Engineering Product Manager

TL;DR

Engineering Product Manager (Switchback Ride): Provide technical authority and product ownership for a zipline-rollercoaster hybrid ride system transitioning to standalone product with an accent on systems engineering, multidisciplinary subsystems, and market deployment. Focus on defining product vision and roadmap, managing end-to-end development, leading engineering team, and interfacing with customers and regulators.

Location: Christchurch Office & Lab, Hybrid

Salary: NZD 180,000 - 200,000

Company

hirify.global works with international clients in adventure recreation, construction, and roadside hardware, covering ideation, R&D, testing, compliance, and accreditation.

What you will do

• Own product vision, roadmap, and customer proposition driven by market intelligence and business objectives.
• Act as Chief Engineer with final technical authority across structural, mechanical, electro-mechanical, powertrain, controls, and rider experience subsystems.
• Lead systems engineering discipline including requirements, interfaces, configuration, ECM, V&V, and technical risk management.
• Define and embed structured product development processes during transition from consultancy to standalone organization.
• Manage end-to-end product development including backlog, design reviews, acceptance testing, documentation, and budget.
• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team of 8-10, building systems engineering capability.
• Serve as primary technical interface to customers, operators, commercial functions, regulators, and senior leadership.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related discipline.
• Strong knowledge across structural, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of powertrain and drive systems including motors, controllers, gearboxes, battery systems, and BMS.
• Knowledge of product development lifecycles, roadmap development, and backlog management.
• Understanding of structured engineering processes like design reviews, DFMA, FMEA, FAT, and SAT.
• Demonstrated ability to act as technical authority on complex, multi-disciplinary products.
• Proven experience leading systems engineering, managing technical risk, end-to-end product development, establishing processes, engaging customers technically, and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of amusement ride design, ropeways, cable-driven systems, rail-guided vehicles, or similar.
• Familiarity with relevant standards for amusement rides and safety-related control systems.
• Knowledge of CAD-based layout planning and visualisation tools.
• Experience with battery certification, functional safety, or SIL/PL-rated systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive salary, KiwiSaver, profit share bonus, annual leave, paid sick leave.
• Medical insurance for family, life insurance, wellness allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, onsite gym with classes.
• Sociable culture with team lunches, events, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, snacks.
• Training support and access to tailored courses for career growth.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.