Prototyping Engineer (CAD)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Prototyping Engineer (CAD)

Company: Tomra

Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering

Date Posted: 2025-06-05

Experience Level: 2-5 years

Remote Status: On-site

🎨 Role Summary

• Responsible for the entire lifecycle of prototype machines, from rapid prototyping to validation.
• Works closely with development teams to create new sorting and inspection concepts or improve existing machines.
• Requires mechanical, electrical, and electronics aptitudes, with CAD modeling experience preferred.
• Provides technical guidance to other team members and supports the operations and service departments as needed.

🖼️ Primary Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and/or fabricate test equipment and data acquisition systems.
• Assemble prototypes, perform warehouse activities, and quote/order parts through the parts ordering process.
• Work closely with development teams to create new sorting and inspection concepts or improve existing machines.
• Install and test new sorting and inspection machines both in-house and at first lead customers.
• Perform optical alignment and calibration of sorter and inspection systems.
• Perform acceptance runs tests, analyze, interpret, and document test results.
• Create documentation to facilitate the transfer of production to the operations department.
• Design/develop acceptance test procedures of systems and subsystems.
• Provide feedback to the product development team regarding functionality, ease-of-use, and performance of software/hardware.
• Play an active role in the industrialization of new machines and provide support to service and operations departments as needed.
• Maintain a clean and tidy Development Centre work environment and maintain a well-organized stock of consumables and prototyping parts.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering

Experience: 1-5 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience, with industry exposure being an advantage

Required Skills:

• Primarily Mechanical experience and aptitude
• CAD modeling - Solidworks experience beneficial
• Effective troubleshooting skills
• Conscientious and cooperative team player attitude
• Ability to self-motivate
• Inquisitive nature, mindset to find out the reason behind problems

Preferred Skills:

• Electrical, electronics, and optical experience or aptitude
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for up to 70% of time
• Ability to work in food processing plants, farms, cold storage facilities, and outside in high/low temperatures
• Willingness and ability to work overtime, as requested
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., on a regular basis
• Ability to distinguish between the full range of colors in the color spectrum
• No major food allergies that would impede ability to work around or near food, nuts, fruits, and vegetables

🎨 Portfolio & Creative Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a strong mechanical engineering background with a focus on prototyping and testing.
• Showcase experience with CAD modeling, particularly with Solidworks.
• Highlight successful troubleshooting examples and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrical, electronics, and optical systems.

Process Documentation:

• Include research and discovery phases, ideation and iteration methods, and validation and testing approaches.
• Showcase the ability to create documentation to facilitate the transfer of production to the operations department.
• Demonstrate experience in designing/developing acceptance test procedures of systems and subsystems.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role in Auckland, New Zealand, is approximately NZD 75,000 - 95,000 per year, based on industry standards and experience level.

Benefits:

• Birthday leave - have a day off on us!
• Onsite car parking
• Collaborative environment where idea sharing and thinking outside the box is encouraged
• Global career opportunities with a strong record for promoting internally
• Professional training and development
• Kiwisaver employer contribution paid on top of base salary

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the ability to work overtime as requested.

🎯Team & Company Context

🏢 Company & Design Culture

Industry: Automation Machinery Manufacturing

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Founded: 1972

Team Structure:

• The Prototype Engineer will work closely with development teams to create new sorting and inspection concepts or improve existing machines.
• The role will also provide technical guidance to other team members and support the operations and service departments as needed.

Methodology:

• The role involves the entire lifecycle of prototype machines, from rapid prototyping to validation.
• It requires mechanical, electrical, and electronics aptitudes, with CAD modeling experience preferred.
• The role also involves troubleshooting, documentation, and acceptance test procedures.

Company Website: TOMRA Food

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Design Career Level: The role is suited for an experienced Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineer with 1-5 years of relevant experience. It offers opportunities for growth in design, project management, and leadership roles.

Reporting Structure: The Prototype Engineer will report directly to the Development Manager and work closely with development teams, operations, and service departments.

Design Impact: The role has a significant impact on the development and improvement of sorting and inspection machines, contributing to the company's mission to maximize food safety and minimize food loss.

