Mechanical Engineer

JOORNEY; Sydney; On-site; AUD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Job summary

Cognescenti Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia, seeks a Mechanical Engineer to design, maintain and optimize mechanical systems in cosmetic manufacturing, ensuring GMP, FDA and ISO 22716 compliance. You will own equipment reliability, safety and process improvements across production, maintenance and engineering teams.

The role requires a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering, proven manufacturing experience, and strong knowledge of lean methods and preventative maintenance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering recognised in Australia.
• Experience applying mechanical engineering principles in manufacturing/production.
• Working knowledge of GMP and ISO 22716 and their documentation.
• Experience developing preventive maintenance programs and diagnosing faults.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methods.
• Understanding of machinery safety, risk assessment and lockout/tagout practices.
• Ability to plan and deliver engineering projects, including budgets, timelines, vendors and contractors.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including training operators and preparing reports.

Responsibilities

• Design and improve mechanical systems for mixing, filling, labelling, and packaging cosmetic products.
• Optimise production processes to ensure consistent product quality, reduce cycle times, and minimise waste.
• Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot mechanical issues and fine-tune equipment settings for efficient operation.
• Oversee routine maintenance and repairs of mixers, conveyors, filling machines, labelling systems, and other production equipment.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
• Diagnose equipment malfunctions and coordinate with maintenance technicians to ensure timely resolution.
• Ensure all equipment and processes comply with GMP, FDA, and ISO 22716 cosmetic manufacturing standards.
• Implement mechanical quality-control measures to maintain product consistency and safety.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

GMP knowledge

Project management

Lockout/Tagout

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Type: Permanent position | Full time position

Job Description

About the business Cognescenti Pty Ltd manufactures cosmetic products. Its production operation relies on mechanical systems for mixing, filling, labelling and packaging, supported by a warehouse and maintenance function. Production is carried out under

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), FDA and ISO 22716 cosmetic manufacturing standards. Purpose of the position The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for the design, optimisation, maintenance and continuous improvement of the mechanical systems used in the manufacture of cosmetic products.

The position applies professional mechanical engineering knowledge and independent judgement to keep production equipment reliable, efficient, safe and compliant, and to deliver engineering projects that improve the plant over time. The role works at the intersection of engineering, production and maintenance. It is expected to identify problems before they stop the line, to translate production needs into practical mechanical solutions, and to own the documentation that demonstrates compliance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and improve mechanical systems for mixing, filling, labelling, and packaging cosmetic products.
• Optimise production processes to ensure consistent product quality, reduce cycle times, and minimise waste.
• Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot mechanical issues and fine-tune equipment settings for efficient operation.
• Oversee routine maintenance and repairs of mixers, conveyors, filling machines, labelling systems, and other production equipment.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
• Diagnose equipment malfunctions and coordinate with maintenance technicians to ensure timely resolution.
• Ensure all equipment and processes comply with GMP, FDA, and ISO 22716 cosmetic manufacturing standards.
• Implement mechanical quality-control measures to maintain product consistency and safety.
• Maintain documentation for maintenance, calibration, and inspections in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Identify and implement energy-saving opportunities, including optimising power usage and upgrading to energy-efficient equipment.
• Support sustainability initiatives by reducing water and chemical consumption in production processes.
• Monitor environmental impacts of mechanical processes and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to streamline production and eliminate inefficiencies.
• Conduct process analyses to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs.
• Implement workflow and equipment-setup changes to reduce waste, improve speed, and increase accuracy.
• Assist in selecting, installing, and commissioning new production machinery, ensuring alignment with operational needs.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors during equipment installation to ensure safety and compliance.
• Perform equipment testing and validation protocols prior to full-scale production.
• Analyse and optimise equipment settings to achieve consistent product specifications such as texture and colour.
• Develop and enforce mechanical safety protocols in compliance with OSHA and other safety regulations.
• Conduct machinery risk assessments and implement controls to protect operators and production staff.
• Train team members on safe operating procedures, including lockout/tagout (LOTO).
• Manage inventory of critical spare parts to minimise downtime.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance activities, repairs, and process changes.
• Generate regular reports on equipment performance, downtime, efficiency, and maintenance costs.
• Plan and oversee mechanical engineering projects, including equipment upgrades, new installations, and process modifications.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources while coordinating with external vendors and contractors.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A bachelor degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent qualification recognised in Australia.
• Demonstrated experience applying mechanical engineering principles in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Working knowledge of GMP and ISO 22716 (or comparable regulated manufacturing standards) and the documentation they require.
• Experience developing preventive maintenance programs and diagnosing faults in production machinery.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methods, and the ability to apply them to real production problems.
• Sound understanding of machinery safety, risk assessment and lockout/tagout practice.
• Ability to plan and deliver engineering projects, including managing budgets, timelines, vendors and contractors.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to train operators and prepare reports for management.

Salary Effective pay rate AUD 110,000 per annum + 12% superannuation