Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

About Us

HamiltonJet is a highly regarded global leader in marine propulsion systems, serving customers around the world. Our products and services are trusted by boat builders, naval architects, commercial operators, defence organisations, and a diverse range of end users in more than 120 countries. Renowned for reliability and performance in demanding applications, HamiltonJet continues to set the standard for waterjet propulsion technology. To learn more about our company, products, and services, visit HamiltonJet.

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our New Jets Development team in Christchurch. This is an excellent opportunity to shape the next generation of waterjet products within a well-established precision engineering business, taking new designs from concept through to production.

The successful applicant will be employed on a full-time, permanent basis, reporting to the New Jets Development Team Leader.

The Opportunity

As Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will create new mechanical design solutions for waterjet development projects, with a sharp focus on manufacturability, in-service product life cycle and commercial requirements. You will make sure new designs meet technical, quality and reliability targets, and research new technologies, materials, design concepts and industrial components for future products.

Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Production and our global support teams, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing input into product requirements specifications and carrying out concept feasibility investigations.
• Leading the engineering design of mechanical elements of waterjets, principally using 3D CAD.
• Analysing and reviewing component and assembly designs to ensure fitness for purpose and that Design for Manufacture (DFM) targets are achieved.
• Planning and executing development programmes, including prototyping and testing to complete design verification and validation.
• Critically assessing cost and manufacturability throughout the design process, and maximising commonality of parts and assemblies across the product range.
• Maintaining a strong customer and applications focus, considering servicing, maintenance, reliability and ease of installation, and ensuring known field issues are designed out.
• Completing engineering calculations, risk assessments and technical reports, and contributing to safety assurance, DFMEA and design review activities.
• Producing fully detailed and accurate part and assembly drawings, specifications and documentation to Company standards.
• Supporting new product introduction (NPI) with Production Engineering and Supply Chain, including input into supplier selection.
• Mentoring junior engineers and helping to build HamiltonJet’s proprietary design knowledge.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering.
• At least five years of directly relevant experience in mechanical product design and development within a manufacturing organisation.
• Sound 3D CAD capability and a working knowledge of structural requirements.
• Proven experience in product design using Design for Manufacture (DFM) methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing and supply chain teams.
• A strong sense of accountability and ownership for outcomes, with the initiative to act proactively.
• A genuine commitment to delivering exceptional results for both internal and external customers.

Experience in managing development and test activities would be highly regarded.

Why Join HamiltonJet?

This is an opportunity to join a high-performing global organisation that values craftsmanship, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. You will work alongside skilled professionals who take pride in delivering world-class products to customers around the globe.

What We Offer

• Full-time, permanent employment.
• Competitive salary package, depending on skills and experience.
• The opportunity to work for a global industry leader.
• The chance to design products used in demanding marine applications in more than 120 countries.
• A supportive team environment with opportunities for ongoing training and career development.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced mechanical design engineer who is passionate about creating innovative, manufacturable products and looking for a long-term opportunity with a respected and growing company, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and cover letter via the Quick Apply link on SEEK. Applications close on Friday 23rd October 2026.