Mechanical Development Engineer jobs in Hamilton, Waikato

For Engineers Who Love Solving Real Problems

The most rewarding engineering isn't about creating the perfect design on the first attempt. It's about understanding how products perform in the real world, challenging assumptions, learning quickly and continually finding better solutions.

If you're the kind of engineer who likes getting close to the product, digging into why something works, or why it doesn't, and turning those insights into smarter, more reliable designs, you'll feel right at home at eShepherd.

We're developing virtual fencing technology that is changing how farmers manage livestock. As a Mechanical Engineer, you'll help design and evolve the physical hardware behind that technology, creating products that need to perform reliably in demanding agricultural environments.

And you'll be doing it with the best of both worlds.

eShepherd brings the pace, innovation and ownership of a growing AgTech business, backed by the capability, experience and global strength of Gallagher. It means you'll have the opportunity to work on emerging technology, see your ideas move from concept into the hands of customers, and collaborate with talented engineers across a broader global technology business.

You'll work across the full product lifecycle, from concept and development through to testing, production and field support, partnering closely with electronics, firmware, product and manufacturing teams.

Just as importantly, you'll stay connected to what happens after a product leaves the engineering team. You'll work with customer-facing teams to understand field performance, investigate challenges and turn real customer insight into the next generation of better solutions.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll contribute to the design, development and continuous improvement of the hardware that enables eShepherd technology to perform reliably in demanding farming environments.

You'll be:

• Designing robust, cost-effective mechanical solutions for new products and product enhancements.

• Taking engineering solutions from concept and prototyping through testing, production and field deployment.

• Participating in design reviews, DFM reviews and DFMEA activities.

• Identifying technical risks and issues early and driving practical, evidence-based solutions.

• Collaborating closely with electronics, firmware, manufacturing and product teams to solve multidisciplinary engineering challenges.

• Investigating field performance, reliability issues and warranty concerns to identify root causes and improve future designs.

• Working with customer-facing teams to understand how products perform in real farming environments.

• Translating customer and field insights into meaningful design improvements.

• Challenging existing approaches and contributing to continuous improvement across our products, engineering practices and technologies.

What You'll Bring

We're looking for a practical, curious engineer who enjoys understanding how things work, solving complex problems and seeing the impact of their decisions in a physical product.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• A Bachelor of Engineering degree or equivalent.

• At least 3 years' experience in product development, R&D or a similar engineering environment.

• Strong knowledge of injection-moulded plastics and material selection.

• Experience designing functional mechanisms and products for real-world use.

• Proficiency with CAD software, ideally PTC Creo.

• Experience with GD&T, design reviews, DFM and DFMEA.

• Strong root cause analysis and technical troubleshooting capability.

• The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly across engineering and non-engineering teams.

• A practical, hands-on approach and willingness to test, learn and iterate.

• A continuous improvement mindset, with the judgement to balance engineering excellence with pace and commercial realities.

Why Join eShepherd?

Great engineers want more than a list of tasks. They want complex problems to solve, talented people to solve them with and the opportunity to see their work make a difference.

That's what makes this opportunity different.

At eShepherd, you'll be working on technology with a very tangible purpose, helping create better outcomes for farmers, livestock and the environment. You'll see how your designs perform in the field and use those insights to influence what we build next.

You'll also be part of #TeamGallagher, giving you the opportunity to build your career within a global technology business while working in an innovative AgTech environment.

As part of Team Gallagher, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive salary and annual incentive opportunity.

• Life & Disability Insurance.

• Boost App membership and Gallagher staff discounts.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• Free onsite parking.

• Subsidised café and great local eateries nearby.

• Regular team lunches, social events and guest speakers.

• A supportive, family-friendly culture.

• Ongoing development and career growth opportunities.

• The opportunity to collaborate with talented engineers across a global technology business.

Most importantly, you'll be building technology that leaves the engineering bench and goes to work in the real world, improving outcomes for farmers, livestock and the environment across New Zealand and around the world.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the role may be filled before the closing date.