Prototyping Engineer

TOMRA Food is a multinational organization and a leading provider of sensor-based sorting, peeling and integrated post-harvest solution for the food industries. Transforming global food production to maximize food safety and minimize food loss by making sure Every Resource Counts™, has been our strength for over 50 years.

At TOMRA, we want people to innovate, show passion in their work and be responsible. We encourage the freedom to innovate and take risks that result in breakthroughs that challenge the status quo. We value passion that focuses and commits to meeting success. We believe in a responsible and safe mindset that takes care of our customers, products, and fellow employees.

Join the resource revolution !

The Prototype Engineer is responsible for the whole lifecycle of a prototype machine. You complement the design team with hands on experience in all cycles of the development process: rapid prototyping of concepts, building test stands, BOM creation, parts ordering, parts tracking, warehouse activities, assembling, testing, documenting and validating (in house and on site at the customer). This project-based work requires primarily mechanical, and also some electrical & electronics aptitudes.

Primary Job Functions

• Design, specify, and/or fabricate test equipment and data acquisition systems
• Assembling of prototypes, both of nearly finished machines as proof-of-concept set-ups · Perform warehouse activities related to prototype building
• Quoting and Ordering parts through Parts Ordering Process, and tracking those parts to meet project deadlines 
• Work closely together with the other development teams to create new sorting and inspection concepts or improvements on existing machines 
• Install and test new sorting and inspection machines both in-house as at first lead customers 
• Perform optical alignment and calibration of sorter and inspection systems 
• Preform setup and testing of all mechanical / electrical / pneumatic subsystems o Acceptance runs tests to ensure consistent and sufficient compliance testing and documentation 
• Perform quality assurance checks on all hardware prior to shipment 
• Analyze, interpret, and document test results
• Create documentation to make the transfer of production to the operations department possible 
• Design/develop acceptance test procedures of systems and subsystems based on direction from engineering teams and field feedback to ensure proper configuration/functionality of all production units 
• Provide feedback to the product development team regarding functionality, ease-of-use, and performance of software / hardware 
• Play an active role in the industrialization of new machines in close collaboration with the operation sites abroad, this includes travelling 
• Provide support to service and operations department as needed. This includes traveling 
• Provide technical guidance to other team members 
• Provide support to technology department as needed 
• Maintain a clean and tidy Development Centre work environment
• Maintain a well-organized stock of consumables and prototyping parts

Organization

• Complete administrative tasks in an accurate and timely manner
• Positively and actively support effective communication, encourage and provide constructive feedback. 
• Support the overall organizational vision, values and culture
• Any other reasonable duties as required

Safety, Quality and Compliance

• Promote a “Safety first” culture throughout the company, our customers, and our industry
• Ensure adherence to safety and quality across all facets of our operation and customer delivery
• Ensure the team works within agreed operating models, and ensure all decisions are made within agreed authority limits
• Ensure compliance with agreed processes / procedures, controls and address quality and assurance outcomes as required
• Identify, implement and embed any excellence initiatives to improve quality, performance and efficiency of the team to facilitate outstanding customer experience

​​​​​​About you:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering
• 1–5 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience, with industry exposure being an advantage
• Primarily Mechanical experience and aptitude
• CAD modeling – Solidworks experience beneficial
• Electrical, electronics and optical experience or aptitude beneficial
• Effective troubleshooting skills
• Conscientious and cooperative team player attitude
• Ability to self-motivate
• Inquisitive nature, Mindset to find out the reason behind problems

Travel:

• Ability to travel to customer or TOMRA sites domestically and/or internationally for up to 70% of time 
• Must be able to drive without restrictions and possess a valid Driver’s License
• Must be able to obtain a valid passport for travel

Work Environment:

• Ability to be in the office 4 days a week minimum
• Ability to work in Food processing plants, farms, cold storage facilities, and outside in high/low temperatures
• Willingness and ability to work overtime, as requested

Physical Requirements: 

• Able to perform frequent bending, kneeling, and standing, and work in confined spaces.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., on a regular basis.
• Ability to distinguish between the full range of colours in the colour spectrum.
• No major food allergies that would impede ability to work around or near food, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

Why work for us: 

• Birthday leave - have a day off on us!
• Onsite car parking
• We love innovation, so we offer a collaborative environment where idea sharing and thinking outside the box is encouraged
• You may also know us as the award-winning kiwi success story we strive for greatness and that is reflected from our history and into our future as TOMRA
• Global career opportunities with a strong record for promoting internally
• Professional training and development: We are passionate about people and seeing them succeed. 
• We care for the planet and want to make a difference for the future
• Kiwisaver employer contribution paid on top of base salary 

At TOMRA we proudly recognise cultural diversity, inclusiveness of thought and individuals to create a great working environment for our employees. So, even if you don’t think you tick all the boxes and the requirements, but you have what it takes, we would still like to hear from you.