Dunedin Engineers & Consultants

Engineering Company in Dunedin

Founded in 1920, Beca Group is an engineering firm with twelve locations across New Zealand and another twelve around the world. Our Dunedin consultants work on making everyday better for our clients and community in this vibrant South Island city and throughout the picturesque Otago region.

As part of one of New Zealand’s larger engineering consultancies, our Dunedin team provides practical engineering solutions shaped by the city, its harbour setting and wider Otago. From here we support projects in transport, water and property across Dunedin and beyond, drawing on Beca’s experience delivering infrastructure and industrial projects NZ-wide.

We’re focused on building and maintaining infrastructure that communities rely on every day, alongside support for manufacturing and technology clients. Clients come to us for engineering design services, project managers and advisors who understand local conditions as well as the broader New Zealand regulatory and delivery environment.

We bring experience across a wide range of industries to every project, including transport and infrastructure, digital technology, water and stormwater, sustainable energy and building services to name a few examples. Get in touch to learn how we can realise your project's potential through innovative engineering design, focused project management, and our cultural commitment to excellence.

 

Services to Support Your Next Project

Our Dunedin office brings together people who plan, design and help deliver infrastructure and industrial projects of all sizes. That includes civil engineering for subdivisions and public works, support for industrial and manufacturing plants, and services for organisations with complex sites and assets across Otago. You can work with engineers, designers and project managers who look after everything from early feasibility and options through to detailed design and oversight of construction programmes.
 

Civil Engineering

Our civil engineers are often called on to meet demand from civil infrastructure projects and urban development across New Zealand. In Dunedin, we help plan and design three waters systems, subdivisions, drainage and road connections that respond to local topography, ground conditions and climate. This can span anything from new greenfield developments to upgrades of ageing assets. And we don't overlook small but critical items such as localised drainage fixes or access improvements.

For councils, utilities and developers, we provide civil engineering design services that consider how each piece of infrastructure will be built, maintained and operated over its life. Our role is to develop solutions that fit the site, align with standards and support reliable delivery, without losing sight of the practical realities on the ground.
 

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Across Otago’s manufacturing and industrial sectors, mechanical and electrical engineering support is in steady demand due to infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and the technology sector. Our teams work with operators on building services, production equipment, utilities and control systems that need to run safely and efficiently in demanding environments.

On the electrical side, that can mean designing or reviewing panels, switchboards and distribution systems for new or upgraded facilities. Mechanical work covers the layouts and detailing of plant, conveyor systems and services so factories, processing plants and other facilities keep running the way they should. In both cases, we focus on solutions that respect existing equipment, site constraints and the way your people need to use and maintain the assets day-to-day.
 

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Dunedin’s mix of specialised manufacturing, food and beverage and technology-related operations benefits from industrial engineering support that understands both process and plant. We work with clients on projects that range from targeted local upgrades to end-to-end industrial design and build solutions nationwide.

That might involve rationalising production lines, integrating new equipment into existing facilities or planning an expansion with tight shutdown windows. Our industrial engineering services are aimed at keeping your operation moving while changes are made, managing the detail of site installation, commissioning and handover so that delivery is predictable and safe.
 

Project Management and Advisory

Many of our clients look for help beyond pure technical design to full project management solutions. Our project managers and advisors support you in defining scope, setting up programmes, coordinating disciplines and tracking delivery so that engineering work translates into built outcomes.

We assist with planning approvals and procurement processes, coordinate design inputs across multiple parties and oversee key stages of construction to help keep projects on time and within budget. On everything from small civil jobs to multi-stage industrial upgrades, we make sure roles are clear, the sequence of work makes sense, and communication stays sharp.

Our Work in Dunedin

Dunedin International Airport Carpark Expansion

The Dunedin International Airport Carpark Expansion project required specialised mechanical design and engineering services to meet increasing passenger numbers. Beca's mechanical team applied a range of engineering principles and processes to develop high-quality, flexible solutions focused on safety, access and functionality.

We selected materials for durability and low maintenance, reducing long-term risks. Collaborative installation, fabrication and delivery processes with contractors ensured timely completion without disruption to ongoing airport operations.

