Electrical Engineer, Auckland
1 2
Apply Save

Icehouse Ventures
Hiring for Vessev

Electric Propulsion Engineer

  • Posted 1mo ago
  • On Site
  • Full Time

Mount Wellington, Auckland

Job Description

Description


At Vessev, we’re defining a new category of marine transport: hydrofoiling electric vessels that are genuinely better for people and the planet. Our boats fly above the surface using advanced hydrofoils, control systems, and electric propulsion – designed and built here in Aotearoa.


With strong momentum, global growth, and major milestones ahead, we’re looking for a Propulsion Engineer to be part of the Hydrofoil Systems team.


This is a rare opportunity to help build the technical capabilities of a category-defining, Kiwi startup from the earliest stage. There’s so much scope to make this role your own, and we want you to create something you’re insanely proud of.


What you’ll be doing


The Hydrofoil Systems team plays a central role in enabling Vessev’s hydrofoiling capability. Their work is what allows the vessel to operate efficiently on foils, forming a critical part of the overall system that brings the boat together as a complete, high-performance product.


The systems that fall under the care of this team include, but are not limited to:


  • Hydro-surface design/optimisation
  • Mechanical systems that facilitate foil retraction and control surfaces
  • Electrical propulsion systems and its integration into the foil geometry, and
  • The integration of the foils into the vessel platform.


With everyone working out of the same facility, our boat production teams are tightly integrated with the design team. Rather than having the design and build team detached from each other, you can literally see your work materialise, day by day.


Owning mechanical design and analysis


You'll take ownership of the design, integration, and validation of Vessev's electric propulsion systems—from today's production motorpods through to the next generation of larger, more powerful propulsion units. You'll be comfortable working across electric motors, power electronics, high-voltage DC architecture, cooling systems, sensors, and electromechanical packaging, balancing efficiency, reliability, manufacturability, and performance.


Completing the loop


Electric propulsion is central to every aspect of vessel performance. Motor efficiency, cooling, sensing, control, and packaging all influence vessel efficiency, reliability, and the overall customer experience. You'll use theory, calculations, dynamometer testing, and on-water data to validate designs to continuously improve how we propel the boat over the water.


Building integrated propulsion systems


Our propulsion systems combine electric machines, inverters, sensors, cooling, software, and mechanical structures into a single highly integrated product. You'll work closely with controls, firmware, electrical, systems, and mechanical engineers to optimise the complete propulsion system, making informed trade-offs between electromagnetic performance, thermal management, packaging, manufacturability, cost, and reliability.


Showcase your ingenuity


We're not looking for someone who simply integrates existing components. We want an engineer who enjoys solving first-principles engineering problems—finding simpler, lighter, more efficient ways to package electric machines, cool power electronics, improve reliability, or extract more performance from the complete propulsion system. If you've ever looked at a design and thought, "there has to be a better way," you'll fit right in.


Manage designs through to production


Among their other roles, our engineers form the bridge between design and production, so you’re in constant contact with the manufacturing team (both in house and outsourced) to ensure every design is crafted with feasibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in mind.


About you


You may come from the EV, aerospace, robotics, marine, motorsport, or industrial automation industries, with experience designing electric machines, power electronics, or complex electromechanical systems. You don't need to be an expert in hydrofoiling vessels, but you should be curious, analytical, and excited by solving multidisciplinary engineering problems. You're equally comfortable reviewing electromagnetic simulations, discussing inverter architecture, creating production CAD, or standing beside a dynamometer or test vessel working through the next engineering challenge.


We’re looking for someone with


  • A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Experience designing and optimising high-performance electric motors, considering electromagnetic performance, thermal behaviour, efficiency, manufacturability, and reliability.
  • Hands-on experience planning and executing hardware commissioning, including dynamometer testing, hardware-in-the-loop development, and on-water testing.
  • An understanding of PMSM control algorithms and experience configuring motor drives.
  • The ability to collaborate with controls, firmware, electrical, and mechanical engineers to optimise complete propulsion systems, balancing electromagnetic, thermal, structural, hydrodynamic, and manufacturing requirements.
  • Experienced in conveying component and assembly designs in CAD, producing detailed manufacturing drawings, and supporting products through manufacture and assembly.


