Senior Mechanical Engineer
About The Role:
As a Mechanical Engineer within the Magnetite Stream, you will play a key role in supporting SIMEC Mining’s expansion and long-term success. With a strong focus on improving safety, production and cost efficiency, this role contributes to extending the life of the plant by over 20 years.
You will be responsible for delivering mechanical asset management across site, driving improvements in equipment reliability, availability and overall plant performance. This includes developing and optimising maintenance strategies, supporting site teams to prevent and recover from breakdowns, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Working closely with operations, maintenance and project teams, you will provide technical support across day-to-day activities, shutdowns and major projects. You will also play a key role in asset lifecycle planning, reliability improvement and ensuring engineering standards, governance and safety requirements are met.
This is a hands-on, site-based role where you will contribute directly to improving plant performance, supporting major projects and ensuring sustainable, long-term operational outcomes.
Employee Benefits:
- Live, Work and Play in one location
- Onsite Parking at Whyalla facility, provided shared utility vehicle for travel to SMR mine site each day.
- State Government investment
- Career development opportunities
Domestic Relocation included for those residing outside of Whyalla, which includes:
- Uplift of goods and relocation allowance (for individuals and immediate family)
Travel and temporary accommodation (up to 4 weeks)
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide plant performance troubleshooting and engineering solutions.
- Investigate Specific Equipment failures and perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
- Manage the execution of allocated minor/ major repairs and special projects – safely, on time and within budget.
- Analyse plant delays, cost, SAP, and equipment condition data.
- Determine key improvements, root cause, and develop appropriate corrective actions.
- Within scope and ability, develop and execute project-based solutions.
- Represent plant for major plant upgrades - Assist capital projects team, assess supplied engineering solutions, business cases, design criteria, Complete MTEC deliverables and project acceptance.
- Assist in development of appropriate operational practices to allow maintenance and reliability targets to be met.
- Ensure appropriate spares inventory levels such that operational security risks are minimised and aligned to asset strategy.
- Reduce variance, improve analysis, and provide accurate and timely financial forecasts on a monthly basis for major repairs and projects.
About You:
- Tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
- 5+ years’ experience in mining, manufacturing or heavy industry
- Strong focus on safety with a proactive, safety-first mindset
- Experience developing and improving maintenance strategies and asset performance
- Exposure to reliability and analysis tools (RCA, FMECA, etc.)
- Experience using SAP or similar maintenance systems
- Strong problem-solving skills with a logical, analytical approach
- Ability to plan, prioritise and manage competing work effectively
- Confident communicator who works well across teams
- Driven, self-motivated and focused on continuous improvement
About Us:
SIMEC Iron Ore South Australian operations consists of two primary sites: Iron Baron and the Southern Middleback Ranges(SMR), located in proximity to the coastal township of Whyalla. We also have a portfolio of non-ferrous mining assets located in South Australia, including the Ardrossan Dolomite Mine – which supplies dolomite flux to the Whyalla Steelworks.
It is our ambition to cultivate an inclusive workplace that is as diverse as the communities we serve. We encourage candidates from all cultural backgrounds, genders, orientations, age groups, and abilities to apply. Your diversity is our strength in creating sustainable and innovative steel solutions for Australia's tomorrow.
We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.