The design emphasised future-proofing capabilities, providing options for further expansion to meet future requirements. Sustainable materials and energy-efficient applications were prioritised to support long-term health and safety objectives, including enhanced lighting, clear signage and pedestrian pathways to minimise safety risks.

New Dunedin Hospital

Building the New Dunedin Hospital is a significant healthcare project requiring advanced mechanical design and engineering services. Specialising in healthcare facility requirements, the mechanical engineering team focused on developing high-quality, sustainable systems, including HVAC, plumbing and electrical installations.

Beca applied engineering principles designed for optimal operational efficiency, easy maintenance and future scalability. Collaboration with stakeholders was essential throughout the project, ensuring all immediate and future operational requirements were met.

The construction phase involved carefully planned installation processes and rigorous safety standards to minimise risks and disruptions. Sustainable, energy-efficient materials and applications were central to the design, reducing the hospital's environmental impact while providing long-term health and operational benefits.


 

Engineering Careers in Dunedin

Engineering careers at Beca in Dunedin span hands-on design, delivery and advisory work. We service clients New Zealand wide and bring unmatched experience across diverse industries. You might start in a technical role and over time move into project management, client-facing or specialist systems positions as your experience grows.

Dunedin is famously home to two of New Zealand's most well-regarded engineering schools. The University of Otago offers robust core engineering programs, while Otago Polytechnic provides practical, hands-on engineering programs linked to local industry needs.

It's common for students of these institutions to arrive for study with the intention of leaving after graduation. But some who come to Dunedin find that they want to stay, and we welcome these graduates at Beca. Join our team and you'll get the scope to take on real responsibility early while staying based in Dunedin, even as you contribute to projects in other parts of the country.

Visit our Careers page to find out more.
 

Awards

2021 Property Council New Zealand Awards

Best in Category for Education - celebrating Beca’s fire engineering, geotechnical, civil and structural design work on the University of Otago’s innovative Faculty of Dentistry facility.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of projects does your Dunedin office typically work on?

Our Dunedin team supports a mix of civil infrastructure, industrial and property projects across the city and wider region. That includes three waters and drainage schemes, subdivisions and local road upgrades, as well as engineering input for manufacturing plants and facilities that combine physical assets with IT/OT systems. Some projects are small, focused items that need quick attention; others are multi-year programmes where we stay involved from early feasibility through design and delivery.
 

How does your Dunedin team connect with Beca’s wider New Zealand resources?

While our team is based in Dunedin and focused on Otago’s needs, we’re part of a larger New Zealand consultancy that delivers projects in transport, water, property and industrial sectors nationwide. That means we can bring in specialist skills or extra capacity from other offices when a project calls for it, without losing the local context. For clients, this provides the reassurance that your project is backed by broader experience and resources if your requirements grow or change.
 

What engineering roles are in demand in Dunedin?

Dunedin’s engineering career prospects currently centre on civil infrastructure, manufacturing and technology or software development, with strong demand for mechanical engineers in manufacturing, building and construction, and the agricultural sector. Engineering graduates and experienced professionals are needed in roles such as project managers, design consultants, systems analysts, quality assurance engineers and technical sales or support positions. As infrastructure and industry continue to evolve, there is room for people who are comfortable working across disciplines and helping clients connect engineering solutions with business outcomes.
 

How does Beca support engineers who want to build long-term careers in Dunedin?

For many people, Dunedin is a place where they want to put down roots while still working on interesting projects. At Beca you can build a career in the city while taking on work that spans local infrastructure, industrial upgrades and, at times, projects in other parts of New Zealand. We provide opportunities to move between project types and roles over time – from technical engineering design services into project management or advisory positions – so your job can grow with your experience rather than forcing you to move away to progress.
 

What should I think about when choosing an engineering company for a Dunedin project?

It can help to look at how well a firm understands Dunedin’s infrastructure, industries and regulatory environment, as well as its wider New Zealand experience. You may want to consider their track record with the kind of work you’re planning, and how they handle project management, delivery and communication. Talking through your requirements, programme and budget early on is a good way to see whether their approach and reputation align with what you need for your project.