Compac Sorting, the Auckland hi-tech firm that designs, manufactures, and installs fresh fruit grading and weighing machines, plans to double in size within five years.
The company directly employs around 400 people and sends its machines around the world - 90 per cent of everything it makes is exported.
Its global reach give staff the opportunity to travel on sales, service and installation assignments to places such as North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Technology developed and used by the firm includes digital electronics, visual systems (to help grade produce), and complex packing units.
"It means we are after the smartest and brightest people," says Compac's HR manager Deana Barnard.
Part of the firm's recruitment process is to open its doors every summer to university students studying subjects such as mechanical/electrical/electronic engineering, mechatronics (highly sought after), software development, and computer science.
Typically around 250 students apply for a place, with work experience offered to around 20 to 30 people. Of those, one or two may be offered part time work while they complete their studies.
"Compac's internship is a huge investment for us," says Deana. "But it is an investment in our future.
"The aim is to give students valuable and worthwhile work experience between each November and February. Students are given a quality project to work on - it's not mundane work. Our goal is to identify which undergrads will become part of our future success."
There are opportunities for international travel, with the company sending staff all over the world.
"It is a requirement of some of the roles that people are okay to travel," says Deana. "Which is great for young people who want to see a bit of the world as a field service engineer for example - 80 per cent of their time is spent travelling.
"Our guys in R&D can spend up to half their time abroad, so they can understand what our clients do and develop ways we can help them."
Apart from New Zealand, the company has operational sites in Australia and North America, Italy, Spain, Uruguay, and South Korea.
The company is the 19th largest technology firm in the country according to the Tin 100 index, and has won numerous awards. Among them are the 2010 High-Tech exporter of the year and the 2012 High-Tec company of the year.
"In our industry there are probably only three firms in the world that work to the scale we do, so the opportunities for career development and advancement are here," says Deana.
"Because we operate in an industry that's always developing, people tend to stay with us - we have high staff retention. We take care of our staff and encourage personal and professional development, and provide rewarding careers."
Jono Jackson, 23, is one of the graduates taken on by the firm following a summer internship. He completed a four-year degree course in mechatronic engineering at the University of Auckland in 2012.
"It's a very fast moving company," says Jono. "So it is quite exciting to be a part of it all. There is a good culture here, it is positive and like going to work with your mates - we are one big family. We all work hard, but enjoy ourselves.
"The work is challenging, but the company helps you grow and take on extra responsibility."
Jono, who won the 2013 Round the Bays race, has already held a couple of roles within the firm. His first job as a field service engineer involved lots of travel - something he enjoyed, but which put a strain on his ambition to take part in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games as a middle to long-distance runner.
"The company was very understanding and offered me a job in the R&D department, which means I can plan my training with more certainty," he says.
Deana says that thanks to the firm's active social club, it's not all work at the firm.
"There are barbeques every month and social events during the year, and quarterly presentations where managers share information about the firm - so no one is kept in the dark," she says.
On the web: www.compacsort.com