Leading Hand Mechanical Fitter - Sydney

The Shadbolt Group; Bullatale; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership role in Defence projects

Hands-on leadership and team mentoring

Defence/naval environment exposure

Job summary

The Shadbolt Group is seeking an experienced Leading Hand Mechanical Fitter for Garden Island, NSW, to support critical Defence and naval maintenance activities. You will lead a skilled trades team, perform hands-on fitting and maintenance, and coordinate daily activities to ensure safety and high-quality outcomes.

Ideal candidates will have recognised mechanical trade qualifications, extensive post-trade experience, and a proactive approach to safety, with the ability to read drawings and guide

Qualifications

• Experience leading mechanical trades in Defence or naval environments.
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and work instructions.
• Commitment to safety, quality and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate mechanical trades personnel.
• Perform mechanical fitting, maintenance, overhaul and repairs.
• Fault-find across pumps, valves, gearboxes and rotating equipment.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Monitor productivity, safety and workmanship; support Defence vessel maintenance.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical fitting

Fault finding

Reading drawings

Safety & quality

Team coordination

Education

Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Fitting/Machining)

Tools

Hydraulic systems knowledge

Pneumatic systems knowledge

Job description

Leading Hand Mechanical Fitter - Defence & Marine

Location: Garden Island, NSW | Shadbolt Group

Lead from the front. Work on critical Defence assets.

Shadbolt Group is seeking an experienced Leading Hand Mechanical Fitter to join our team at Garden Island, supporting critical Defence and naval maintenance activities.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a skilled mechanical tradesperson who can coordinate a team, solve complex mechanical problems and deliver high-quality work in a demanding Defence environment.

What's in it for you?

• Work on critical naval vessels and Defence assets.
• Take a leading role in a skilled mechanical trades team.
• Combine hands-on fitting with day-to-day team coordination.
• Be part of a growing engineering business delivering essential Defence capability.

About the role

You'll coordinate daily trade activities while remaining hands‑on with mechanical fitting, maintenance, overhaul, repairs, installation and testing. Working closely with the Site Supervisor, you'll help keep work safe, on schedule and to the highest technical and quality standards.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading and coordinating mechanical trades personnel.
• Undertaking mechanical fitting, maintenance, overhaul and repairs.
• Fault‑finding across pumps, valves, gearboxes, bearings, drives and rotating equipment.
• Interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and work instructions.
• Monitoring productivity, workmanship, safety and quality.
• Supporting vessel maintenance activities in a Defence and marine environment.

What you’ll bring

• Recognised mechanical trade qualification, such as Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Fitting/Machining), or equivalent.
• Significant post‑trade mechanical fitting and maintenance experience.
• Previous Leading Hand, Chargehand or senior trade experience.
• Strong mechanical fault‑finding and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to read engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• A proactive approach to safety, quality and team leadership.

Highly regarded: Defence, naval, shipbuilding or dockyard experience; hydraulic and pneumatic systems knowledge; confined space, working at heights, rigging or dogging tickets; and an existing Baseline or NV1 security clearance.

Defence Eligibility Requirements

Australian citizenship is essential. You must also be able to satisfy applicable Defence security, site access, medical, police check and drug and alcohol screening requirements.

Ready to take the lead?

If you're a hands‑on mechanical tradesperson who can lead a crew and deliver results on critical Defence assets, we'd like to hear from you.