Senior Associate Mechanical Engineer - Building Services

Jacobs; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Well-being benefits

Volunteer program

Employee Networks

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Senior Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our Buildings and Places team in New Zealand. You will lead the delivery of mechanical building services design across major projects, act as a senior client-facing lead and guide design through to construction.

You will mentor engineers, manage projects with budgetary discipline, and contribute to business growth while embracing a hybrid working policy across NZ offices and remote locations.

Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering mechanical building services in a consulting environment.
• Led complex building/infrastructure projects from concept to construction.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering design and consultancy for complex projects across New Zealand.
• Act as senior client-facing lead, building trusted relationships and advising across project lifecycle.
• Perform design reviews, technical assurance and engineering leadership responsibilities.
• Assume PM/DM duties to deliver projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and align with Global Integrated Delivery resources.
• Support construction phase activities and provide technical leadership.
• Drive business development and pursue opportunities with clients.
• Mentor local and global engineers and promote a strong safety culture.

Skills

Mechanical engineering leadership

Project leadership

Client engagement

Design management

Multidisciplinary coordination

Technical design review

Budgeting & risk management

Stakeholder communication

Commercial acumen

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're helping clients deliver some of the most complex and impactful infrastructure and building projects across New Zealand and the wider ANZ region. As our Buildings and Places business continues to grow, we're seeking an experienced Senior Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our team. This opportunity can be based in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or anywhere across New Zealand, offering flexibility while supporting major projects and strategic growth initiatives throughout the country.

This is a senior leadership opportunity suited to an experienced mechanical engineering professional who enjoys combining technical excellence with client engagement, project leadership, design management and business growth. You'll play a key role in leading the delivery of major projects, acting as a trusted advisor to clients, and supporting the continued growth of Jacobs' Mechanical Engineering capability across New Zealand.

Working closely with clients, project teams and Jacobs' Global Integrated Delivery (GID) network, you'll provide leadership across design, project delivery and construction phase activities while helping develop local and global engineering capability. This role will be instrumental in supporting a strong pipeline of opportunities, including major public infrastructure and buildings projects, while strengthening long‑term client relationships and helping secure future work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of mechanical engineering design and consultancy services across complex buildings and infrastructure projects throughout New Zealand
• Act as a senior client‑facing lead, building trusted relationships and providing strategic technical advice across all stages of the project lifecycle
• Undertake independent design, review and assurance activities to ensure high‑quality technical outcomes
• Perform Project Manager (PM) and Design Manager (DM) responsibilities, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to a high standard
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate delivery with local and Global Integrated Delivery (GID) resources
• Support construction phase activities, providing technical leadership and guidance throughout project implementation
• Provide local engineering leadership and statutory sign‑off support where required
• Drive business development and work‑winning activities, identifying opportunities and contributing to successful pursuits and proposals
• Collaborate closely with client account teams to strengthen relationships and identify emerging opportunities across key markets
• Represent Jacobs at client meetings, industry forums and technical events, enhancing Jacobs' reputation and market presence
• Support the technical development of engineers across local and global teams through mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing
• Promote a strong safety culture and contribute to a collaborative, high‑performing team environment

Here’s what you’ll need

• Degree qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• Significant experience delivering mechanical building services engineering solutions within a consulting environment
• Demonstrated capability leading the delivery of complex building and infrastructure projects from concept through to construction
• Proven experience in project management, design management and multidisciplinary project coordination
• Strong technical expertise across mechanical building services design and engineering consultancy
• Experience undertaking design reviews, technical assurance activities and engineering leadership responsibilities
• Strong understanding of commercial project drivers, including project planning, budgeting, risk management and client satisfaction
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic client relationships within both public and private sector environments
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence outcomes across technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong problem‑solving capability, commercial acumen and a proactive leadership mindset
• A passion for technical excellence, client service and developing high‑performing teams

This is an exciting opportunity to join Jacobs during a period of continued growth, helping deliver high‑profile projects across New Zealand while shaping the future of our Mechanical Engineering capability. You'll work alongside industry‑leading professionals, lead multidisciplinary teams and play a key role in developing both local and global delivery capability.

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must have current New Zealand working rights or be eligible to work in New Zealand.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs here.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of diverse perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Our meticulously curated employee benefits support ALL employees throughout every stage of life. From paid parental leave to a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access family forming Fertility & IVF treatment, adoption, and surrogacy assistance along with menopause and Low T treatment.

We are steadfast in our commitment to the wellbeing of you and your loved ones with a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources supporting you physically, emotionally and financially. This is demonstrated in our company being recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality along with our industry leading GOLD employer status by the Australian Workplace Equality Index.

Cultural Support

Māori and Pasifika peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Māori and Pasifika people are invited to nominate a Whanau, family or cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application. No matter what drives you, you'll discover a way to cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.