Few Electronics Engineering jobs?

[NewHope]

Hi,

I am new here and am seriously considering migrating to NZ. My wife is the main applicant as she has many more years experience as an IT system/business/consultant analyst.

I have a degree in Electrical Engineering from the United States emphasizing in electronics. (I think it is called ‘Electronic and Electrical Engineering there?).

I did a quick search at some online websites and it seems like most E&E jobs are for experienced high power Electrical Engineering and very little in Electronics Engineering. (At least little for new EE like me with 2 plus years experience.) Is that the norm in NZ where there are few jobs for Electronics Engineer?

We are looking at Wellington and Canterbury to live, are those right place to consider for IT and E. Engineering? Thanks.

[StevieD]

Drop Bob the Engineer a pm on here, he works in that field in Wellington. Sure he won't mind your questions.

Steve

[Bunstar]

Hello!
My OH is an electronics controls engineer and I've just mentioned your post to him and he said "I know what he means"
I think if you look broader than your job title you should be ok. My OH was offered a Consultancy job in Wellington, a Commissioning job in New Plymouth and is currently working as a technical sales rep for an industrial controls distributor in the Bay of Plenty.
He's cooking my tea at the moment so I'm not letting him out of the kitchen but I'm sure he'll add his comments later.

[andrewp]

I'll be following this thread closely. I'm also an Electronic Engineer and have spent many hours on Seek.co.nz. I'll probably branch in to project management or IT as I also haven't seen many "Electronics" jobs. Or, judging from the many posts on here about speaker wiring and DVD set-up, maybe I'll start a consultancy helping new immigrants to get their home theatre systems working

[NewHope]

StevieD,
Thanks for the input. Will contact Bob the Engineer as soon as I reach the 5 post requirement.

BunStar,
Electronics and Electrical Engineering crosses path all the time that I don't even know to categorize them. Your OH must have lots of experience. Did he get the offer before you guys left?


Take it easy.

[troutman]

Hi NewHope
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Try the following link to the Institute of Professional Engineers NZ,
there are a few vacancies in the electrical/electronic engineering section
of the job search.

Regards

Dave

www.ipenz.org.nz/ipenz/

[JandM]

Hello, and welcome.

[bumpffslam]

Consider applying to the power lines companies (not the electric retailers) or other large utitilies most of who who use SCADA telecontrol and telemetry systems to remotely manage plant. It's a specialist area often with few internal applicants and without a huge inward flow of applicants.

[MonkeyControl]

NewHope, it's BunStar's other half here, I've finished cooking, and we've finished eating. It was a Chicken Rogan Josh, seeing as you asked.

w.r.t. Consultancy role & Commissioning job. Interviews were arranged from the UK. 1st through old Uni friend (Thanks again Simon), 2nd online through NZ employment agency. Interviews in Auckland & Wellington for the first, New Plymouth for the second. Both declined due to the discovery of beautiful little Tauranga. Current role arranged through a local employment agency upon arrival.

I would say that if you go into this endeavour with an open mind, and a degree, (no pun intended), of flexibility, you will be snapped up in a flash. The job market here is understandably smaller due to the low population, but there is plenty of opportunity, and some areas of Engineering are very well represented. In the honourable pursuit of Science and Engineering there is a serious shortage of skills that is in my experience apparently due to a constant migration to Aus for a few extra Bucks (fools), and of course if there are three positions with only two suitable applicants you're probably going to get the job.

In a nutshell, Be open minded, remember that your skills are transferable and can be developed if you have a good basic philosophy to your work. The only place where your current skills are ideal is your current position, you will have to learn new names, faces, procedures, tricks, etc, wherever you go.

I don't want this to turn into an essay, but will gladly answer any questions on this thread or via private messaging if I can.

Come to NZ by all means but please lets keep it amongst ourselves, it's a lovely place, but if it gets out, everyone will come here.

[Farfields]

Have you have missed Tait Electronics in Christchurch, one of the biggest NZ electronic companies.
http://www.taitworld.com/main/index....hristchurch-NZ

Drop me a line if you are interested and need specific advice.