Drilling Maintenance Manager

Central Queensland Exploration Pty Ltd; Emerald; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Queensland Exploration Pty Ltd – Emerald QLD is seeking a Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance for our drilling fleet and related assets. The role focuses on safety, reliability, and high performance in a heavy equipment environment, with a hands-on leadership style and strong planning skills.

The position is Monday to Friday, 6:00am to 4:00pm, based in Capella, QLD, requiring local availability.

Qualifications

• Experience leading maintenance in heavy equipment/drilling/mining environments.
• Strong planning, scheduling and prioritisation skills.
• Proven ability to manage, develop and lead a maintenance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate maintenance activities across the business.
• Ensure equipment and vehicles are maintained safely and to high standards.
• Plan preventative and breakdown maintenance; monitor reliability and availability.
• Coordinate workshop priorities, labour and resources to meet operations.
• Support continuous improvement of maintenance systems and processes.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Planning

Communication

Team leadership

Safety

Maintenance management systems

Excel

Tools

Maintenance management systems

Excel

Job description

Central Queensland Exploration Pty Ltd – Emerald QLD

Join a respected, high-performance drilling team delivering industry-leading results across Central Queensland.

Central Queensland Exploration is a privately owned specialist in exploration and mine services drilling, backed by more than 20 years of proven experience. Our reputation is built on safety, reliability, and consistently exceeding client expectations, and we’re looking for an experienced Maintenance Manager to lead our maintenance operations and support the reliability and performance of our drilling fleet and associated equipment.

This is a Monday to Friday position, working 6:00am to 4:00pm. As a family-owned business, we invest heavily in our people, offering genuine career progression, ongoing development, and a supportive team culture where you’re valued, not just numbered.

About the Role:

You’ll be responsible for leading and coordinating maintenance activities across the business, ensuring our drilling equipment, vehicles and supporting assets are maintained safely, efficiently and to a high standard. This role requires strong leadership, effective planning and a hands‑on understanding of maintenance within a heavy equipment environment.

Workshop is based in Capella, QLD. Candidate must be local to the area.

Monday to Friday – 6:00am to 4:00pm

Lead and support the maintenance team to achieve safe and efficient outcomes

Plan and coordinate preventative and breakdown maintenance activities

Monitor equipment reliability, availability and maintenance requirements

Coordinate workshop priorities, labour and resources to meet operational demands

Work closely with Operations to minimise equipment downtime

Ensure maintenance activities are completed in accordance with Company Policies, Procedures and Work Safe Practices

Maintain high standards of housekeeping, safety and equipment care

Support continuous improvement across maintenance systems and processes

Work with a company that prioritises safety, teamwork, reliability and long‑term employment

Requirements of the successful applicant:

Demonstrated experience in a maintenance leadership or supervisory position

Strong computer skills, including utilising excel software and the ability to effectively use maintenance management systems for scheduling, reporting and record keeping

Previous experience working with heavy equipment, drilling, mining or a similar industry is highly regarded

Strong knowledge of preventative maintenance, breakdown management and equipment reliability

Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage, support and develop a maintenance team

Excellent planning, organisation and prioritisation skills

Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with Operations, suppliers and other members of the team

Must be reliable, motivated and committed to working as part of a team

Strong commitment to workplace health and safety

Must be able to demonstrate the ability to adhere to Company Policies, Procedures and Work Safe Practices

Confidence to oversee the safe and correct maintenance of equipment, vehicles and tooling

If you’re an experienced Maintenance Manager looking for stability, professional growth, and the opportunity to play a key role in keeping a high‑performing drilling operation running safely and efficiently, Central Queensland Exploration is for you!