Graduate Mechanical Engineer

Kestrel Coal Midco; Emerald; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive incentives

Housing options

Salary packaging

Subsidised private health insurance

Leadership development programs

Job summary

Kestrel Coal Midco, located in Queensland, Australia, is offering a Graduate Mechanical Engineer position as part of their NEXTGEN Graduate Program. This role emphasizes hands-on operational experience in underground coal mining, ultimately fostering the growth of well-rounded engineers.

In this position, you will work closely with operational teams, focusing on mechanical reliability and asset management while supported by experienced mentors. The program integrates practical experience with technical development, ensuring a comprehensive engineering foundation.

Qualifications

• Recent graduate or final year student in Mechanical Engineering.
• Interest in mining and asset management.
• Willing to work underground for operational experience.

Responsibilities

• Support operational and maintenance experience.
• Assist with mechanical reliability and asset management activities.
• Contribute to engineering investigations and defect elimination.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are Kestrel – one of the world’s largest producing underground coking coal mines, delivering around 7 million tonnes of high‑quality metallurgical coal annually to global steelmakers.

About the role

The Graduate Mechanical Engineer role provides an exciting opportunity to build a career in underground coal mining while developing both operational and technical engineering capability. Reporting to the Superintendent Engineering, this role forms part of Kestrel's NEXTGEN Graduate Program and is designed to develop well‑rounded engineers through a combination of operational experience, technical development and meaningful project work.

Unlike many graduate programs, your first 12 months will focus on gaining a deep understanding of underground mining operations. You will spend significant time working alongside operational and maintenance crews underground, developing practical knowledge of equipment, processes, production activities and the challenges faced by frontline teams. This operational foundation will provide invaluable context for your future engineering career.

Following this initial development period, you will transition into a more technical engineering focus, supporting mechanical reliability, asset management, infrastructure projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the operation. Throughout the program, you will be supported by experienced mentors and leaders who are committed to your development.

Why you’ll love working here

• A permanent role on a site with a strong future – long mine life and room to grow.
• Monday to Friday or a 9‑day fortnight, the choice is yours.
• Great pay and perks – including competitive incentives, housing options, and salary packaging.
• Health‑first mindset – with our award‑winning Health Program and subsidised private health insurance.
• Supported to grow – we’ll back your development through tailored programs like our award‑winning ‘Unleashed’ Leadership Program and study assistance.
• A culture that walks the talk – respect, agility, commitment and collaboration are how we operate, every day.

In this role, you will support Kestrel by

• Developing a strong understanding of underground mining operations through hands‑on operational and maintenance experience.
• Working alongside underground crews to gain practical exposure to mining equipment, infrastructure and operational processes.
• Supporting safe and efficient production outcomes through active participation in operational activities and improvement initiatives.
• Assisting with mechanical reliability and asset management activities across underground operations.
• Contributing to engineering investigations, root cause analysis and defect elimination initiatives.
• Supporting the management and optimisation of underground mechanical systems and infrastructure.
• Assisting with the planning and delivery of engineering projects and capital improvement initiatives.
• Participating in risk assessments, audits and continuous improvement programmes.
• Developing engineering reports, technical documentation and performance analysis.
• Building strong working relationships with operational, maintenance and technical teams across site.
• Contributing to projects that improve safety, reliability, productivity and operational performance.

About you

You’re an enthusiastic and motivated graduate who is excited by the opportunity to learn how a world‑class underground mining operation works. You understand that becoming a great engineer starts with understanding the people, equipment and processes that drive the business, and you’re eager to gain hands‑on operational experience before developing deeper technical expertise.

• A tertiary qualification in Mechanical Engineering or be in your final year of study.
• A genuine interest in mining, heavy industry, asset management or operational engineering.
• A willingness to work underground and gain practical operational experience as part of your development.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with a desire to understand how things work and how they can be improved.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across a diverse workforce.
• A proactive attitude, strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning.
• The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Sound computer literacy and the ability to learn new systems and technologies.
• Willingness to complete required site training, including underground inductions, medical assessments and statutory requirements.

We welcome applications from everyone – including First Nations people, women and candidates from culturally diverse backgrounds.

If you need adjustments or support through the application process, just let us know – we’re here to help.