Senior Data Scientist - Plant Intelligence

Fortescue Metals Group; Perth; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortescue Metals Group is seeking an experienced professional to design, build and deploy AI/analytics workflows for fixed plant operations at our Perth office. You will work with control and process engineers to integrate outputs into plant control systems and operations strategies, aiming to improve operational productivity, energy efficiency and yield.

You will join an AI-native delivery team, champion practical AI use in workflows, and collaborate with SMEs across disciplines to deliver

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience in process engineering or metallurgy, data science or applied research.
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, mathematics, metallurgy or related field, or equivalent.
• Practical experience with data science tools and Python.
• Experience with AI-enabled workflows.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams, bridging business and technology.
• Ability to translate complex data into requirements.
• Familiarity with applied statistics and machine learning in industrial processes.

Responsibilities

• Own design, build, deployment and support of AI/analytics workflows across the product development lifecycle.
• Quantify efficiency opportunities using data from multiple sources.
• Collaborate with domain SMEs and users to shape technical requirements.
• Work with frontline teams to test and refine models for adoption and impact.
• Maintain backlogs and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Support community development through technical leadership on data science and AI.

Skills

Data analysis

AI/ML awareness

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or MSc in engineering/math/metallurgy or related

Tools

Python

Job description

Work Location: 256 St Georges Tce, Fortescue's Perth office is located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people.

Roster: Monday to Friday

Reporting to: Principal Delivery Lead – Plant Intelligence

Fortescue is transforming its business through Artificial Intelligence, bringing our unique culture of innovation and leading through doing to transform our asset and employee productivity. In this role you will develop and deploy AI models for fixed plant operations, working with control and process engineers to integrate their outputs into plant control systems and operations strategies. These applications might include performance explanation, soft sensors for sensor augmentation, operating classification and setpoint recommendations. Success means measurable improvement in asset productivity drivers including operating rate, recovery and yield, energy efficiency and water use.

This role is suited to experienced individual contributors who deliver autonomously in a range of settings. It would suit candidates coming from a range of backgrounds, including process engineering, metallurgy, data science or applied research. Mineral processing experience is valuable, but we would also consider strong technical specialists in applied data science and machine learning. Regardless of background, you will bring a strong ability to analyse operational performance, develop fit-for-purpose models and take them from exploration through validation & operational use with SMEs and users.

You will work in a forward-deployed AI delivery team, with a focus on accelerated development of new solutions across multiple disciplines in close partnership with operations. As part of an AI-native team, you will champion the practical use of generative AI in personal and team workflows, share effective practices and contribute to its adoption and productivity impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Owning the design, build, deployment and support of AI and analytics workflows across the product development lifecycle
• Helping identify, quantify and validate efficiency and opportunities, using data from a range of sources
• Collaborating with domain SMEs and users to shape technical requirements
• Working closely with front-line and operational support teams to test, validate and refine models to support adoption and operational impact
• Maintaining the backlogs for development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to prioritise development
• Supporting community development through technical engagement and leadership on data science and AI topics

Qualifications and Experience

• Five or more years of experience in process engineering or metallurgy, data science or applied research, with demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in data analysis, developing and interpreting outputs from analytical models
• Tertiary qualifications in engineering, mathematics, metallurgy or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Practical experience in data science tools and technologies, such as Python
• Experience and demonstrated interest in AI-enabled workflows
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teams, particularly business and technology
• Ability to translate complex data sources and technical issues into requirements
• Familiarity with applied statistics and machine learning in industrial process operations is well regarded

About Us

Be part of something big. Fortescue is leading the world with our plan to decarbonise our iron ore operations, projects that harness renewable energy and the development of technology that will change our planet forever.

Our Commitment

Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

https://fortescue.com/careers