Junior Electrical/Mechanical Technician

What does a typical day in your role look like?

It depends on the time of year. At the start of the year, I’m usually on-site at packhouses commissioning newly installed autonomous packing equipment. During the kiwifruit season, I return to those same sites to make sure everything is running smoothly and to fix any issues that come up. After the season ends, I’m mostly in the office programming new equipment that will be installed before the next season begins.

How did you get into this role?

A friend suggested I apply for the Automation Graduate role, so I did — and I got the job straight out of university.

Did you need to study for this role, if so, what did you study?

Yes, I studied a Bachelor of Engineering, specialising in Mechanical.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

I really enjoy problem-solving. Whether it’s figuring out the best way to lay out and program new equipment, fault-finding during commissioning, or fixing issues during production, there’s always something to work through and improve.

What’s something unique, surprising, or fun about your role or team?

Commissioning and starting up new equipment is a lot of fun — it’s exciting to see a program come to life. It’s also surprising how much control you have over the machinery. Just a few keystrokes on your laptop can start or stop entire systems.

What advice would you give someone interested in your role or career path?

Work hard during university to stand out and give yourself the best chance of landing an interview. But be prepared — most of the learning happens on the job, and you’ll be picking up new skills from scratch once you start.