Bonus experience


  • Sensor integration, including torque, thrust, speed, position, temperature, pressure, or condition-monitoring systems.
  • PCB design and layout for power electronics or embedded systems.
  • General experience with electrical design including design of DC power grids
  • General experience within the marine industry


About us


We’re here to set a better world in motion – cleaner air, better commutes, and deeper connections with nature and each other. Our hydrofoiling electric vessels use up to 90% less energy than traditional boats, unlocking entirely new opportunities.


We’re backed by top-tier investors including Blackbird Ventures, and our team includes talent from the America’s Cup, SpaceX, Rocketlab, Halter, Apple, and leading climate startups. But titles don’t matter here – what matters is how we show up: with purpose, humility, and a restless optimism for what’s possible.


We’re office-first but not office-only. We believe in building together, in person, where the real magic happens. That said, we trust our team to do what’s right and we know life isn’t one-size-fits-all.


Why our people love Vessev


  • We’re building something different – from how we move on the water to the kind of team and workplace we’re creating
  • The chance to work on technology that can drive real, lasting impact in the world
  • A team of hugely talented and collaborative people
  • 20 weeks fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers, and 4 weeks for secondary (conditions apply)
  • Competitive salaries that reflect the value of the work
  • Being on the water is part of our job – from trips on our vessels to our offices that border the Tamaki River
  • And if the water’s where you want to be, you’ll be in good company. You’ll find no shortage of boaters, beach goers, sailors, foilers, surfers, and kiteboarders here.


Apply now


To apply, send us your CV and a short cover letter that gives us a sense of who you are and why this role feels like the right fit.


Research shows that women and other under-represented groups often only apply when they meet every requirement – even though they could be an excellent fit. If you see yourself doing great work here, but don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you.

Desired Hard Skills

  • CAD & Mechanical/Electromechanical Design
  • Electric Motor Design & Optimization
  • Electric Propulsion Systems
  • High-Voltage Electrical / Power Electronics
  • Testing, Commissioning & Validation

Desired Soft Skills

  • Analytical Problem Solving
  • Communication
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Hands-on Initiative & Ownership
  • Innovation / First-Principles Thinking

Are You an International Job Seeker?

Check if youʼre eligible to work in New Zealand before you apply - itʼs fast and free.

Get Your Free Visa Eligibility Check

Increase Your Hiring Chances

Let us create the perfect CV for this job!

Start Now
Report This Job

Advertisement

Electrical Engineer Jobs

Electrical engineer jobs are in steady demand, with opportunities across manufacturing, infrastructure, utilities, and automation. From dairy processing plants to transport networks, employers are hiring engineers who can design, maintain, and improve electrical systems that keep operations safe, efficient, and future-ready.

Day-to-day work

In these roles you'll carry out preventative and reactive maintenance on industrial electrical equipment, diagnose and repair faults to minimise downtime, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Many engineers also contribute to PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming, support capital projects from design through commissioning, and provide technical leadership across production lines and site services.

Career progression

Careers as an electrical engineer can move into specialist roles in automation, instrumentation, or power systems. Many engineers progress into senior engineer, project lead, or contract manager positions, while others step into leadership pathways overseeing teams, capital projects, or entire engineering functions within utilities and large manufacturers.

Skills employers look for

Employers value an Electrical Practising Licence and strong technical knowledge of PLC programming, SCADA/HMI systems, and industrial instrumentation. Hands-on experience with preventative maintenance, root cause analysis, and electrical fault-finding is also sought after. On the soft skills side, problem-solving, teamwork, and clear communication stand out as essential.

Find your next role

Browse the latest electrical engineer jobs on ZEIL to see where your skills can take you next.