Site Engineer

Scientific & Technical Recruitment; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Scientific & Technical Recruitment is seeking a Site Engineer for a specialised process facility in South Auckland. Take technical ownership of a complex plant, troubleshoot issues, optimise performance and drive improvements across mechanical systems, SCADA and controls.

You will lead shutdowns, maintenance and capital projects, support process safety and compliance, and contribute to a sustainability-focused operation that transforms waste materials into valuable products.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent required.
• Experience in a complex industrial/process plant environment.
• Exposure to SCADA, PLCs and control systems.
• Process safety, reliability or optimisation experience in high-hazard environments.
• Ownership mindset and strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across plant engineering, reliability and process optimisation.
• Develop knowledge of SCADA, PLC and control systems and support ongoing improvements.
• Troubleshoot plant issues and identify opportunities to improve stability, uptime and performance.
• Plan and manage shutdown activities, preventative maintenance and minor capital projects.
• Support process safety, HAZOPs, inspections and engineering standards.

Skills

Ownership mindset

Problem solving

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

SCADA/PLC systems

Control systems

Job description

Take technical ownership of a complex process plant, driving reliability, safety and improvement

17th September, 2026

We are working with an innovative New Zealand business operating a specialised process facility in South Auckland. With a strong focus on sustainability, the operation transforms waste materials into valuable products through a technically complex refining process. We are looking for a Site Engineer who enjoys understanding how a plant really works, someone who can troubleshoot technical issues, optimise performance and take ownership of engineering improvements across the facility. This isn't a "set and forget" plant. You'll work across mechanical systems, SCADA and controls, process safety, reliability and capital improvements, making it an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving problems and seeing the direct impact of their work.

What you will do

• Provide technical leadership across plant engineering, reliability and process optimisation
• Develop your knowledge of SCADA, PLC and control systems and support ongoing improvements
• Troubleshoot plant issues and identify opportunities to improve stability, uptime and performance
• Plan and manage shutdown activities, preventative maintenance and minor capital projects
• Support process safety, HAZOPs, pressure equipment compliance, inspections and engineering standards

What we are looking for

• A strong engineering background gained through a relevant degree or high-level trade pathway
• Hands‑on experience within a complex industrial, manufacturing or process plant environment
• Exposure to SCADA, PLCs and control systems, with the ability to understand plant control logic
• Process safety, reliability or optimisation experience within a high-hazard environment
• An ownership mindset, strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to build capability within a team

Experience from industries such as oil & gas, petroleum, dairy, heavy manufacturing, steel, chemicals or other high-hazard process environments could translate particularly well.

• A Senior level salary for this senior role, plus bonus
• Take genuine technical ownership of a small, complex and interesting process facility
• Work across controls, mechanical systems, projects, process safety and plant optimisation
• Join a growing New Zealand business with a strong sustainability and circular economy focus
• Opportunity to influence future plant improvements and potentially contribute at leadership level

To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, or resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.