Process Engineer

PLS External Careers; Shire Of East Pilbara; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Facilities access at site

Health & wellbeing allowance

Community leave

Employee recognition awards

KidsCo program

EAP & Chaplains

Job summary

PLS External Careers seeks a Chemical or Metallurgical Engineer to provide day-to-day process engineering support for the MSDP Operations Team in the Pilbara region. The role includes commissioning, ramp-up, and steady-state transitions, working with operators, maintainers and technicians to ensure safe and reliable plant performance.

This 12-month maximum term position operates on an 8/6 FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO to the Pilbara site, joining a team focused on efficient mineral processing

Qualifications

• Analytical mindset to troubleshoot process issues and drive data-informed improvements.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced operational setting.
• Experience with safety and environmental requirements in mining or chemical processing environments.
• Understanding of plant operations, process flowsheets, unit operations and control systems (DCS/SCADA).
• Proven experience in hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical or chemical processing environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day process engineering support to operations, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable plant performance.
• Support commissioning, start-up and ramp-up activities, capturing lessons learned to optimise performance.
• Monitor plant KPIs (throughput, recovery, yield, reagent use) and drive corrective actions to improve performance.
• Investigate process upsets and equipment issues using data analysis to identify root causes and implement solutions.
• Lead process optimisation initiatives, including trials and continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and cost performance.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures and control strategies to support stable operations

Skills

Analytical mindset

Effective communicator

Team collaboration

Data-driven improvement

Education

Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering degree

Job description

About PLS

The world is going electric, and PLS is at the forefront of the charge.

Our collaborative, inclusive culture is a cornerstone of PLS. Humble, down-to-earth and genuinely invested in each other, we are one team united by a common purpose and driven to do great work together.

Being such a fast-moving company in clean energy transition means there is no shortage of challenge or opportunity. Whether it is taking on new projects, developing new skills or stepping into bigger roles, PLS is a place where careers move and where your potential has room to grow.

We're not a big corporate, and we don't want to be. At PLS you own your work, you're backed by people who care about doing a good job, and there's room to innovate and make things happen.

Positioned to be a major force for change, this is a great time to join us as we play a critical role in addressing the global energy crisis. If you want to be part of an organization that is all about great people shaping the next era of battery minerals, we would love to hear from you.

The future is lithium, make it yours.

What PLS offers

• Access to newly refurbished facilities at Pilgangoora, including gym, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, sports oval and scenic walking tracks
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Paid community leave
• Monthly employee recognition awards
• Access to PLS’ KidsCo School Holiday Program
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Company Chaplains

The opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Process Engineer, this role provides day-to-day process engineering and technical support to the MSDP Operations Team, operating under the direction of the Senior Process Engineer. The role plays a key part in phased commissioning, plant ramp-up, and transition to steady-state operations, working directly with operators, maintainers, and technical personnel to drive safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance.

This is a 12-month maximum term role which operates on a 8/6 FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO in the Pilbara region.

Key responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day process engineering support to operations, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable plant performance.
• Support commissioning, start-up and ramp-up activities, capturing lessons learned to optimise performance.
• Monitor plant KPIs (throughput, recovery, yield, reagent use) and drive corrective actions to improve performance.
• Investigate process upsets and equipment issues using data analysis to identify root causes and implement solutions.
• Lead process optimisation initiatives, including trials and continuous improvement to enhance efficiency and cost performance.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, operating procedures and control strategies to support stable operations

About you

• Degree in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering with relevant process engineering experience.
• Proven experience in hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical or chemical processing environments.
• Strong understanding of plant operations, process flowsheets, unit operations and control systems (DCS/SCADA).
• Analytical mindset with the ability to troubleshoot process issues and drive data-informed improvements.
• Solid knowledge of safety and environmental requirements within a mining or chemical processing environment.
• Effective communicator who can collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced operational setting

Supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce

PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that values, respects and supports diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our business and help us deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and the future we’re building. We foster an environment where everyone feels safe, included and able to contribute their best. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, equitable and accessible for all.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, all ages, and people of all genders and sexual orientations (LGBTQIA+).

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace to support all applicants and employees. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application process or inform our Careers team if you are contacted for an interview.

Our recruitment process

As part of our recruitment process, a number of checks will be conducted, including police / criminal background checks, medical assessments, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence, right to work checks and reference checks.

We respectfully request agencies not to submit unsolicited resumes.

Acknowledgement of Country

PLS respectfully acknowledges the Nyamal and Kariyarra People of the Pilbara, the Whadjuk Noongar People of the Perth region and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples of these lands.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing connection and care for the land, water and Country.