Owners Engineer - Mechanical

Samsara Eco; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Temporary relocation available

Expenses covered during relocation

Alternative workplace arrangements

Job summary

A climate technology innovator is seeking an Owner’s Engineer – Mechanical in Melbourne, Australia, to provide mechanical engineering leadership for the design and construction of a unique process plant. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in supporting large industrial facilities and hold a relevant engineering degree. This role involves travel and on-site support during critical project phases. Join us to help build a sustainable future through innovative recycling solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (required).
• Chartered or professional engineering registration is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience supporting large industrial facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical oversight during equipment installation.
• Support resolution of mechanical issues during construction.
• Develop and implement a structured Mechanical Knowledge Transfer Plan.

Skills

Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment used in chemical process plants

Experience supporting large industrial facilities from design through commissioning

Ability to work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, and Process Engineering teams

Strong communicator able to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders

Strong focus on mechanical reliability and maintainability

Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends or holidays if required

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Postgraduate qualifications in Mechanical or Reliability Engineering

Job description

“Be the catalyst that turns breakthrough science into global commercial reality.”

Samsara Eco exists for one reason: to repair our planet through infinite plastic recycling.

We are now entering the most defining phase of our journey — transitioning from breakthrough technology to global commercial deployment. This next chapter requires disciplined capital allocation, integrated operating design, and leadership that can translate technical innovation into enterprise-scale execution.

WHO WE ARE...

Samsara Eco is a climate technology innovator creating a truly circular solution for plastics and textiles. We are unlocking the ability to recycle materials infinitely — enabling brands to decouple growth from fossil fuel dependency.

Having successfully proven our science and piloting capability, we are now deploying our First Commercial Facility and building the blueprint for global replication.

This is not just an engineering challenge.

It is an enterprise scaling challenge.

ROLE PURPOSE...

The Owner’s Engineer – Mechanical represents Samsara’s technical and commercial interests in the mechanical design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and long‑term reliability of our first‑of‑a‑kind (FOAK) process plant.

The role provides independent mechanical engineering leadership to ensure that:

• Mechanical equipment and systems are designed, specified, and installed to support process technology and operational requirements.
• The facility meets production, safety, operability, maintainability, environmental, and commercial objectives.
• Mechanical design decisions are robust, defensible, and aligned with Samsara’s long‑term operating strategy.
• Mechanical integrity and reliability risks are identified, quantified, and managed across all project phases.
• Equipment and mechanical systems are fit‑for‑purpose, safe to operate, and capable of achieving guaranteed performance and availability targets.
• Mechanical knowledge is transferred effectively to long‑term Operations and Maintenance teams.

This position acts as the independent technical authority for the Owner and serves as the critical bridge between our:

• EPC/MPC Contractor
• Operations Process Engineering and Maintenance Teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES...

Team Leadership & Technical Guidance

• Work closely with the In-House Technology Team and Process Engineering team to ensure mechanical design supports the intended process operating envelope and technology requirements.
• Provide technical oversight across FEED, detailed engineering, vendor packages, equipment selection, and commissioning.
• Review key mechanical deliverables including equipment specifications, pressure vessels, rotating equipment designs, mechanical layouts, materials of construction, piping class specifications and installations.
• Ensure alignment between process requirements, mechanical design limits, and operational reliability.

Mechanical Integrity & Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate mechanical integrity and reliability risks during design and construction.
• Ensure equipment is designed for safe operation, materials compatibility, long-term reliability, and maintainability.
• Support mechanical inputs to process safety reviews (HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA, SIL) and equipment protection strategies.
• Provide technical review of vendor proposals and equipment selections.
• Support procurement activities including technical bid evaluations, vendor clarifications, FATs, and inspection activities.
• Ensure equipment complies with project specifications, engineering codes, and operational requirements.

Construction, Commissioning & Performance Validation

• Provide mechanical oversight during equipment installation and construction activities.
• Support resolution of mechanical issues during construction and pre-commissioning.
• Review and approve mechanical commissioning procedures.
• Validate readiness of critical mechanical systems prior to startup.
• Support troubleshooting of mechanical systems during commissioning and early plant operations.
• Confirm that mechanical systems support plant performance targets including equipment availability, reliability, mechanical integrity and maintainability.

Knowledge Transfer & Operational Readiness

• Develop and implement a structured Mechanical Knowledge Transfer Plan.
• Support knowledge transfer to Operations and Maintenance teams on equipment design, operating limits, and maintenance requirements.
• Contribute to development of operating manuals, maintenance strategies, troubleshooting guides, and spare parts planning.
• Ensure Operations and Maintenance teams understand not only how equipment operates, but why equipment was designed and specified in that way.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE...

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (required); postgraduate qualifications in Mechanical or Reliability Engineering are advantageous.
• Chartered or professional engineering registration (e.g., CEng, RPEQ or equivalent) is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment used in chemical process plants, including pressure vessels, pumps, rotating equipment, heat exchangers, piping systems, storage tanks, and materials of construction.
• Demonstrated experience supporting large industrial facilities from design through commissioning and startup.
• Strong understanding of relevant engineering codes and standards (e.g., ASME, API, ISO).
• Experience with FOAK or technology commercialisation projects highly desirable.
• Strong focus on mechanical reliability, maintainability, and inspection requirements.
• Ability to work effectively with Operations, Maintenance, and Process Engineering teams.
• Practical mindset with a focus on simplicity, robustness, and long-term asset performance.
• Strong communicator able to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in complex, evolving project environments, including early-stage or FOAK projects.
• Demonstrates strong alignment with company values and a collaborative, high-integrity culture.
• Flexibility to work shifts, including weekends or holidays if required.

LOCATION & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS...

This role can be based in any of the following locations:

• Jerrabomberra, NSW (Australia) — with travel to Singapore and Asia
• Singapore — with extensive travel to Australia and Asia

Please Note

Regardless of home base, the role requires significant time onsite. This includes:

• 2–3 months on the ground in Jerrabomberra, NSW, Australia during the early project phases
• Increased time in Asia toward the end of the plant fit‑out and commissioning.
• Temporary relocation available and expenses covered.

WHY WORK WITH US?

We’re not just building a plant—we’re building a new industry. At Samsara Eco, you’ll work on problems that matter for generations to come, surrounded by curious, driven people who move fast, stay grounded in values, and always do what’s right for the planet.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome diverse perspectives and support each person to show up as their full self. If you need adjustments during recruitment, we’re here to help.

Join us in building a legacy of positive change for the planet, and for future generations.

And for more information check out our explainer video here!