Engineering Jobs
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About the Engineering Industry in New Zealand
Engineering has been and continues to be one of the strongest areas of employment growth in New Zealand. The demand for engineers has been estimated at 1200 per year.
This demand is in line with trends internationally where engineering skills are in short supply.
New Zealand’s strong economy since 2011 has led to significant levels of government investment in large scale projects. This has created a demand in the water, transport and civil fields of engineering.
The Christchurch rebuild following the devastating effects of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 has been substantial, requiring a huge international influx of engineering capability. There are still many projects underway and planned with these needing the skills of primarily structural and civil engineers.
The Oil and Gas sector in New Zealand has traditionally required the skills of chemical and electrical engineers. The industry is primarily based in the Taranaki, however recent Government legislation has halted new Oil and Gas exploration and therefore we wait to see the impact on the engineering roles that have been core to this sector.
For Visa Applicants: Roles on the Skills Shortages List
If you are offered a job which appears on the list below, and you have the qualifications and experience to match, getting a work visa will be easier. This is because the government has identified that employers need to recruit people from overseas to help meet demand for your skills.
New Zealand’s Immigration skills shortage lists still show demand for engineering skills across all core engineering disciplines. Roles on the lists are:
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Chemical Engineer
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Materials Engineer
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Civil Engineer
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Geotechnical Engineer
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Structural Engineer
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Electrical Engineer
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Electronics Engineer
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Industrial Engineer
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Mechanical Engineer
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Production or Plant Engineer
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Environmental Engineer
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Engineering Professionals
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Civil Engineering Technician
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Electrical Engineering Technician
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Electronic Engineering Technician
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Civil Engineering Draughtsperson
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Electrical Engineering Draughtsperson
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Mechanical Engineering Draughtsperson
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Mechanical Engineering Technician
Industry Snapshots
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1300 per year - Demand for engineers
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90% - Of engineers in New Zealand are male
Featured Jobs
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Irrigation Technician
City:
Otago / Southland
Job Type:
Temporary
Date:
27/01/2026
Irrigation Technician
We’re on the lookout for a skilled Irrigation Technician to join a future-focused rural contracting crew based just out of Kurow. This hands-on role involves installing and maintaining fixed grid irrigation systems and working on a wide range of water infrastructure and earthmoving projects across Otago and Canterbury. You’ll be operating modern Cat machinery and working independently on farms with a strong focus on quality and safety.
Location: Kurow and Dunedin
Start date: Immediate start available
Pay rate: $32–35 per hour (paid weekly)
Your day-to-day will includ…..