Why Dobbie
For more than 30 years, Dobbie has helped New Zealand’s process industries keep their plants safe, reliable and productive.
We are a specialist, multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy working across the dairy, meat, beverage, geothermal, forestry, energy and building materials manufacturing sectors.
Our engineers support clients throughout the full project lifecycle. From investigations and feasibility studies through front-end engineering, detailed design, construction monitoring and commissioning.
We are large enough to deliver complex, multi-disciplinary projects, but small enough that graduates are known, supported and given meaningful opportunities from the beginning.
Our values of Integrity, Curiosity, Respect, Legacy, Passion and Communication guide how we work with our clients and with each other.
The Opportunity
Join Dobbie as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer and begin your career working on real industrial engineering projects across New Zealand.
You will work alongside experienced engineers and designers, contributing to the design of industrial plant, mechanical equipment, piping systems and steel structures.
This is not a role where you will spend years completing repetitive graduate tasks. You will be exposed to diverse technical challenges, different industries and multiple stages of project delivery.
You will develop your ability to apply engineering fundamentals, standards and sound judgement to practical problems while building the technical, commercial and communication skills required to become a well-rounded professional engineer.
What You’ll Do
Engineering and Design
- Contribute to the design of industrial plant, piping systems and mechanical equipment.
- Design steel structures such as pipe bridges, pipe racks, access platforms, support frames and equipment structures.
- Prepare engineering calculations using first principles, recognised standards and engineering software.
- Assist with the preparation of drawings, specifications, reports and technical documentation.
- Develop practical solutions that consider safety, reliability, constructability, cost and ongoing plant operation.
Project Delivery
- Support projects from initial investigation and feasibility through detailed design, construction and commissioning.
- Assist with site inspections, measurements, construction monitoring and commissioning activities.
- Work with engineers, designers, project managers, clients, suppliers and contractors.
- Help ensure project deliverables meet agreed quality, programme and budget expectations.
- Clearly communicate assumptions, risks, calculations and design decisions.
Professional Development
- Learn directly from experienced mechanical, process and structural engineers.
- Develop capability across engineering design, project management and client engagement.
- Receive regular feedback, coaching and increasing responsibility as your experience grows.
- Build the technical evidence and professional competencies required to progress towards Chartered Professional Engineer status.
- Contribute to a collaborative team that values curiosity, practical thinking and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Bring
- You are completing, or have recently completed, a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
- A genuine interest in industrial, mechanical and plant engineering.
- Strong engineering fundamentals and an enthusiasm for solving practical problems.
- Good numerical, analytical and written communication skills.
- Care and attention when preparing calculations, drawings and technical information.
- Curiosity and a willingness to ask questions, investigate problems and learn from experienced people.
- The ability to organise your work and move between different projects and priorities.
- A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute wherever the team needs you.
- A commitment to health, safety and professional engineering practice.
- New Zealand work rights and a willingness to travel for project and site work.
Previous industrial experience is not essential. Relevant internships, vacation work, practical projects, trade experience or exposure to manufacturing environments would be advantageous.
What We Offer
- A competitive graduate salary.
- A matched 4% KiwiSaver contribution on top of salary.
- Health insurance.
- Fully funded professional membership fees.
- In-house training and access to formal professional development opportunities.
- Support and mentoring toward Chartered Professional Engineer status.
- Flexible working options as your role and experience develop.
- Payment for approved extended working hours.
- Healthy food options available in the office.
- Exposure to technically interesting projects across New Zealand’s major process industries.
- A supportive, good-humoured team that values excellence, balance and family.
- The opportunity to develop technical, project management, commercial and client-facing skills.
Work That Matters
The engineering decisions made by our team affect plant safety, productivity, energy efficiency and environmental performance.
As a Dobbie graduate, your contribution will extend beyond drawings and calculations. You will help our clients build and operate safer, more reliable and more sustainable industrial facilities.
Ready to begin your engineering career by working on projects that keep New Zealand industry running?
Please apply online with your CV and academic transcript, or contact Pip Callec on 021 449 024 for a confidential discussion.
Please note: You must hold the current right to work in New Zealand.
