Transport Riggers Unit Leader

Babcock is looking for a Unit Leader to lead the Rigging & Transport team based in Devonport, Auckland.

About the role

Join Babcock NZ in a pivotal leadership role where you’ll take charge of rigging and transport operations supporting complex marine maintenance programmes. Based in Devonport, you’ll lead skilled trade teams, ensuring work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards while balancing time and budget expectations.

This is your opportunity to step into a hands-on leadership position where your expertise directly drives operational success. You’ll influence planning, execution, and continuous improvement across workshop and site activities, while developing your team’s capability and maintaining a strong safety culture. If you enjoy leading from the front, solving complex challenges, and making a real impact in a high-performing environment, this role offers both responsibility and progression.

Role Benefits

• $51.50 per hour (trade cert essential)


• 1.5x after 40hrs


• 2x after 43hrs


• Additional benefits

About you

You are an experienced trade professional with strong leadership capability and a passion for delivering safe, high-quality outcomes. You thrive in fast-paced, complex environments where planning, coordination, and decisive problem-solving are critical. You bring proven experience leading teams, managing competing priorities, and improving operational performance. With a practical mindset and strong communication skills, you build trust, develop others, and drive results while maintaining high safety and quality standards in every aspect of your work.

Key Required Skills

• Trade-based rigging and/or mechanical expertise


• Team leadership and supervision


• Planning and workload coordination


• Strong health and safety management


• Problem solving and decision making under pressure


• Stakeholder communication and relationship management


• Continuous improvement and process optimisation


• IT literacy (work orders, reporting, systems use)

Key Required Qualifications

• Level 4 Trade Certificate (Rigging, Cranes or relevant discipline)


• Full NZ Driver’s Licence (Class 1 minimum)


• Proven experience managing trade teams


• Extensive experience in engineering or maintenance environments (marine desirable)

Your future at Babcock – what we offer you 

• Our work life integration policy brings together leave entitlements which include annual leave, wellbeing leave, paid parental leave, defence reservist leave plus more;


• We will provide you with a supportive and engaging environment where you can grow your career, supported by our capability framework plus ongoing access to self-led learning modules through LinkedIn Learning and access to study leave;


• You’ll have access to beRewarded which will provide you with endless discounts across retail, health, entertainment, travel and much more, plus novated leasing options and corporate shares plan;


• Your wellbeing is supported through our online wellbeing program Munch, Mind, Move, Money, access to our employee assistance program plus you can access two days annually from your personal leave as wellbeing days;


• You’ll be able to participate in our weRecognise program which is an opportunity to recognise the outstanding work our people do each and every day in living our principles which are Be kind, Collaborate, Be Curious, Think Outcomes, Be Courageous and Own & Deliver

Who we are

Babcock Australasia combines the best talent and in-country expertise while leveraging the rich 130+ year global heritage of Babcock International Group, a FTSE 100 international defence company.

Our team of 1,800+ experienced staff ensure critical services and assets are readily available, affordable, and future proof. From maritime sustainment and secure communications, to lifesaving helicopter missions and managing critical fleets, we ensure our customers are equipped to fulfil their mission.        

Locally in New Zealand, we are actively growing our team to deliver some key projects for the defence and commercial sectors in Aotearoa.  Our team of over 120 trades people work on the Devonport Naval Base in partnership with our customer, the Royal New Zealand Navy.  As the Navy’s strategic maritime partner, we provide complete maintenance, repair and overhaul services to their entire Navy fleet.  We also undertake ship conversions, life extensions, retrofits and major repairs, in both the drydock and in the water, for our customers.   

So, if you would like to join us and help create a safe and secure world, together, please apply via the Apply Now’ button below.

To learn more about us visit www.babcock.com.au

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and experience however, the successful candidate must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand and capable of obtaining a New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Security Clearance.

Please note, should your application progress you may be required to complete pre-employment checks. These checks may include but not limited to, reference checks, MOJ, security check, qualifications and right to work.

Babcock Australasia is a Circle Back Initiative Employer - we commit to respond to every applicant.

Job Req #74260