Process Operations Engineer: Plant Startup & Optimization

Yakr Pty; Mount Isa City; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Scidell Pty Ltd seeks a Process Operations Engineer to drive daily production, site construction, and commissioning activities. You will bridge practical plant operations with process engineering under supervision, operating multi-stage chemical processes and optimizing performance.

The role develops technical capabilities toward design and project management, with autonomy to lead operational readiness and safety compliance while coordinating with maintenance and laboratories.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) or equivalent.
• Minimum of 18 months hands-on experience in chemical processing, production, or plant engineering.
• Experience in process monitoring, chemical plant operations, parameter adjustments, and troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, multi-task, manage time efficiently, and adapt to changing plant environments.
• Willingness to work on site at Julia Creek; remote/regional work experience is highly preferred.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with internal teams, laboratories, and external vendors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review process engineering deliverables and technical systems meeting standards and best practices.
• Monitor and analyze production stages; develop remediation plans for underperformance and continuous improvement.
• Operate plant machinery safely per SOPs including start-up and shutdown.
• Assist with operational readiness, site construction activities, and plant commissioning.
• Check, adjust and maintain key process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow, concentrations).
• Conduct regular inspections and quality checks to ensure specifications; troubleshoot deviations.
• Identify and troubleshoot basic equipment malfunctions; coordinate with maintenance and engineering for complex issues.
• Adhere to Site Safety and Health Management System; maintain accurate process and production records.

Skills

Process monitoring

Chemical plant operations

Parameter adjustments

Troubleshooting

Autonomy

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)

Job description

Scidell Pty Ltd seeks a Process Operations Engineer to drive daily production, site construction, and commissioning activities. You will bridge practical plant operations with process engineering under supervision, operating multi-stage chemical processes and optimizing performance.

The role develops technical capabilities toward design and project management, with autonomy to lead operational readiness and safety compliance while coordinating with maintenance and laboratories.