Lead Mechanical Engineer

JobSpace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurecon in New Zealand invites applications for Lead Mechanical Engineer – Energy & Industrial, with Christchurch as a base. You will lead multi-disciplinary projects across dairy, food & beverage, energy and manufacturing, shaping strategy and strengthening client partnerships across Aotearoa and Australia.

You’ll guide concept design, costing, detailed mechanical design, construction management and handover, while mentoring junior engineers and growing the decarbonisation portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent Washington Accord qualification.
• 10+ years' experience in a lead mechanical engineering role.
• Experience coordinating multi-discipline projects across engineering fields.
• Hygienic and pressure piping design, surge analysis, pipe stress and hydraulic analysis knowledge.
• Familiarity with PECPR requirements, AS/NZS 1170, ASME B31 codes or equivalents.
• Exposure to piping software such as AutoPIPE or PIPE-FLO.
• Demonstrated ability to build client relationships and win work.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of medium to large projects, meeting client expectations and business objectives.
• Oversee budgeting, design coordination, procurement, construction management, commissioning and handover.
• Provide technical leadership across mechanical and piping design and site problem solving.
• Mentor junior team members and develop capability within the group.
• Support business development and strengthen client relationships.
• Engage with clients and project sites across NZ to translate plant insights into practical engineering solutions.
• Embed decarbonisation and energy-efficient design into project delivery.

Skills

Mechanical design leadership

Dairy & beverage

Project management

Hygienic piping design

Pipe stress analysis

AS/NZS 1170 knowledge

PECPR awareness

Client relationship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoPIPE

PIPE-FLO

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Energy & Industrial

At Aurecon, we are optimistic about the future. We are thinkers, solvers, and collaborators who work with our clients to deliver the infrastructure and assets that strengthen communities and create a sustainable future.

We're hiring a Lead Mechanical Engineer to support strong growth across New Zealand's industrial and manufacturing sectors. In this role, you'll lead high-impact, multi-disciplinary projects across energy, resources, manufacturing, dairy, and food & beverage, while shaping strategy, strengthening client partnerships across Aotearoa and Australia, and mentoring emerging talent. This role is ideally based in Christchurch; however, we're open to candidates across our New Zealand offices for the right person.

What you'll do

As a Lead Mechanical Engineer, you'll lead the engineering and delivery of multi-disciplinary projects for key and platinum clients, guiding work from concept design and costing through to detailed mechanical design, construction management, commissioning, and handover.

Working closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams, you'll support sustaining capital projects in New Zealand while contributing to our growing decarbonisation portfolio. You'll also help grow our pipeline by identifying opportunities, strengthening client relationships, and supporting successful bids in line with our Energy & Industrial plan.

Key aspects of the role:

• Lead project delivery: Take responsibility for medium to large projects, delivering outcomes that meet client expectations and business objectives.
• Manage the project lifecycle: Oversee cost estimation, budgeting, design coordination, procurement, construction management, commissioning and handover.
• Lead mechanical design delivery: Provide practical technical leadership across mechanical and piping design, specifications, drawing management and site-based problem solving.
• Inspire and guide: Mentor junior team members, build capability, and enable the team to deliver exceptional client outcomes.
• Drive commercial outcomes: Strengthen client relationships, support business development, and contribute to winning work across priority sectors.
• Lead site-informed delivery: Engage with clients and project sites across New Zealand to turn practical plant insight into effective engineering solutions.
• Shape sustainable outcomes: Embed decarbonisation, energy-efficient design and emerging best practice into project delivery.

You’ll take the lead on complex projects, influence strategic outcomes, and play a key role in shaping the future of our Energy & Industrial business.

What you’ll bring

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical and commercial experience across dairy, food and beverage, clean industry, industrial manufacturing, or similar environments, ideally within New Zealand.

Alongside this, you will have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent Washington Accord qualification
• Proven experience in a similar lead mechanical engineering role, ideally with 10+ years' experience
• Strong project and design management experience coordinating multi-discipline projects, with broad awareness of related engineering disciplines
• Sound technical knowledge with hygienic and pressure piping system design, surge analysis, pipe stress and hydraulic analysis.
• Working knowledge with PECPR requirements, AS/NZS 1170, ASME B31 suite of codes or equivalent standards.
• Exposure to (or a willingness to learn) piping industry software such as AutoPIPE, PIPE-FLO, or similar.
• Demonstrated success building client relationships, identifying opportunities, and winning work

How we support your growth

We believe your career should be a rewarding adventure. You'll tackle complex infrastructure and industrial challenges in an environment that supports your ambitions and holds quality, care, and collaboration at the centre of how we work. Recognised by the AFR as a Best Place to Work in 2026, we embrace diverse perspectives and give you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Who we are

Aurecon is an engineering consultancy with more than 6,000 people across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Asia. In Aotearoa, our Energy & Industrial team is deeply engaged in projects that drive decarbonisation, support renewable energy transition, and uplift advanced industrial practices. You'll be joining a team that values curiosity, initiative, and a genuine desire to shape a more sustainable, resilient future.

Ready to lead meaningful work?

If you're ready to lead high-impact projects, strengthen trusted client relationships and help shape the future of New Zealand's industrial sector, we'd love to hear from you.

We are an equitable-opportunity employer that values diverse perspectives and the contribution that every one of our people makes to our culture. Put simply, we want you to bring your whole self!

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every criterion, your potential and the way you bring ideas to life matter most. We value your unique background and needs, and we're committed to a fair and inclusive process, so please let us know if you require any adjustments or support.

Our hiring decisions are made by people, not AI. We're most interested in your individual thinking and experiences—so please ensure your application reflects your authentic perspective.

Te whakahā i ngā whakaaro | Breathing life into our ideas, thoughts, views

Kia māia, kia kaha, mahi tahi | Be bold, be strong, work as one