SKOPE is a well-established, family-owned New Zealand company with a global reputation for designing and manufacturing premium commercial refrigeration solutions. Their heritage spans more than 50 years, growing from a small Christchurch factory with 25 staff to a thriving operation of over 300 staff occupying an entire city block.
SKOPE maintains strong partnerships with global refrigeration leaders who share their commitment to innovation and product quality, and is the Australasian distributor of premium Irinox Blast Chillers and ITV Ice Makers. While SKOPE operates on a global level, they remain deeply committed to supporting the local Canterbury community.
About the Opportunity
SKOPE is looking for an experienced Electrical Design Engineer to join their Christchurch Design team. This is a hands-on role, involved from early concept and prototype work through to testing, production release and technical support — working on real products with real manufacturing constraints, alongside people who care about getting things right.
You'll design and improve electrical systems across SKOPE's refrigeration product range: developing schematics and wiring diagrams, supporting prototype builds, testing components and products, helping solve technical issues, and ensuring designs are safe, compliant and practical to build. You'll work closely with SKOPE's design, production, service and offshore manufacturing teams, so clear communication and a practical mindset matter just as much as technical ability.
What You'll Be Doing
Design & Development
- Plan, conduct and document in-house testing and trialling of components and products to meet functional and standards requirements
- Design and develop electrical systems for new products and enhance existing refrigeration products, working closely with production teams for ease of manufacture
- Produce 3D CAD manufacturing drawings of electrical assemblies, wiring diagrams and electrical schematics
- Carry out electrical wiring and modification work to support prototype and test rig builds
- Manage assigned R&D projects to meet time, cost and result targets, coordinating with project team members to hit milestones
- Maintain accurate records of design processes, decisions and product tests in line with documented procedures
- Provide technical information and support to production, customer service and service technicians — including service bulletins, technical construction files and product specifications
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of relevant health, safety, electrical and product performance standards, ensuring products carry the required statutory approvals
You'll probably already have solid experience in electrical design, ideally in a manufacturing, product development or similar engineering environment. You'll be someone who:
- Enjoys practical engineering and problem solving
- Can move between design work, testing, documentation and hands-on prototype support
- Understands the importance of safety, compliance and good design control
- Produces clear electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and manufacturing information
- Is comfortable using CAD tools
- Works well with production and service teams, not just other engineers
- Can manage their own work and follow things through
- Communicates clearly and doesn't overcomplicate things
Why This Role?
This is a good fit for someone who wants more than narrow desk-based design work. You'll see your ideas move through build, test and production, with variety, ownership and the chance to contribute to products used every day in demanding commercial environments. You'll be joining a down-to-earth team that values sound thinking, practical solutions, good documentation and doing the job properly.
What's on Offer
- Work for a respected, family-owned New Zealand company with over 50 years of heritage
- Genuine ownership across the full product lifecycle — concept, prototype, test, production and support
- Exposure to new product development within a collaborative design, production and service environment
- Be part of a company that values community support and gives back to Christchurch
- Work with premium commercial refrigeration products recognised globally
If you're an electrical design engineer with manufacturing experience who is ready to make a practical, hands-on impact in a growing, globally-recognised New Zealand company, we'd love to hear from you.
Applications will be managed by TalentHive.
For more information, please contact Matt Love-Smith - engineer@talenthive.nz
