Mechanical Process Engineer

JobSpace; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Jora New Zealand is seeking a Mechanical Process Engineer to join the Engineering Centre of Excellence in Upper Hutt. You will lead complex process improvement initiatives, apply data-driven problem solving, and drive make-test-release activities to meet site KPIs.

This permanent, full-time role offers 40 hours per week, competitive NZD salary, and opportunities for professional development as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliant, cost-effective product supply across

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Engineering or equivalent required.
• Experience in process or mechanical engineering in GMP environments preferred.
• Strong data-analysis or data-visualization skills.
• Proven track record in solving complex problems and driving improvements.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and coach teams in manufacturing/engineering settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead local, site and global projects in the Mechanical Process Engineering domain.
• Drive CAPA options and select based on business need and practicality.
• Promote process improvements to reduce cycle time, improve yield, and control costs.
• Present data-based arguments to Site Leadership Team to secure sponsorship for priority projects.

Skills

Process engineering

Mechanical engineering

Data analytics

Microsoft Office

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Associate degree in Engineering

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.

Permanent, full-time role with competitive remuneration and benefits

Location: Onsite at Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand

Career growth: Expand your expertise in a growing, successful industry

Hours of work: 40 hours a week

Salary Range: NZD $120,000 to $150,000 base + benefits

Professional development: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic, evolving role

As a Mechanical Process Engineer, you will support the Engineering Centre of Excellence to meet site KPIs by proactively delivering projects across the site. You will lead complex problem solving and improvement initiatives and perform advanced process and technical activities.

You will play a key role in ensuring compliant, unconstrained product supply for our Animal Health site at a cost that meets customer needs.

Using your deep process and mechanical engineering expertise, and strong knowledge of equipment and process improvement, you will at times present data to the Site Leadership Team to secure sponsorship for priority projects and initiatives.

You will apply proven project management skills to influence, partner and collaborate across all functions, identifying and managing complex projects and system improvements.

You will use your technical knowledge to design and execute site and global processes and systems that enable a consistent make-test-release rhythm and drive equipment and system improvements at the right cost. You will proactively involve stakeholders, consider different perspectives, and optimise approaches to gain acceptance and commitment to action.

Responsibilities include, however not limited to:

Leadership and Collaboration

• Act as the Mechanical Process Engineering leader for your area, partnering with stakeholders to deliver COE (Centre of Excellence) targets
• Anticipate and solve complex process and equipment issues, generate multiple CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) options, and select based on business need and practicality
• Challenge site processes and procedures to identify improvements in process, quality, safety and cost, taking a lead role in remediation (e.g. process flow, equipment options, utility analysis)
• Present to SLT (Site Leadership Team) with clear arguments for projects, processes and change, using historical data effectively (e.g. time series of utilities demand, Pareto of breakdowns with time/cost and mitigations)
• Lead and participate in meetings at multiple levels, using project management and process improvement tools
• Network with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) and colleagues across the site and within and outside of our company
• Communicate to align and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Reflect with stakeholders to improve collaboration and ways of working

Projects and Improvement Activities

• Lead local, site and global projects of any size with cross-functional stakeholders, using proven project management tools in your technical area (e.g. new equipment installation)
• Represent your area on larger site initiatives (e.g. sustainability improvements, new product launches)
• Own complex system enablers relevant to your technical area across the site (e.g. IQV (Installation Qualification Verification), engineering standards, safety and Quality SSO (Sub-System Owner))
• Improve and communicate system visibility for status of projects, products and materials to ensure alignment with cross-functional teams (e.g. spare parts by project, team capability charts, site energy demand charts)
• Assess and analyse data proactively to uncover opportunities and recommend actions (e.g. reduce cycle time, improve yield, reduce rework, control charts for yields, schedule adherence, release times, equipment uptime, MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure))

Coaching and Technical Execution

• Promote safety, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and compliance through coaching and routine tasks, including pre-startup safety checks and process hazard checks (LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out), safety interlocks, alarms, pressure relief devices), especially on projects
• Verify readiness of utilities, raw materials and instrument calibration
• Confirm equipment configuration and sanitary connections (valves, seals, filters)
• Teach systematic pre-start checklists and verification sign-offs
• Use data-trending to detect parameter drift early
• Role-play abnormal scenarios (e.g. pump failure, filter fouling) and corrective actions
• Perform walkdowns and apply RCA (Root Cause Analysis) methods (5 Whys, fishbone) to reach data-based conclusions
• Track and act on MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure), MTTR (Mean Time To Repair) and spares usage
• Teach FMEA (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) mindset for critical equipment
• Conduct process capability studies (Cp, Cpk) and root-cause analysis for variability
• Prepare for audits and inspections and support audit responses
• Manage and improve SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), own deviations, CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions), changes and Enablon entries related to your area
• Train and coach area and COE staff in your technical domain and on systems and tools

What You Must have

• Associate degree in Engineering or an equivalent field
• Knowledge and experience in Process Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, preferably in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) controlled business
• Skills in data analytics and presenting complex problems, proficiency with Microsoft Office, and strong numerical ability
• Proven track record in problem solving, continuous improvement, and project management
• Solid experience in individual leadership, including influencing stakeholders and coaching staff in a manufacturing or engineering environment
• A strong team player with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills, able to operate in a controlled environment

What You Can Expect

• Autonomy with strong support in a trusted, global, leading Animal Health organisation
• Ongoing development and upskilling with exposure to different projects and technologies
• Flexibility with pathways to broaden your skill set and access new opportunities
• A collaborative team of like-minded professionals who share knowledge and drive improvement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing varied, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when varied ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and multicultural workplace.