Technical Solutions Engineer

MHM Automation is seeking a Technical Solutions Engineer to join our Hastings-based Materials Handling team.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in designing innovative automation and materials handling solutions for some of the world's leading food processing businesses. You'll work on diverse, technically challenging projects with global reach, collaborating with experienced engineers and cross-functional teams to develop practical solutions that deliver real value for customers.

If you enjoy solving complex engineering challenges, working closely with customers and stakeholders, and seeing your ideas transformed into real-world automation systems, we'd love to hear from you.

The Organisation

MHM Automation is a New Zealand-based company that designs and supplies innovative automated systems and equipment for the global food processing, timber/sawmilling, and logistics sectors. We are an international business with installations across Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

MHM is part of the Fortifi Food Processing Solutions group, alongside our sister companies Bettcher and Frontmatec. Together, we provide market-leading solutions across automation, robotics, materials handling, chilling, freezing, and packaging technologies that support customers worldwide.

The Role

Reporting to the Manager - Global Sales Support, you will be responsible for developing innovative automation and materials handling solutions that meet customer requirements and business objectives.

Working closely with Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Product Development, and Business Development teams, you will translate customer needs into practical, technically robust solutions that deliver operational, safety, reliability, and performance outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Analysing customer requirements and operational challenges
• Developing technical concepts and engineered solutions
• Performing system analysis, equipment selection, and performance validation
• Preparing technical proposals and solution presentations
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop fit-for-purpose solutions
• Supporting customers and internal stakeholders throughout the solution development process
• Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, food safety, product quality, labour utilisation, and operational performance

About You

You will be a commercially minded engineer who enjoys solving problems, working collaboratively, and developing innovative solutions for complex industrial environments.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent tertiary qualification
• Experience within industrial automation, robotics, materials handling, manufacturing, process engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing engineered solutions, system concepts, or technical specifications
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• An understanding of industrial production processes and operational requirements
• The ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Experience using 3D CAD software and Microsoft Office applications
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering practical engineering outcomes

Experience within food processing environments would be highly regarded, particularly in dairy, cheese, meat processing, or related industries. Exposure to automated conveying, packaging, palletising, robotic handling, chilling, freezing, or cold-chain processing systems would also be advantageous.

Desirable Experience

• System analysis, throughput calculations, equipment sizing, and production modelling
• Development of concept layouts, technical proposals, and customer presentations
• Customer-facing engineering and solution development experience
• Exposure to international projects and global customers
• Understanding of ROI, business case development, and capital equipment justification
• Experience with robotics, vision systems, controls integration, or advanced automation technologies
• Experience working across sales, engineering, manufacturing, project delivery, and commissioning functions

Why Join MHM?

At MHM Automation, you'll work alongside talented and experienced engineers developing innovative automation solutions that support some of the world's leading food processing businesses.

You'll have the opportunity to solve complex technical challenges, contribute to projects with global reach, and see your ideas translated into real-world systems operating across international markets.

As part of the global Fortifi Food Processing Solutions group, you'll join a business that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement while offering opportunities for professional growth and exposure to leading-edge technologies.

We Can Offer

• Competitive remuneration package

• Opportunities for ongoing technical and professional development

• Exposure to global automation projects and leading-edge technologies

• A collaborative, innovative, and supportive team culture

• Long service recognition, wellbeing allowance, EAP support, retail discounts with selected providers, and a WorkRide ride-to-work benefit scheme

• Participation in the Fortifi All Employee Ownership Plan, enabling eligible employees to share in the future success and growth of the business

Apply

If you're ready to contribute to innovative automation projects with global impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now via SEEK. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and screening may commence before the closing date of 28th October 2026.

Any questions, please contact [email protected]