Digital Printing Development Specialist

BlueScope Steel; Port Kembla; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BlueScope is seeking a Digital Printing Development Specialist to advance digital printing for our painted products. You will combine coating knowledge with lab experimentation, evaluating inks, basecoats and clearcoats to create complete painted product systems and drive opportunities from concept to trials.

You will design experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with product specialists across engineering, materials science and manufacturing to translate findings into practical

Qualifications

• Teritary qualification in engineering, chemistry, materials science or related field.
• Experience in painted or coated product development.
• Knowledge of substrate interactions in coatings.
• Experience in technical product, process or materials development.
• Demonstrated capability in experimental design and lab work.
• Strong collaboration across technical and operational teams.
• Curiosity to build expertise in Digital Printing and inks.

Responsibilities

• Investigate future Digital Printing opportunities across finishes, effects, surface textures and longer-term solid-colour printing.
• Apply painted product knowledge to understand substrate interactions in Digital Printing systems.
• Monitor emerging digital printing equipment and assess compatibility with painted product systems.
• Design and undertake laboratory experiments with hypotheses, plans and test methods.
• Analyze technical results and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Take lab concepts through to manufacturing line trials and provide input when results differ from expectations.
• Collaborate with painted product specialists to evaluate Digital Printing concepts as complete systems.

Skills

Engineering background

Coating systems

Lab experiments

Experimental design

Cross-functional collaboration

Digital Printing

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Lab equipment

Job description

BlueScope is an Australian-born global success story spanning 15 countries. Our team of over 16,500 people is our strength and we want our people to be safe, successful and well.We’re leaders and innovators in transforming steel into smart products and solutions that support society, today and in the future. We’re proud of brands, like COLORBOND ® steel that inspire and protect everything from hospitals to bridges andstadiums.

The Opportunity

BlueScope’s Product Innovation & Technology (PI&T) team is at the forefront of developing the next generation of steel and coating solutions for Australian and global markets. Bringing together expertise in research, product development, engineering, materials science and customer-led innovation, the PI&T team transforms ideas into commercially successful products that deliver value for customers and support a more sustainable future.

We’re looking for a Digital Printing Development Specialist to join our Product Innovation & Technology team and help shape the future of BlueScope’s painted products.

This is a hands-on technical development role focused on advancing digital printing for BlueScope’s painted products. You’ll combine painted product knowledge with laboratory experimentation, technology evaluation and manufacturing trials to develop Digital Printing concepts as complete painted product systems and turn new ideas into practical product and process opportunities.

What Will You Do?

With your technical curiosity and experimental mindset, you’ll play an important role in progressing BlueScope’s future Digital Printing capability, You will:

• investigate future Digital Printing opportunities across finishes, effects, surface textures and longer-term solid-colour printing
• apply painted product knowledge to understand how substrates, pretreatments, primers, basecoats, inks and clearcoats interact within a Digital Printing system
• monitor emerging digital printing equipment, printhead and ink technologies and assess their potential application and compatibility with painted product systems
• design and undertake laboratory experiments, developing hypotheses, experimental plans and test methods
• analyse technical results and translate findings into practical recommendations and next steps
• take laboratory concepts through to executable manufacturing line trials and provide technical input when results differ from expectations
• work closely with painted product specialists to develop and assess Digital Printing concepts as complete painted product systems

More About You

You’re a technically curious problem solver who understands painted or coated product systems, enjoys getting hands-on with experimentation and is interested in applying that knowledge to Digital Printing. You’ll bring:

• a tertiary qualification in engineering, chemistry, materials science, polymer science or another relevant technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• experience in painted or coated product development, including practical understanding of coating systems and their performance
• knowledge of how substrates, pretreatments, primers, topcoats or basecoats and other coating layers interact and influence product performance
• experience in technical product, process or materials development
• demonstrated capability in experimental design and laboratory development work
• an ability to analyse technical results, draw evidence-based conclusions and recommend practical next steps
• strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across technical and operational teams
• curiosity and a willingness to build expertise in Digital Printing, inks and related technologies

Why BlueScope

As we’re creating strength for the future through our people, products and solutions, BlueScope gives you opportunities to innovate, learn and grow with the business, supported by inclusive leadership and a positive, passionate team. At BlueScope, you’ll:

• learn and develop as you grow. With opportunities tobuild skills specificto your role andaspirations,our lifelong learningculturewill support your future career pathways.
• create innovative solutions. Seek better, smarter ways to solve problems, create sustainable solutions and make things happen.
• experience connection and care. Experience a positive, inclusive work environment where we look out for each other’s safety and wellbeing.
• deliver work that matters. Every action you take matters in delivering for our customers and strengthening communities for the future. We value what you do.

At BlueScope, we offer work-life flexibility through our B-flex program. We’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every employee feels respected and valued to be their authentic selves, and welcome people of all backgrounds, skills, experiences and perspectives. We encourage Women and First Nations people to apply. We’re passionate about driving sustainability outcomes that matter to our communities, including action on climate and our 2050 net zero goal.

Bring your energy and make your mark, as, together, we drive Our Purpose: “We create and inspire smart solutions in steel, to strengthen communities for the future.”

Come and discover us atwww.bluescope.com/auscareers

Join us, creating strength for the future.