Title Vessel Factory Engineer Trainee (2026)

Sealord Group Ltd; Nelson; On-site; NZD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured training and development

Career progression opportunities

Safety-focused culture

Meals provided at sea

Work with experienced engineers

Job summary

Sealord Group Ltd invites motivated individuals to join our Vessel Factory Engineer Trainee program aboard deep-sea vessels. You’ll receive hands-on training while contributing to routine maintenance, repairs and reliability of onboard machinery.

The role offers structured development, exposure to a busy marine environment, and a clear path to a professional engineering career through on-the-job learning, safety focus and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Hands-on engineering experience or machinery maintenance background.
• Trade qualifications such as Diesel Mechanic, Fitter and Turner, or Mechanical Engineering Trades.
• Ability to work in a challenging marine environment and follow procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair vessel machinery and systems.
• Work as part of a close-knit engineering team aboard ships.
• Receive hands-on training while developing technical skills in a real-world setting.

Skills

Hands-on

Team player

Safety-focused

Education

Trade qualifications (Diesel Mechanic)

Fitter and Turner

Mechanical Engineering Trades

Job description

Vessel Factory Engineer Trainee (2026)

14 Aug 2026

Location: NZ

Company: Sealord Group Ltd

Sealord is the largest seafood company in the Southern Hemisphere. And with more than 60 years of fishing experience, farming, processing, and marketing operations, our business consistently delivers quality seafood to our customers around the world.

Established in 1961, Nelson Sealord is half owned by the Māori people of New Zealand, through Moana New Zealand (Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd), and half owned by global seafood company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd (Nissui). Sealord is one of the largest quota holders in New Zealand with partners and subsidiaries around the world through Nissui’s global links. Sealord Group has fishing operations, which include all deep-water fishing activities as well as international and joint venture deep fishing activities, in New Zealand and Australia.

Launch Your Engineering Career at Sea with Sealord

Love machinery? Enjoy getting hands‑on with engines, equipment, and problem-solving? Looking for a career that's anything but ordinary?

At Sealord, we're offering an incredible opportunity to become a Trainee Factory Engineer aboard our deep‑sea fishing vessels. This is your chance to earn, learn, gain qualifications, and build a rewarding engineering career while experiencing a unique lifestyle at sea.

With over 1,200 employees, Sealord is proud to be an employer of choice, known for our strong safety culture, investment in our people, and commitment to developing talent from within.

Why Join Sealord?

• Structured training, coaching and career development
• Clear pathways for progression and promotion
• Reward and recognition for outstanding performance
• Work alongside experienced engineers and crew
• Experience a unique lifestyle and work environment
• Enjoy time off between voyages
• All meals provided while at sea

About The Opportunity

As a Trainee Factory Engineer, you'll work as part of a close‑knit engineering team, helping to maintain and repair the machinery and systems that keep our vessels operating efficiently.

You’ll receive hands‑on training while developing valuable technical skills in a real‑world environment. No two days are the same, and every voyage brings new challenges and learning opportunities.

Our vessels operate on a trip‑on, trip‑off rotation, with voyages typically ranging from 2 to 6 weeks. While at sea, you’ll generally work a 12‑hour on, 12‑hour off shift pattern, allowing plenty of time to rest and recharge.

What We’re Looking For

You May Already Have

• Previous engineering or mechanical experience
• A trade qualification such as:
• Diesel Mechanic
• Fitter and Turner
• Mechanical Engineering Trades
• Experience repairing, servicing, or maintaining machinery

Or Perhaps You’re Someone Who

• Loves working on cars, motorbikes, boats, engines, or machinery
• Enjoys troubleshooting and fixing problems
• Is practical, hands‑on, and mechanically minded
• Wants to build a long‑term engineering career

Most importantly, we're looking for people with the right attitude and willingness to learn.

You Will Thrive In This Role If You Are

• Safety focused
• Reliable and committed
• A strong team player
• Positive and resilient
• Respectful of others and the environment
• Able to follow procedures and instructions
• Comfortable working in a challenging and rewarding marine environment

Life at sea can be demanding, but it’s also exciting, fulfilling, and unlike any other career experience.

More Than Just a Job

Working at sea is a unique way of life. You’ll be part of a crew that depends on each other, develops lasting friendships, and works together to achieve success.

At Sealord, we're committed to helping our people reach their full potential through ongoing training, development, succession planning, and career advancement opportunities.

This is more than a job. It’s the start of an exciting career journey.

If you have the right to work in New Zealand and are ready to take the next step in your engineering career, we'd love to hear from you.

Your future career could be waiting just beyond the horizon.

A satisfactory pre‑employment drug test and a physical medical assessment will be required to be considered for this role. Applicants must have legal entitlement to live and work in New Zealand.