Head of Engineering
CullBeck is commercialising green steel technology at Glenbrook, NZ. First engineering leadership hire. Heavy industry background essential.
Head of Engineering
CullBeck | Glenbrook, Auckland | Full Time | On-site
About CullBeck
CullBeck is a New Zealand process technology company commercialising a breakthrough hydrogen direct reduction process spun out of Victoria University of Wellington.Their reactor converts New Zealand ironsand into high-purity iron and critical mineral byproducts using 100% hydrogen.
They are building their demonstration plant at Glenbrook on the site of New Zealand Steel. The technology is proven, the funding is secured, and the team is small.
The opportunity
This is CullBeck's first engineering leadership hire. You will own the technical delivery of the demonstration plant, lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team, and sit at the intersection of engineering execution and company leadership.
You will work alongside a founding team with deep expertise in DRI, fluid bed systems, and steel operations. We're looking for the person who makes the engineering function run.
What the role involves
Applications are managed by Sprout People on behalf of CullBeck. For a confidential conversation contact Sam Piane at sam@sproutpeople.co
CullBeck | Glenbrook, Auckland | Full Time | On-site
About CullBeck
CullBeck is a New Zealand process technology company commercialising a breakthrough hydrogen direct reduction process spun out of Victoria University of Wellington.Their reactor converts New Zealand ironsand into high-purity iron and critical mineral byproducts using 100% hydrogen.
They are building their demonstration plant at Glenbrook on the site of New Zealand Steel. The technology is proven, the funding is secured, and the team is small.
The opportunity
This is CullBeck's first engineering leadership hire. You will own the technical delivery of the demonstration plant, lead a multi-disciplinary engineering team, and sit at the intersection of engineering execution and company leadership.
You will work alongside a founding team with deep expertise in DRI, fluid bed systems, and steel operations. We're looking for the person who makes the engineering function run.
What the role involves
- Leading a multi-disciplinary team across mechanical, process, piping, electrical, instrumentation, and structural engineering.
- Final sign-off authority on all engineering drawings, calculations, and specifications.
- Ensuring design deliverables meet relevant codes including ASME, API, ANSI, and ISO, and comply with local regulatory and safety frameworks.
- Coordinating technical stewardship activities including HAZOP, 3D model reviews, peer reviews, and management of change.
- Managing engineering workload, resource levelling, and work-hour forecasting.
- Working closely with the Project Manager on schedule, estimating, progress monitoring, and variations.
- Building the engineering systems and processes that will carry CullBeck from demonstration to commercial scale.
- 10 to 15 years or more of engineering experience, with at least 5 years leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- A background in heavy industry. Oil and gas, mining, steel, dairy, pulp and paper, naval engineering, or industrial construction. You know what it takes to deliver on an industrial site.
- Brownfield project experience. You have managed the interface challenges that come with building within or alongside an operating facility.
- Startup readiness. You are solutions-focused, schedule-conscious, and comfortable making decisions without perfect information.
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in an engineering discipline. Mechanical engineering preferred.
- Competitive base salary depending on experience.
- A genuine opportunity to shape the engineering function of a well-funded deep tech company at the start of something significant.
Applications are managed by Sprout People on behalf of CullBeck. For a confidential conversation contact Sam Piane at sam@sproutpeople.co