Graduate Technical Engineer - Manufacturing

Capral; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study assistance

Employee benefits

Job summary

Capral's Smithfield aluminium extrusion facility is seeking a curious graduate to start on the factory floor, learning from operators, technicians, and leaders while building your engineering career from the ground up.

You'll gain practical exposure to aluminium extrusion processes, automated machinery, process control, and continuous improvement, with study assistance and pathways across Capral's national operations.

Qualifications

• Recent or upcoming graduates in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical or Automation Engineering.
• Willing to learn on factory floor.
• Interest in automation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Learn on the factory floor alongside experienced engineers.
• Assist with process improvement and troubleshooting.
• Develop practical engineering knowledge for manufacturing operations.

Skills

Curious about machinery

Problem solving

Hands-on learner

Automation interest

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical / Mechatronics / Manufacturing)

Job description

Start on the factory floor. Learn the process. Build your engineering career from the ground up.

Whether you're preparing to graduate at the end of 2026 or have recently completed your degree, this is an opportunity to turn what you've learned at university into genuine, hands‑on engineering experience.

Capral Aluminium is looking for a curious and technically minded graduate to join our Smithfield aluminium extrusion manufacturing facility.

This isn't your typical graduate role. You'll start where the engineering happens — on the manufacturing floor — learning alongside experienced operators, technicians, tradespeople and manufacturing leaders.

You’ll gain practical exposure to:

• Aluminium extrusion and manufacturing processes
• Automated machinery and material-handling systems
• Process control and optimisation
• Equipment performance and troubleshooting
• Root-cause problem solving
• Quality, safety and continuous improvement

You’ll apply the engineering principles you’ve learned at university while developing practical knowledge of how a real manufacturing operation works.

START HERE. SEE WHERE IT CAN TAKE YOU.

Capral is Australia's largest locally-owned aluminium extruder, with manufacturing plants and operations across Australia.

Building your technical foundation at Smithfield can open future opportunities across:

• Process & Manufacturing Engineering
• Reliability & Maintenance
• Projects
• Automation
• Continuous Improvement
• Quality
• Operations & Leadership

With a broad national footprint, your first role at Capral could be the beginning of a much bigger career.

Start from the ground up. Build the knowledge. Leapfrog your career.

ABOUT YOU

We're looking for recent or upcoming graduates in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical or Automation Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.

You don’t need years of manufacturing experience. We’re looking for someone who:

• Is curious about how machinery and manufacturing processes work
• Enjoys solving problems and finding better ways of doing things
• Is hands‑on and willing to learn on the factory floor
• Is interested in automation, technology and continuous improvement
• Is safety focused and keen to learn from experienced people
• Wants to build a long‑term engineering career

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• Full-time, permanent opportunity
• Hands‑on technical and engineering experience
• On‑the‑job learning and development
• Exposure to experienced manufacturing and technical professionals
• Career opportunities across Capral's national operations
• Study assistance and professional development
• Access to Capral employee benefits

Bring us your engineering education. We'll help you turn it into engineering experience.

READY TO TURN YOUR DEGREE INTO EXPERIENCE?

If you want to understand how things work, solve real manufacturing problems and build the foundations of your engineering career, we’d like to hear from you.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Applicants must be prepared to undergo and pass a pre‑employment medical examination, including a drug and alcohol test.

Diversity and Inclusion:

At Capral, we are committed to increasing the representation of women in our workforce. We strongly encourage female applicants to apply for this position.

Our Culture:

Capral’s values-based culture prioritizes our people. Our five core values—Safety First, Customer Success, Play Fair, Better Every Day, and Own It—guide our operations and our commitment to our team.