Structural Engineer

About the role

Nodey is building a first-principles structural design platform tailored to residential engineering in New Zealand and Australia. The software does not depend on NZS 3604 tables; instead, it performs full finite element analysis for each member, automatically calculates loads, runs ultimate and serviceability limit state checks against NZ and Australian standards, and produces calculation reports suitable for peer review. The objective is to reduce residential design time by about 90% while lifting engineering quality consistently.

The platform is still pre-launch, and the team is in the final validation phase. This position is intended for a structural engineer who can serve as the technical reference point for the product. You will run live residential projects through the system, work out the expected results manually, and identify any gaps between the software output and correct engineering so the issues can be resolved quickly.

This is a practical validation and QA-focused role for someone who cares deeply about numerical accuracy. You will not be producing consent drawings under deadline pressure. Instead, your output will be thorough test cases, well-documented defect reports, and confirmed expected results that can be used as the baseline for future regression testing.

Responsibilities

• Take residential projects through Nodey from start to finish across the full load path, from roof to floor, then through the vertical and foundation elements, and compare results with your own hand calculations or SpaceGass models.
• Create well-defined test cases for each element type, including inputs, expected ULS and SLS outcomes, and clear pass/fail rules, so they can be added to the permanent regression suite.
• Manually verify reactions, member forces, capacities, and deflections using NZS AS 1720.1, NZS 3404, the AS/NZS 1170 series, NZS 1170.5, and AS 2870, with NZS 3604 used only as a reference check.
• Prepare accurate bug reports that clearly set out the inputs, the expected result, the actual result, the relevant clause, and the severity, so engineering fixes can proceed without follow-up questions.
• Collaborate in rapid fix-and-check cycles with the QA lead and developer, then retest changes and confirm closure.
• Contribute to improving the validation process and the definition of done as the product approaches launch.

Requirements

• A degree in structural or civil engineering and 3 to 8 years of experience in residential structural design in New Zealand.
• Ability to independently calculate a complete residential load path, including both ULS and SLS checks for timber and steel, without depending on prescriptive tables.
• Strong working knowledge of NZS AS 1720.1:2022, NZS 3404, AS/NZS 1170.0/1/2, NZS 1170.5, AS 2870, and NZS 3604.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify inconsistencies quickly.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce structured, precise test cases and defect reports.

Nice to have

• Experience with Australian residential design.
• Exposure to software QA, test design, or light scripting such as Python or spreadsheet-based checks.
• Experience designing LVL, glulam, multi-ply members, or timber connections.
• Hands-on experience with FEA or commercial design tools that can be used as benchmarks.

Additional information

This is a fixed-term contract for 3 to 6 months through launch, with possible extension afterward. The work is based in Auckland and requires in-office attendance while working closely with the team during the sprint. The pay rate is NZD 45 to 70 per hour plus GST, depending on experience. The intended start is as soon as possible.

Eligibility

Applicants must already have the right to work in New Zealand.

Why this role

• You will get direct visibility into a first-principles engineering engine that most engineers only see the output of, and your judgement will shape the product itself.
• The team is small, decisions move quickly, and there is very little bureaucracy: if you find an issue, it is fixed and then verified.
• Your work will become the regression baseline for future releases, creating long-term impact rather than one-off QA output.

Application instructions

Applicants are asked to send a CV and a short note describing a residential project they have designed from first principles, along with how they would verify it, to the provided email address.