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to Senior Prototype Engineer or Project Manager roles.
• Expansion into design, project management, or leadership positions within the company's global operations.
• Opportunities for international assignments and exposure to diverse markets and cultures.

🌐 Work Environment

Studio Type: The role is based in the company's Development Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, with the ability to work from home up to 3 days a week.

Office Location(s): 4 Henderson Place, Onehunga, Auckland 1061, New Zealand

Design Workspace Context:

• The Development Centre provides a collaborative workspace with access to state-of-the-art prototyping and testing equipment.
• The role requires the ability to work in food processing plants, farms, cold storage facilities, and outside in high/low temperatures.
• The Prototype Engineer will also maintain a clean and tidy work environment and maintain a well-organized stock of consumables and prototyping parts.

Work Schedule: The role requires the ability to work overtime, as requested, and travel domestically and internationally for up to 70% of time.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Design Interview Process:

• Technical assessment of CAD modeling skills and understanding of mechanical, electrical, and electronics systems.
• Behavioral assessment of troubleshooting skills, teamwork, and self-motivation.
• Case study presentation and discussion of a successful prototyping or troubleshooting project.
• On-site visit to the company's Development Centre to assess practical skills and cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight mechanical engineering background, CAD modeling experience, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Showcase understanding of electrical, electronics, and optical systems.
• Include documentation and acceptance test procedures examples.
• Tailor the portfolio to the specific requirements of the role and company.

Challenge Preparation:

• Prepare for technical assessments of CAD modeling skills and understanding of mechanical, electrical, and electronics systems.
• Practice troubleshooting scenarios and case study presentations.
• Research the company's products, industry, and design methodologies.

ATS Keywords: Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, CAD Modeling, Solidworks, Prototyping, Testing, Documentation, Troubleshooting, Teamwork, Self-Motivation, Electrical, Electronics, Optical, Design Thinking, Problem-Solving, Project Management, Leadership

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• CAD Modeling - Solidworks
• Electrical Design - Altium Designer
• Electronics Design - Eagle
• Optical Design - Zemax

Collaboration & Handoff:

• Project Management - JIRA
• Documentation - Confluence
• Communication - Slack

Research & Testing:

• Data Analysis - Microsoft Excel
• Statistical Analysis - R
• Machine Learning - Python

👥 Team Culture & Values

Design Values:

• Innovation - Encouraging idea sharing and thinking outside the box
• Collaboration - Working together to create new sorting and inspection concepts or improve existing machines
• Responsibility - Ensuring the safety and quality of the company's products and services
• Sustainability - Committed to minimizing food loss and maximizing food safety

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional team integration with development, operations, and service departments
• Design critique culture with feedback exchange methods
• Knowledge sharing and continuous learning opportunities

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Design Challenges:

• Keeping up with the latest mechanical, electrical, and electronics technologies
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Adapting to changes in customer requirements and market demands
• Continuously improving prototyping and testing processes

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Attending industry conferences and workshops
• Participating in design mentorship and leadership development programs
• Pursuing relevant certifications and advanced degrees

💡 Interview Preparation

Design Process Questions:

• Describe your experience with CAD modeling and mechanical, electrical, and electronics systems.
• How have you approached troubleshooting in previous roles, and what was the outcome?
• Can you walk us through a case study of a successful prototyping or troubleshooting project?

Company Culture Questions:

• How do you approach collaboration and working with cross-functional teams?
• What is your understanding of the company's design values and how have you demonstrated them in previous roles?
• How do you ensure the safety and quality of the products and services you work on?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight mechanical engineering background, CAD modeling experience, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Showcase understanding of electrical, electronics, and optical systems.
• Include documentation and acceptance test procedures examples.
• Tailor the portfolio to the specific requirements of the role and company.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this design position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Customize your resume and portfolio to highlight mechanical engineering background, CAD modeling experience, and troubleshooting abilities.
• Prepare for technical assessments of CAD modeling skills and understanding of mechanical, electrical, and electronics systems.
• Research the company's products, industry, and design methodologies.
• Practice troubleshooting scenarios and case study presentations.