Principal Engineer Civil & Structural | Adelaide Office | Monday - Friday Roster

BHP; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 190,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Performance bonuses

Employee share plan

Inclusive team

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Paid parental leave

Recognition programs

Job summary

BHP Copper SA is seeking a Principal Engineer Civil & Structural to act as the technical authority across Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill. Based in Adelaide with a hybrid work arrangement, you will shape engineering standards and guide asset integrity decisions in a complex mining portfolio.

You will lead structural integrity management, drive governance, mentor engineers and partner with Operations, Projects and Risk teams to deliver safe, reliable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status with Engineers Australia.
• Extensive mining/industrial experience and strong governance experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as the civil and structural technical authority across Copper SA operations.
• Provide technical leadership for designs, deviations and fitness-for-service work.
• Own and improve civil/structural standards, specifications and governance.
• Lead asset integrity management and inspections, remaining-life decisions.
• Support risk management related to structural failures and performance standards.
• Provide independent technical assurance for projects and service providers.
• Coach and develop engineering capability across Copper SA.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Projects and Risk teams.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Structural Engineering

Chartered Professional Engineer

Asset management

Governance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Technical writing

Education

Civil/Structural Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (EA)

Tools

Structural analysis software

Finite element methods

Job description

About Copper SA Operations At BHP

BHP is a global resources company operating across more than 90 locations worldwide, with a purpose to improve lives and support a more sustainable future. Through Copper South Australia (Copper SA), we are building a leading copper portfolio that supports the global energy transition, supplying materials essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure. For you, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading copper businesses.

The Challenge Ahead

As Principal Engineer Civil & Structural, you will be the technical authority for civil and structural engineering across Copper SA’s operations, including Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill. This is a highly influential role where your expertise will help shape engineering standards, guide critical asset integrity decisions, and support the safe and reliable performance of one of Australia’s most complex mining and minerals processing portfolios.

Working across multiple operations and functions, you will provide technical leadership on complex engineering matters where safety, production and asset integrity are critical. You will play a key role in structural integrity management, ensuring engineering risks, failure scenarios and critical controls are clearly understood and effectively managed through evidence-based decision making.

This is an opportunity to influence strategic outcomes, strengthen engineering governance, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Copper SA’s operations while mentoring and developing engineering capability across the business.

What You'll Bring To The Role

You are a respected civil or structural engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgement and the ability to influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups. You are comfortable making decisions on high-consequence engineering matters and can translate complex technical concepts into practical guidance and actionable solutions.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status with Engineers Australia.
• Extensive experience within mining, minerals processing, smelting, heavy industry or a comparable operating environment.
• Strong knowledge of structural integrity, asset management and engineering governance in operating plant environments.
• Technical capability across steel structures, reinforced concrete, foundations, industrial buildings, access structures and supporting civil infrastructure.
• Experience assessing ageing, damaged, modified or corroded structures and determining practical remediation strategies.
• Strong investigation, technical writing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence leaders, project teams and technical specialists.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the civil and structural technical authority across Copper SA operations, providing expert guidance on structural integrity and civil infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership and assurance for designs, technical deviations, fitness-for-service assessments, temporary repairs and remediation strategies.
• Own and continuously improve civil and structural engineering standards, specifications and governance frameworks.
• Lead structural engineering input into asset integrity management, including asset criticality, inspections, condition assessments and remaining-life decisions.
• Support material risk management activities related to structural failures and associated performance standards.
• Provide independent technical assurance for projects, consultants and engineering service providers.
• Lead or support structural failure investigations and drive sustainable improvements from investigation outcomes.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Projects, Asset Management and Risk teams to deliver safe and effective engineering outcomes.
• Coach, mentor and develop engineering capability across Copper SA.
• Leverage digital engineering systems and tools to improve the quality, consistency and efficiency of engineering practices.

Work Location

This permanent full-time role is based in Adelaide, South Australia on a Monday to Friday roster, with flexible hybrid working arrangements available. Regular travel to Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill is required, with additional site attendance during critical assessments, incidents, shutdowns or major remediation activities.

Why You'll Love Working Here

Benefits

At BHP, you’ll do meaningful work in an environment that supports you to perform at your best; on site and at home. That’s why our benefits are designed to support your health, your growth, and your personal balance:

• Grow your career your way, with opportunities to develop and move across BHP
• Be rewarded with competitive pay, performance bonuses and our BHP employee share plan
• Work in an inclusive team where people support each other every day
• Enjoy flexibility and family-friendly options that help you balance work and life
• Access wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance for you and your family
• Build your future with benefits like paid parental leave, recognition programs, etc.

And so much more!

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 14th October 2026.

About Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.

We Support a Diverse Workforce

At BHP, we believe diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and can thrive. Our workforce reflects the communities where we operate, and we value all aspects of identity; gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education, and more.

We ensure that our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and equitable. If you have a disability and need adjustments, please contact us at [e-mail].