Processing Equipment Engineer

Goodman Fielder; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodman Fielder in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking a Milk Plant Processing Equipment Engineer to lead the optimization, maintenance and continuous improvement of our dairy processing assets. You will ensure safe, efficient and compliant operations within a busy milk production facility.

You will work on pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators and CIP systems, improve throughput and energy efficiency, and troubleshoot mechanical and control system issues.

Qualifications

• Experience in dairy, food processing, or beverage manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with milk processing equipment and sanitary systems.
• Knowledge of HTST/UHT pasteurization, homogenization, separation, and fluid handling.
• Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA, and industrial automation.
• Understanding sanitary piping design and hygienic standards.
• 2980 welding ticket is useful but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Improve dairy processing systems including pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
• Optimize plant throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and control system issue and reduce downtime through root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
• Ensure equipment and processes comply with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP).

Skills

Milk processing equipment

Sanitary systems

PLCs/SCADA

Industrial automation

Hygienic piping design

Education

Level 4 NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Maintenance Engineering strand)

Tools

Welding ticket 2980

Job description

The Company At Goodman Fielder our purpose is simple. It's about making everyday food better for everyone. Goodman Fielder is a leading global food company, and the custodian of a host of iconic Kiwi brands like Meadow Fresh, Puhoi Valley, Molenberg, Natures Fresh and Freya's that generations of New Zealand have grown up with and put in their supermarket trolleys every week. We might be biased but we believe our team here at Goodman Fielder is an amazing place to work, and a great team to be part of! We're driven by our values - We Grow Together, We Keep Things Simple, We Get Stuff Done.

About the Role

We are looking for a Milk Plant Processing Equipment Engineer who will take responsibility for the optimization, maintenance, and continuous improvement of dairy processing equipment within a milk production facility. This role ensures safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operations while supporting production, quality, and food safety objectives.

• Improve dairy processing systems including pasteurizers, homogenizers, separators, and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.
• Optimize plant throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and control system issue and reduce downtime through root cause analysis and corrective action planning.
• Ensure equipment and processes comply with food safety standards (e.g., HACCP, GMP).

About You

In order to make this role a success you will be an experienced engineer preferably with experience in the dairy, food processing, or beverage manufacturing industry.

Skillsets, qualifications and experience we are looking for

• Level 4 NZ Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) – Maintenance Engineering strand
• Hands-on experience with milk processing equipment and sanitary systems (preferred)
• Knowledge of pasteurization systems (HTST/UHT), homogenization, separation, and fluid handling systems (preferred)
• Familiarity with PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial automation
• Understanding sanitary piping design and hygienic standards
• 2980 welding ticket (useful but not essential)

What we can offer

You will be joining a driven team of professionals who genuinely enjoy working together resulting in a highly collaborative and flexible work environment. In return for your passion and success, we will reward you with a competitive remuneration package and help you to achieve personal and professional growth and development. At Goodman Fielder, we aim to be a destination employer in the food industry where we don't just offer jobs - we offer long-term careers.