JOIN OUR AUTOMATION & CONTROLS TEAM
Help build Caliber’s newest engineering discipline in Auckland.Caliber has spent more than a decade placing engineers inside client teams. It’s a model that works, and we’re now extending it into Automation & Controls.
This is a new service within an established engineering company. You’ll be joining a team of 80+ engineers with proven systems, strong culture, and real support structures behind you.
We’re building the Automation & Controls team deliberately, with a focus on finding the right people, supporting the right clients, and creating work that adds genuine value.
If you’re an experienced controls or electrical engineer who wants interesting work, good people around you, and the chance to help shape something from the ground up, this is worth a look.
NOT YOUR STANDARD AUTOMATION & CONTROLS ROLE
The secondment model gives you variety and challenge across industries, while Caliber gives you the stability, development, and community that independent contracting can’t.
Varied Projects
Our engineers work across a wide range of industries, from agritech and aerospace systems to food processing lines, green energy technology, automation, and major industrial upgrades.
Embedded in Real Client Teams
You’ll work inside client teams, using their systems, standards, and processes. The aim is not to take over. It is to add the right capability at the right point in the project.
Backed by Caliber
You’ll be client-facing, but not on your own. You’ll be supported by experienced leaders, connected to the wider Caliber engineering network, and part of a team that shares knowledge across disciplines.
Permanent Role, Real Variety
Our model gives you the flexibility and variety of moving between projects, with the security of permanent employment, a strong culture, and robust systems behind you.
A New Team to Help Shape
This is an opportunity to join early and help build the Automation & Controls discipline inside Caliber. You’ll bring your experience, help set the standard, and be part of shaping what comes next.
WORK ACROSS THE AUTOMATION & CONTROLS LIFECYCLE
Our Automation & Controls engineers support projects from early design through to commissioning, optimisation, and site support.
- Functional descriptions and control philosophies
- Electrical schematics, cable schedules, and protection selection
- Panel layouts, internal and external, with component placement
- I/O allocation and wiring diagrams
- Hardware specification: sensors, actuators, drives, motors, switchgear
- Compliant to AS/NZS and IEC standards
Program architecture is reviewed with client teams before core logic is developed. Pre-programming and simulation allows core PLC programs to develop in parallel with machine build, decreasing overall project length.
- PLC programming and commissioning
- Program flow chart development for client review
- Pre-programming and simulation in parallel with build
- HMI and SCADA development
- Variable speed drive and servo configuration
- FAT and SAT testing and documentation
A typical commissioning approach: develop the checklist, verify installation against design, complete I/O testing, set up drives and motion, run functional testing, optimise, and run full system tests at FAT and SAT to confirm throughput per specification.
- Commissioning checklists and installation verification
- I/O testing, loop checks, and calibration
- Drives and motion setup
- Functional testing and optimisation
- FAT and SAT to throughput specification
- Operator training, manuals, and as-built packs
We design and integrate control systems that achieve verified functional safety and comply with applicable electrical safety standards. Where structured risk assessment is performed by others, we can design a control system that meets the required Performance Level.
- Safety-related control architecture design
- Performance Level (PL) selection and validation
- E-stop circuits and safety relay integration
- Safety light curtains, scanners, and interlocked access
- Safety PLC systems
- Validation against assessments performed by others
EXPERIENCED ENGINEERS WHO LIKE VARIETY, RESPONSIBILITY & PRACTICAL PROJECT WORK
You are an experienced automation or electrical engineer who enjoys technical problem solving, working across diverse industries, and deploying specialist knowledge to get challenging projects over the line.
You will likely bring:
- A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Electronics
- Six or more years of industry experience in industrial automation or electrical design
- Strong PLC programming skills
- Experience with HMIs, servo systems, and control system integration
- Electrical design experience using EPLAN, or similar CAD tools
- Hands-on commissioning experience with automated machinery
- The ability to work collaboratively within client teams
- Clear communication skills, including with non-technical stakeholders
Also desirable:
- A registered electrician’s licence
- SCADA experience
- Functional safety training, such as TÜV, or similar
- Experience implementing machine safety systems
THE PEOPLE LEADING IT
You won’t be joining a team where nobody knows your discipline. Caliber’s Automation & Controls service is led by people who understand the work, the industry, and what it takes to build something worth joining.
Dan Marquart, Automation & Controls Lead
Dan leads the service day to day. He’s an NZ registered electrician with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and hands-on experience across industrial automation, PLC systems, electrical design, safety systems, commissioning, and site support. His project background spans food processing, airport and logistics conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval, AGVs, and robotics including pick-and-place and computer vision, delivered across New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Asia. Dan brings both implementation and design depth, and is building the kind of team he’d want to work in.
Wayne Le Sueur, Board Member
Wayne has been part of Caliber since the beginning, including nine years as CEO. He knows the business, the culture, and the clients better than anyone. Wayne is personally leading the introduction of Automation & Controls into Caliber’s wider offering, which tells you something about how seriously Caliber is backing this.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK AT CALIBER
Every Caliber engineer has a different secondment experience, but the themes are consistent: variety, support, development, trust, and connection. Hear from our engineers about what the model looks like in practice.
%
KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM IN THEIR ROLE
%
HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN & GROW AT WORK IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS
%
FEEL COMFORTABLE BEING THEMSELVES AT CALIBER
%
BELIEVE PEOPLE AT CALIBER COLLABORATE WELL ACROSS TEAMS & LOCATIONS
HOW THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS WORKS
Our recruitment process is short and streamlined, ensuring you are well informed throughout the process:
- Shortlisted applicants are contacted for a casual 30-minute chat over Teams.
- If your skills and experience tick the right boxes, you'll be emailed Caliber's technical assessment.
- If the result of the assessment is pleasing, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview with one of our Regional Managers.
- References are checked.
- Employment options (contract or employee) are discussed.
- Offer made.
- Prior to starting you will be asked to complete a bio about your work experience (for the website).
- We have a 30, 60, 90 Induction journey mapped out for you. Day 1 is always in the office, where you will receive your Caliber clothing, hardware, software, and all the information you need to equip you for your first project!
READY TO MAKE A MOVE?
Let’s talk. Whether you’re actively job hunting, moving to New Zealand, or just curious about what’s out there, we’re keen to hear from experienced Automation & Controls engineers.
We’re building this team around the right people and the right work. If you have the skills, mindset, and experience we’re looking for, we’d like to hear from you.
Contact Us
Auckland | +64 9 379 7357
Christchurch | +64 27 385 9091
Waikato | +64 7 949 8899
© Caliber Design Ltd
Subscribe to Celebrating Kiwi Innovation
Join our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter—a showcase of innovation and engineering in New Zealand.