Principal Engineer Fire Systems| Adelaide Office | Monday - Friday Roster

BHP Group; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

BHP Group in Adelaide, South Australia, is seeking a Principal Engineer Fire Systems to lead fire safety engineering across Copper SA operations. Reporting to Engineering Superintendent, you will define standards, govern critical controls, and drive risk-based improvements in underground mining environments.

This permanent full-time role offers relocation support, regular site travel, and flexible work arrangements with three days in the office.

Qualifications

• A degree in Engineering with fire safety specialization.
• Extensive experience in fire safety engineering, including underground mining.
• Knowledge of active and passive fire protection systems.
• Understanding of underground ventilation and risk management.
• Knowledge of international, Australian and local standards, regulations and practices.
• Experience applying enterprise risk management and asset management frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead strategic improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define and continuously improve fire and explosion risk management standards, processes, systems and technologies.
• Lead governance and assurance activities, including oversight of critical controls across Copper SA operations.
• Support material risk management processes associated with fire and explosion priority risks.
• Partner closely with operational teams to strengthen risk controls and improve safety performance.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with operational, functional and global stakeholders.
• Provide specialist technical guidance and act as the subject matter expert for fire systems and fire engineering practices.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and the adoption of emerging technologies.
• Demonstrate leadership aligned with the BHP Charter, Code of Conduct and statutory obligations.

Skills

Fire safety engineering

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Risk management

Underground mining experience

Education

Engineering degree (fire safety specialization)

Job description

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Date: 21 Sept 2026

Job Posting End Date:

Job Country: Australia

Job State/Province: South Australia

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.

We currently have a vacancy for a Principal Engineer Fire Systems, reporting to the Engineering Superintendent.

The Challenge Ahead

An exciting opportunity exists within our Copper South Australia Engineering team for an experienced and highly capable fire engineering professional with a strong background in underground mining. As the Principal Engineer Fire Systems, you will provide technical leadership across Copper SA operations, helping to define and embed industry-leading standards, systems and practices that support the management of fire and explosion risks.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will influence critical safety outcomes, partner with operational teams, and contribute to the future direction of fire and explosion risk management across underground mining operations. You will bring together innovation, engineering excellence and risk management expertise to support safer, smarter and more sustainable mining operations.

Working within BHP's Maintenance and Engineering Centre of Excellence (MECoE), you'll collaborate with a diverse network of stakeholders, leveraging leading technologies and engineering practices to deliver meaningful improvements across the business.

What You'll Bring to the Role

You are a respected technical leader with deep expertise in fire safety engineering and a passion for improving safety outcomes in complex operational environments.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A degree in Engineering or an equivalent tertiary qualification, with fire safety specialisation highly regarded.
• Extensive experience in fire safety engineering, including a strong background supporting underground mining operations.
• Deep technical knowledge of active and passive fire protection systems and underground fire and explosion management controls.
• Strong understanding of underground ventilation principles and their application to fire and explosion risk management.
• Knowledge of relevant international, Australian and local standards, regulations and engineering practices.
• Experience applying enterprise risk management and asset management frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across a matrix organisation.
• Proven capability to lead strategic improvement initiatives, solve complex technical challenges and drive sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop and continuously improve fire and explosion risk management standards, processes, systems and technologies.
• Lead governance and assurance activities, including oversight of critical controls across Copper SA operations.
• Support material risk management processes associated with fire and explosion priority risks.
• Partner closely with operational teams to strengthen risk controls and improve safety performance.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with operational, functional and global stakeholders.
• Provide specialist technical guidance and act as the subject matter expert for fire systems and fire engineering practices.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and the adoption of emerging technologies.
• Demonstrate leadership aligned with the BHP Charter, Code of Conduct and statutory obligations.

Work Location

This permanent full-time role is based in Adelaide, South Australia, with relocation support available for the successful candidate. Regular site travel will be required to support operational engagement and risk management activities across Copper SA assets. Flexible work arrangements are available, with team members expected to collaborate in the office at least three days per week.

Why You'll Love Working Here

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!

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].