Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

Mechanical Engineering Apprentice

Start your engineering career building world-leading machinery in West Auckland

Vector Contour designs and manufactures advanced automatic contour edgebanding machines for customers around the world.

Our Revolution Series machines and their supporting accessories are manufactured here in New Zealand. They combine precision mechanical engineering, CNC-manufactured components, pneumatics, automation, electronics and purpose-built control systems.

We are looking for a mechanically minded apprentice to join our small and highly capable workshop team and train towards a recognised qualification in mechanical engineering.

Initially, your role will focus mainly on manufacturing and assembling the accessories used with our machines. This will allow you to develop strong practical engineering skills and become familiar with our products and quality standards. You will also assist with machine assembly from the beginning, with your involvement increasing as your skills and experience develop.

This is not a production-line role. You will experience a variety of engineering and manufacturing processes while helping build high-quality equipment that is shipped to customers around the world.

The role

You’ll learn directly from experienced members of our team and contribute to real production work from day one, including:

• Building machine accessories. Manufacture, assemble, fit and test the supporting equipment and accessories supplied with our machines.
• Assisting with machine assembly. Work alongside experienced team members during the assembly of Vector Contour edgebanding machines.
• Learning traditional engineering skills. Use lathes, mills, drills and other workshop equipment to manufacture and modify components.
• Operating CNC equipment. Learn how CNC machinery is used to produce accurate, repeatable parts.
• Manufacturing 3D-printed components. Prepare, produce and finish parts using industrial 3D-printing equipment.
• Developing fitting skills. Measure, drill, tap, adjust and fit components while learning how the different parts of a machine work together.
• Checking and testing your work. Ensure completed accessories and components meet our quality standards before they leave the workshop.
• Supporting machine testing. Assist with machine testing, fault-finding and commissioning as your knowledge develops.
• Helping the wider team. Assist with stock management, workshop organisation and whatever else is required to keep production moving.

As your capability grows, you will take on more complex work and become increasingly involved in complete machine builds, testing and commissioning.

What we’re looking for

You don’t need previous trade experience, but you do need genuine mechanical interest, a positive attitude and a strong willingness to learn.

You might be someone who has always enjoyed working on cars, bikes, machinery or practical projects—or who naturally wants to understand how things work.

The right person will be:

• Mechanically minded. You enjoy building, fixing and understanding machinery.
• Keen to learn. You listen, ask questions and take advice from experienced people.
• Reliable. You arrive on time, maintain excellent attendance and can be counted on.
• Proud of your work. You care about accuracy, finish and producing something properly.
• Practical and safety-conscious. You are comfortable using tools and understand the importance of working safely.
• A team player. You’re willing to help wherever needed rather than focusing only on your own tasks.
• Able to solve problems. You can think logically and are willing to keep working at something until it is right.
• Comfortable with varied work. You are happy to take on both interesting technical work and the everyday jobs that are part of learning a trade.
• Able to work at a good pace. You understand that efficiency and quality are both important.

You must also have New Zealand residency or valid working rights and reliable transport to our West Auckland workshop. A full or restricted driver’s licence would be an advantage.

Experience with engineering, automotive work, fabrication, machining, electronics, CAD, CNC machinery or 3D printing would be useful, but it is not essential. Your attitude, aptitude and reliability are most important.

What we offer

• A structured and fully supported mechanical engineering apprenticeship
• Hands-on training and mentoring from an experienced team
• Experience across traditional machining and modern manufacturing technology
• Varied work involving mechanical assembly, CNC equipment and 3D printing
• The opportunity to progress from building accessories into complete machine assembly
• A small-team environment where your contribution makes a genuine difference
• The satisfaction of seeing equipment you helped build shipped to customers around the world
• Opportunities to take on more advanced work and responsibility as your skills develop

If you want to build a real engineering career, enjoy practical work and take pride in getting things right, we want to hear from you.

Apply through SEEK with your CV and a short cover letter telling us about your mechanical interests, practical projects or why you would like to begin a career in engineering.

Learn more about the machines you could help build at www.vectorcontour.com