing performance data, developing workflows and collaborating with production/engineering teams to embed improvements and reduce waste. A future‑oriented position with impact on production efficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience with high-precision scanning systems and data analysis.
• Background in wood processing or manufacturing is beneficial.
• Ability to translate data into actionable operational improvements.
• Ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Managing and improving scanning systems used to assess wood quality and recovery decisions
• Analysing data to identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve utilization
• Developing algorithms, methods and workflows to support better production outcomes
• Working with production and engineering teams to embed improvements
• Providing training, guidance and hands-on support to operational teams
• Contributing to R&D activities related to scanning, optimisation and production efficiency

Skills

Data analysis

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Collaboration

Technical aptitude

Education

Background in IT/Engineering

Tools

High-precision scanning systems

Data analysis software

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.

This is a technically interesting role for someone who understands how data, scanning technology and operational performance come together.

Based in Invercargill, you’ll help improve wood recovery across sawmill and remanufacturing operations. You’ll work with high-precision scanning systems, analyse performance data, and turn those insights into practical improvements that reduce waste and support better production outcomes.

There is also future scope here. With a focus on optimisation and emerging technology, this role gives you the chance to shape how scanning and data-led decision‑making continue to evolve across the operation.

Company Profile:

You’ll be joining an established manufacturing business with a strong operational footprint and a practical, improvement-focused environment. This is a place where technical expertise is valued, and where your work can have a direct and measurable impact on business performance.

The Role:

You’ll take ownership of scanning technology across the operation, including implementation, calibration, maintenance and ongoing optimisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and improving scanning systems that assess wood quality and support recovery decisions
• Analysing data to identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve utilisation
• Developing algorithms, methods and workflows that support better production outcomes
• Working closely with production and engineering teams to embed improvements
• Providing training, guidance and hands-on support to operational teams
• Contributing to research and development activity linked to scanning, optimisation and production efficiency

The Opportunity:

This is a technically interesting role for someone who understands how data, scanning technology and operational performance come together.

Based in Invercargill, you’ll help improve wood recovery across sawmill and remanufacturing operations. You’ll work with high-precision scanning systems, analyse performance data, and turn those insights into practical improvements that reduce waste and support better production outcomes.

There is also future scope here. With a focus on optimisation and emerging technology, this role gives you the chance to shape how scanning and data-led decision‑making continue to evolve across the operation.

Company Profile:

You’ll be joining an established manufacturing business with a strong operational footprint and a practical, improvement-focused environment. This is a place where technical expertise is valued, and where your work can have a direct and measurable impact on business performance.

The Role:

You’ll take ownership of scanning technology across the operation, including implementation, calibration, maintenance and ongoing optimisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and improving scanning systems that assess wood quality and support recovery decisions
• Analysing data to identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve utilisation
• Developing algorithms, methods and workflows that support better production outcomes
• Working closely with production and engineering teams to embed improvements
• Providing training, guidance and hands-on support to operational teams
• Contributing to research and development activity linked to scanning, optimisation and production efficiency

Your Fit:

You’ll bring a mix of technical capability, analytical thinking and practical communication skills.

You may come from wood processing, sawmilling, timber production, manufacturing, production technology, or another environment where scanning systems and data are used to improve operational performance.

You’ll likely have

• Experience with high-precision scanning systems, data analysis, or production optimisation
• A background in IT, Computer Science, Sawmilling, Engineering, Manufacturing or equivalent practical experience
• The ability to turn complex data into clear, useful operational improvements
• Confidence working with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• A collaborative approach and the ability to support teams through change
• Familiarity with sawmilling or timber production would be useful, but it is not essential.