The New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) Strategic Maritime Partner, Babcock has launched a drive to recruit 100 new engineers across the Australasian region.

Babcock provides asset management services, including engineering, project management, production, and operational support, to the entire Royal New Zealand Navy fleet, from the frigates through to small craft.

The recruitment campaign comes amid Babcock being awarded a further seven-and-a-half-year Maritime Fleet Sustainment Service contract - Hāpai Taua Manuao - by the NZDF in 2022 as well as two recent Australian defence contracts worth up to NZ$1.2billion.

Key roles on offer in New Zealand range from naval architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering to project and production engineering, to support Babcock’s contract with the NZDF.

Opportunities are also available to support Babcock’s Australian programmes, from New Zealand, including warship sustainment, submarine systems and high frequency communications defence capability.

Available roles range from systems and software engineering to mechanical and electrical engineering, naval architecture, Supportability (ILS) and more.

The company is recruiting people at graduate level, right through to experienced engineers.

Babcock Acting Executive Director, Engineering, Technology & Program Management, Glenn Logan said there was never a better time to be an engineer, and never a better time to work in defence.

“We are recruiting engineers to work on some of the most innovative and challenging projects that contribute to the safety and security of the nation. And Babcock’s agile working practices enable our staff to work from anywhere in the region,” Mr Logan said.

Head of Engineering Integrity, Alan Lyons, is based in Devonport and oversees the engineering integrity and product safety of all Babcock’s programs and activities across the Australasian region.

“In my six years with Babcock I have been involved in the rapid design development and implementation of removable polar life rafts, through to the support to the outfitting and introduction into service of two complex vessels for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

“Today we are more globally connected than ever before, and our insight, passion and energy is making a real difference on a global scale,” said Mr Lyons.

Natasha Dikstaal started with Babcock in 2019 as an intern before being accepted into Babcock’s graduate programme. She is now Senior Asset Engineer (Team Lead) working on maritime fleet sustainment for the Royal New Zealand Navy’s fleet.

She said a combination of exciting projects and workplace flexibility made Babcock a great place to work.

“The ability to work from home is a real bonus because I don’t work close to the office.

“I also love travel and knowing Babcock has operations across Australasia, and the globe including the UK and Canada, it presents so many opportunities.

“But it really is the people that you work with that become the best thing about working at Babcock,” she added.