Engineering Graduate Jobs in New Zealand (221 open now!)

Engineers are professional problem solvers: their rigorous academic training prepares them to use take advantage of new technologies, methods, materials, and tools to help organizations move from the abstract (for example, a product idea or an architectural design) to the tangible (for example, a consumer good or a finished home). Almost every good or service we enjoy involves, directly or indirectly, the contributions of an engineer: they're responsible for the plastics and metals used in your electronic devices, the structural integrity of your local shopping mall, the functioning of your favourite websites, and more. 

However, while engineering expertise is indispensable to businesses of all descriptions, not every business can justify hiring an engineer full-time. Often, they may only require an engineer to help them overcome a discrete challenge, such as eliminating inefficiency in their manufacturing processes, minimizing the environmental impact of their construction activities, or deciding which product design to pursue. 

That's where engineering consultants come in. These consultants possess qualifications in various branches of engineering, including aeronautical, civil, electrical, environmental, mechanical, and structural engineering. While employed by a consultancy firm, they complete projects for other businesses, helping them accomplish specific goals. When they finish their work for one business, they move on to other projects, which may be in completely different industries.

In short, if you're a budding engineer who longs for a varied, intellectually challenging, and well-compensated career, you may be the right person for an engineering consulting career.

Job Market Outlook

Engineering consulting firms fall within the architectural, engineering, and technical services industry, which grew at a rate of 2.9% per year on average between 2018 and 2023, thanks in large part to increasing demand from public and private clients. Undoubtedly, this demand has been bolstered by large investments in public infrastructure, with New Zealand expected to invest $129 billion in infrastructure projects over the coming decade.

As such, job prospects are very good, with successful employment leading to stimulating work and generous remuneration. In its 2021 Remuneration Survey, Engineering New Zealand reported that the median base salary for new graduates was between $50,000 and $60,000, with this growing to almost $70,000 with three years of experience. The median base salary for all full-time engineers was $108,000. 

How to Get Hired in Engineering Jobs

Obviously, the most important thing you'll need for a career as an engineering consultant is an engineering degree. However, on top of that, engineering consultants face a specific set of professional challenges: they must be adept at creating new relationships, skilled at imparting technical ideas to colleagues with non-technical backgrounds, and possess unimpeachable professional integrity. Companies hiring graduates will, therefore, look for candidates who possess both strong academic credentials and a personable demeanor that's well-suited to establishing productive relationships in business environments. 

Generally, major engineering consultancy firms are aggressive recruiters of talented graduates, with a strong presence at university careers fairs and graduate-focused websites like Prosple NewZealand. Companies such as Northrop, Thiess, and Worley operate structured graduate development programmes that last for one to two years, with applications generally opening in February or March. 

Typically, the recruitment process includes an online application, a video interview (for shortlisted candidates), participation in activities at an assessment center, and a final face-to-face interview. Some companies have also begun using ‘gamified' psychometric tests that candidates can complete online. From start to finish, the recruitment process may take up to five months. 

Key Skills you Need for Engineering Jobs

Adaptability 

As an engineering consultant, you can expect to work inside various businesses, from large, multinational organizations to smaller, local businesses. The industries too may change: you could work for a telecommunications provider one week, and a construction company the week after. What does all this mean? To succeed, you must possess the adaptability required to take your skills and use them to confront a range of problems, while working with new teams in new environments. 

Communication skills 

It's important to remember that organizations hire engineering consultants to tackle the problems they've been unable to overcome independently. As such, they'll be relying not only on your technical knowledge but also on your ability to communicate the ‘hows' and ‘whys' of the solution you propose. Often, this will mean helping non-technical audiences understand your approach, so strong communication skills are a must. 

Perseverance 

Few companies can afford to hire consultants to solve easy problems. Instead, they bring in extra help when the challenge they face is particularly hard or complex. Accordingly, you must be prepared to deal with tricky tasks, many of which will require you to think creatively, experiment with different approaches, and exhibit a high degree of perseverance.

Engineering has sub-specialties in which a graduate may work or take extra courses in order to specialize:

• Civil
• Software
• Aerospace
• Petroleum
• Geotechnical
• Mechanical
• Electrical

If you can think of an industry, there is probably a job for an engineer!

Where to Find Engineering Graduate Jobs

Our best advice is to look for graduate employment with the main companies in your area of specialization. For example, an Electrical Engineer might try applying at Schneider Electric, while a Software Engineer might choose amongst the plethora of software companies that hire graduates like Microsoft or Datacom.

Top Five Industries Hiring Engineers

According to Engineering New Zealand, the top five industries hiring graduates are:

• Civil engineering, which includes transport, environmental, structural, and geotechnical engineering
• Computer systems and software engineering
• Chemical and process engineering
• Electrical and electronic engineering
• Mechanical engineering

However, There are Shortages of Some Types of Engineers:

• Major highway development projects require civil and transport engineers
• Upgrading the national grid will require more electrical engineers
• Digital (IT) companies need more software engineers
• Geotechnical and structural engineers are needed to assist in the rebuild of Christchurch, post-earthquake

Engineer Salary in New Zealand

The average salary for experienced engineers is around $129,786. For graduates, this varies between $50,000 for more entry-level roles and sometimes stretches up to $65,000. However, you're not just limited to an engineering job! Companies like Deloitte offer generous graduate salaries stretching up toward the $80,000 mark if you start as an Analyst.

Career Outlook

The need for Engineers has been increasing over the past few years. With the increased demand amongst engineering employers, plus consulting, banking, finance, and IT companies trying to attract the best engineering talent to join their graduate programme, there will be no shortage of roles anytime soon.

How to Get Hired as an Engineering Student:

• Secure an internship, and ensure you get the most out of the experience
• Engage with relevant student societies
• Attend career fairs and industry events
• Sign up for your free student membership through Engineers New Zealand

And keep a close eye on the Prosple New Zealand job board for new engineering jobs and internships.

Engineering Graduate Jobs Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What can I do with my degree apart from being an engineer?

If you've decided that you don't want to be an engineer, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of jobs in other fields that need your skills!

What kind of work can civil engineers do?

A civil engineer designs builds and maintains infrastructure projects, including roads, airports, tunnels, dams, and bridges. Check out jobs and internships hiring civil engineering students.

What does a project engineer do?

A project engineer is responsible for overseeing technical and engineering projects. They create project plans, manage budgets, handle logistics, perform quality control, and communicate with all stakeholders. Hear from real graduate project engineers:

• Nina Purves | Graduate Project Engineer at Johnstaff NZ
• Amr Mohssen | Graduate Project Engineer at Ixom

What does a site engineer do?

Being a site engineer involves overseeing construction activities, managing subcontractors, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and communicating with stakeholders. Site engineers also resolve any issues that arise on the construction site and provide technical support to the project team. Find out what it's like to work as a graduate site engineer:

• Matt Payne | Graduate Site Engineer at Fulton Hogan
• Akhil James | Site Engineer at Lendlease

What does a geotechnical engineer do?

A geotechnical engineer is a type of engineer who applies their knowledge of all things soil, rock, and geology-related to build the foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and roads. An experienced geotechnical engineer also analyzes geological and geotechnical conditions to assess the potential risks and impacts of natural hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and floods.

• Ada Ng | Graduate Geotechnical Engineer at Stantec
• James Robinson | Geotechnical Engineer at Tonkin + Taylor

Video: 2022 Māori & Pasifika Job & Internship Super Fair | Engineering & Construction Panel Session