Lead Mechanical Engineer

Jobtailor; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking a lead mechanical engineer to drive brownfield and sustaining capital projects across New Zealand. You will develop options, provide clear client recommendations, and guide studies from concept to delivery with site support.

The role blends office engineering, client engagement, and regular site involvement. You will mentor engineers, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and travel to client sites nationwide to understand operations and build lasting relationships with

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified Mechanical Engineer.
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, dairy, food & beverage, energy, or processing environments.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and sound engineering judgement.
• Experience leading projects or workstreams.
• Ability to assess technical options and communicate recommendations clearly.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working within brownfield or operating industrial environments.
• Consulting and/or site-based experience within process industries highly regarded.
• Willingness to travel to client sites across New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering work across brownfield and sustaining capital projects.
• Develop and assess engineering options and provide clear recommendations to clients.
• Guide projects from early-stage studies through delivery and site support.
• Build relationships with clients and key project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the growth of mechanical capability.
• Travel to client sites across New Zealand to support projects and understand client operations.
• Combine office-based engineering, client engagement, and regular site involvement.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relationship building

Communication

Brownfield/operating environments

Option assessment & recommendations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Lead mechanical engineering work across brownfield and sustaining capital projects
Develop and assess engineering options and provide clear recommendations to clients
Guide projects from early-stage studies through delivery and site support
Build relationships with clients and key project stakeholders
Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams
Mentor engineers and contribute to the growth of mechanical capability
Travel to client sites across New Zealand to support projects and understand client operations
Combine office-based engineering, client engagement, and regular site involvement

Requirements

• Degree-qualified Mechanical Engineer
• Experience in industrial, manufacturing, dairy, food & beverage, energy, or processing environments
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals and sound engineering judgement
• Experience leading projects or workstreams
• Ability to assess technical options and communicate recommendations clearly
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Experience working within brownfield or operating industrial environments
• Consulting and/or site-based experience within process industries highly regarded
• Willingness to travel to client sites across New Zealand

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in mechanical engineering with a focus on leading projects in industrial and process environments. Strong ability to assess technical options, communicate effectively, and build relationships with clients and stakeholders.