Engineering Manager

|Industrial & Energy - Mechanical|New Zealand

Lead a high-performing engineering team, drive complex projects, and play a pivotal role in a business known for quality, delivery and long-term client partnerships.

TP Mechanical & Engineering is a well-established mechanical engineering and project delivery specialist with a reputation built on technical capability, commercial discipline, and doing things properly. With 40+ skilled staff, ISO 9001 accreditation, modern systems, and a loyal client base across infrastructure, processing mills, food processing, petrochemical, manufacturing, timber treatment, asphalt plants and general engineering, the business has continued to grow year-on-year – even when wider industry has been quiet.

We’re now looking for an experienced Engineering Manager to step into a senior leadership role, replacing a long-serving leader who is handing over a well-structured, well-functioning operation. This is not a step-up role – it requires someone who has already walked the path of engineering leadership, project delivery, and commercial management.
 
The Opportunity
As Engineering Manager, you will sit at the top of the operational delivery structure, reporting to the Managing Director and leading a multidisciplinary team including project managers, design engineers, workshop and site managers. You’ll oversee the full lifecycle of engineering work – from scope and concept, design, pricing and execution, to commissioning and handover.

You will inherit a strong set of systems including a modern ERP (Ostendo), robust project controls, excellent reporting visibility, and an ISO 9001 quality framework. The role blends leadership, technical oversight, commercial management, and client interface.

This is a hands-on leadership position where you will shape workloads, ensure quality, drive margins, and support a capable team known for versatility. You’ll also enjoy the trust and autonomy to run the operation: when the Managing Director is away, this role keeps the business moving.
 
What You’ll Be Doing
Leadership & Delivery

  • Lead and mentor engineers, project managers, workshop and site leaders
  • Plan workloads, resources, and project sequencing
  • Ensure safety, quality, and compliance across all operational activities
  • Foster a culture of accountability, communication, and documentation

Project & Technical Oversight

  • Support and review design concepts, drawings and specifications
  • Oversee manufacturing, fabrication and on-site delivery
  • Maintain standards within an ISO 9001 quality system
  • Ensure variations, scope changes and client instructions are managed correctly

Commercial & Financial Management

  • Engage in costing, pricing, margin control and budgeting
  • Use the ERP system to track job hours, spend, procurement and invoicing
  • Monitor performance daily and ensure projects are on target
  • Support business development by identifying opportunities and building client trust

Client Engagement

  • Lead technical discussions and manage expectations
  • Maintain strong relationships with long-standing major clients
  • Balance being approachable with knowing when to push back commercially

What We’re Looking For
Essential

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng Mech or equivalent)
  • Significant New Zealand experience in mechanical engineering & project delivery
  • Strong commercial acumen – margins, P&L thinking, job controls, variations
  • Proven leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams
  • Excellent communication skills and confidence with clients
  • Strong understanding of H&S and quality assurance within engineering operations
  • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-project environment

Nice to Have

  • SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD capability
  • Experience with ERP systems (any system; Ostendo training provided)
  • Exposure to multiple industries – infrastructure, petrochemical, manufacturing, timber treatment, asphalt plants etc.

Why Join TP Mechanical & Engineering?

  • Stable business with steady year-on-year growth
  • Strong internal systems and structure
  • Supportive leadership with realistic onboarding (3-6+ months bedding-in period)
  • Highly capable, versatile team already trained across variety of functions
  • Modern ERP giving real-time visibility over costs and performance
  • Long-standing customers who value the company’s professionalism and delivery
  • Competitive salary ($150k-$180k) + ute (with personal use)
  • Time-in-lieu system for salaried staff
  • Minimal travel – mainly day trips with rare overnights
  • Genuine opportunity to influence and drive the next phase of growth

How to Apply
If you would like to join this growing company, then please apply for the role. If you would like some more information, then please reach out to me: Bethany Craigen on 04 282 1563 or bethany@trs.co.nz

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