Mechanical Design Engineer

Steelbro is a world leader in the design, production and support of Steelbro sidelifters. With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional products and service to our customers all over the world.

We design and manufacture our own crane sets, chassis structures, hydraulic systems, and control systems, allowing our engineering team to work across the entire product lifecycle — from concept development and engineering validation through to production and global deployment.

Our products operate in demanding environments worldwide and require highly refined engineering solutions that balance structural strength, reliability, and weight optimisation.

As Steelbro continues to expand internationally, our engineering team is growing to support new product development and manufacturing, and we are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer (Intermediate or Senior) to join our Christchurch team.

About the Role

This role focuses on the design and development of heavy mechanical equipment, including container handling cranes and transport chassis. 

This is a role for a true mechanical engineer, where design work is based on first principles engineering, not just CAD modelling. Engineers are expected to define load cases and suitable acceptance criteria, determine forces and reactions, and validate designs through both manual engineering calculations and FEA analysis. 

You will be involved in the full engineering process — from concept development and structural analysis through to validation, production release, and product support. 

Key Responsibilities

Will include 

• Design structural mechanical systems including cranes, chassis, and heavy fabricated assemblies

• Perform manual engineering calculations including load path, reaction, bending and shear stresses, and fatigue checks

• Conduct FEA to validate structural performance and fatigue life

• Create and maintain CAD models and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks and PDM

• Lead design projects from concept through to production release

• Prepare engineering reports and technical documentation

• Work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are practical and efficient to produce

• Support product improvements and engineering changes.
  

Skills & Experience

We are looking for an engineer with strong mechanical fundamentals and practical machine design experience.

You will ideally have:

• 3+ years experience in a mechanical machine design environment

• Experience designing heavy fabricated structures

• Strong manual engineering calculation skills

• Experience using SolidWorks and PDM professional (or similar CAD software)

• Experience with FEA analysis tools such as ANSYS and SolidWorks Simulation

• A structured and systematic engineering approach.

• Bachelor of Engineering or higher.

Experience with the following will be highly regarded:

• Crane or lifting equipment design

• Heavy transport or mobile machinery

• Structural fatigue design

• Engineering standards such as AS3990, AS1418.11, EN12999, EN13001, or BS7608

• Transport compliance knowledge (NZTA, EU directives).

Why Join Steelbro

• Work on highly engineered heavy machinery products

• Be involved in the entire product lifecycle, from concept to production

• Join a globally recognised export manufacturer

• Work on equipment used all across the world.

• Be part of a growing engineering team

• Contribute to the continued development of an industry-leading product platform.

Steelbro operates in the growing container handling industry, which plays a critical role in global logistics and continues to see strong long-term demand.

If you enjoy solving complex mechanical problems and designing robust, high-performance machinery, we would love to hear from you.