Mechanical Engineering Manager - Production
Halter · Auckland, New Zealand · 2mo ago
About Halter
At Halter, we’re on a mission to enable farmers and graziers to run the most productive and sustainable operations. Our customers are using Halter to break free from the time-intensive constraints of conventional practices. Imagine watching 500 cattle stand up and walk calmly towards their next break? No quad bikes, no dogs, no fences. Just a group of cattle walking at their own pace. People say it looks like magic. Our customers are revolutionizing grazing with Halter. It's changing lives and transforming an industry. People join Halter to do meaningful work. By joining us you’ll be solving challenging problems within a talented team and a culture built for high performance. Our team out-think, out-work and out-care. We’re committed to delivering real change in the world - this isn’t easy, and in truth, we love that it’s hard.
We’re backed to deliver on a mission that matters by Tier 1 investors including Founders Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, BOND, DCVC, Blackbird, Promus Ventures, Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Icehouse ventures.
To find out more, visit our LinkedIn & Instagram.
The Role
Own Machine Design as a function, with scope to manage Production Tooling where business needs require a combined mechanical/tooling leadership seat. Build the team, standards, supplier model, and operating cadence required to deliver reliable production equipment, fixtures, automation, and upstream tooling outcomes at scale.
What you'll do
Lead and develop the Machine Design team, and manage Production Tooling engineers when the team structure requires it.
Own delivery outcomes across machine design and tooling programs: schedule, risk, production impact, validation quality, supplier performance, and sustained line capability.
Translate Production Engineering priorities into a clear portfolio roadmap across fixtures, automation, production-enabling equipment, tooling programs, and supplier qualification work.
Set and uphold standards for design reviews, commissioning, validation evidence, documentation, release readiness, sustaining ownership, and change control.
Build a coherent make-vs-buy and supplier strategy for machine builds, fabrication, tooling, spares, maintenance, and long-term support.
What we're looking for
Experience leading mechanical, mechatronics, machine design, tooling, or manufacturing engineering teams.
Strong technical judgement across production equipment, fixtures, automation, suppliers, and tooling.
Able to balance hands-on technical depth with people leadership and cross-functional influence.
Models Halter’s leadership principles: high ownership, demanding and supportive leadership, strong dynamic range, and front-of-the-jersey decision making.
Join our team
Halter is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace — a place where we can each be ourselves and do the best work of our lives. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and under-represented groups of candidates tend to only apply when they meet every requirement. If you think you have what it takes but don’t necessarily tick every requirement on this job description, please still get in touch and apply to Halter. We’d love to chat to see if you’ll be an epic fit!
If this opportunity sounds like you, please apply below by sending through your cover letter explaining why you’re excited about this role and working at Halter, along with your CV, and we’ll be in touch!
Please also feel free to check out the careers page for more information on working at Halter and don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram.
Why our team loves working at Halter:
Work that genuinely matters. Every now and again a company comes along that transforms an entire industry and leaves the world in a better place. Our team gets to be part of something truly meaningful, helping farmers improve their livelihoods, spend more time with their families, and build more sustainable operations.
Spectacular people solving hard problems. Our culture is designed for talented people to do work that changes lives. The team is filled with diverse, kind, and driven people who push each other to do their best work. You'll be thrown into the deep end, tackling complex challenges and building something tangible that solves real problems.
You'll grow here. Autonomy, mastery, and learning define how we work. You'll have the freedom to work on interesting problems, master new skills, and continuously develop yourself, both through your role and our $1,000 personal growth fund.
This isn't easy, and we love that it's hard. Working at Halter will be the most rewarding and the most challenging work of your life. We move fast, take bold bets, and work hard to reshape an entire industry. As one team member put it: "Joining Halter is a bit like strapping yourself to a rocket ship, but it's an epic journey to be a part of!"