Product Development Engineer

People Inc; Timaru; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support available

Job summary

People Inc in Timaru is seeking a Product Development Engineer to bridge product design and manufacturing. You will take concepts through to production, improve existing products, and collaborate with manufacturing teams to deliver practical, commercially viable solutions.

Role emphasizes strong CAD capability, SOP development, and cross-functional collaboration on floor improvements to drive quality, cost efficiency and safety.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' solid work experience as either a Product Development Engineer, Industrial Design Engineer &/or similar role.
• Exposure within a manufacturing, machinery, fabrication, or heavy engineering environment.
• Proven ability to take designs through to practical manufacturing outcomes.
• Proven experience creating and maintaining SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Strong 3D CAD capability and confidence producing accurate engineering drawings.
• Practical problem-solving ability and confidence working directly with production teams on the floor.
• A structured, detail-focused approach with the judgement to balance quality, cost, delivery, and safety.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to translate technical information into practical actions.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and manage mechanical products, components, and equipment for agricultural machinery.
• Reviewing and improving new and existing engineering drawings, workflows, and manufacturing methods.
• Developing and embedding SOPs and work instructions.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.
• Design and improve tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production methods.
• Support new product roll out- introductions, design changes, and product improvement initiatives.
• Identifying and resolving design, fabrication, welding, assembly, and production challenges.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects focused on Design for Manufacture (DFM), quality, efficiency, cost, and safety.

Skills

3D CAD

Manufacturing knowledge

Problem solving

Communication skills

SOPs & process docs

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.

Product Development Engineer - Timaru

Our client is a fast-growing New Zealand manufacturing business supplying agricultural equipment across local and international markets. With demand increasing, they need someone who can take control of the production function and lead from the front.

The Opportunity

This is a newly created permanent role and we're looking for an experienced Product Development, Mechanical or Industrial Design Engineer or similar, who can bridge the gap between product design and manufacturing.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys taking ideas from concept through to production, improving existing products, and working closely with manufacturing teams to create practical, commercially viable solutions.

What you'll be doing:

• Design, develop and manage mechanical products, components, and equipment for agricultural machinery.
• Reviewing and improving new and existing engineering drawings, workflows, and manufacturing methods.
• Developing and embedding SOPs and work instructions.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of materials.
• Design and improve tooling, jigs, fixtures, and production methods.
• Support new product roll out- introductions, design changes, and product improvement initiatives.
• Identifying and resolving design, fabrication, welding, assembly, and production challenges.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects focused on Design for Manufacture (DFM), quality, efficiency, cost, and safety.

About You

You will have a strong understanding of structural steel fabrication and welding processes.

You are likely already working in a Product Development Engineering or Industrial Design Engineering role and are confident in your ability to step into a business and quickly assess how things can be improved.

• Minimum 5 years' solid work experience as either a Product Development Engineer, Industrial Design Engineer &/ or similar role.
• Exposure within a manufacturing, machinery, fabrication, or heavy engineering environment.
• Proven ability to take designs through to practical manufacturing outcomes.
• Proven experience creating and maintaining SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Strong 3D CAD capability and confidence producing accurate engineering drawings.
• Practical problem-solving ability and confidence working directly with production teams on the floor.
• A structured, detail-focused approach with the judgement to balance quality, cost, delivery, and safety.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to translate technical information into practical actions.

What's in It for You

• Competitive base salary (Up to $150K dependant on experience) + Company bonus
• High level of ownership and influence
• Relocation support available for the rightcandidate
• Long-term career opportunity with a growing NZ business
• Genuine development opportunities and on-going training
• Permanent Full-time (approx. 50 hours per week)
• Monday to Friday (7:00am - 5:00pm), with an opportunity to finish a bit earlier on Fridays!