Senior Mine Controller

PLS; Shire Of East Pilbara; On-site; AUD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly short-term incentive bonus

Employee share scheme

Access to newly refurbished facilities

18 weeks parental leave for primaryCar

Health and wellbeing allowance

Novated leasing through salary sacrif

Paid community leave

Monthly employee recognition awards

Access to KidsCo School HolidayProgram

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

PLS in Pilbara is seeking a Senior Mine Controller to monitor and coordinate autonomous haulage system (AHS) operations. You’ll act as the central control point for AHS operations, liaising with operations, maintenance and technology teams, and providing frontline troubleshooting in the control room.

The role requires 4+ years AHS controller/builder experience, a C-Class licence, and a strong safety ethos. Based at Pilgangoora with an 8:6 FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO in the Pilbara region.

Qualifications

• Experience with AHS controller/builders and real-time fleet monitoring.
• C-Class licence and ability to operate in a FIFO mining environment.
• Strong commitment to safety and environmental standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor autonomous fleet performance in real time and respond to delays and faults.
• Coordinate with mining, maintenance, technology and OEM teams to resolve issues.
• Develop and maintain operating standards to maximise system performance.
• Lead first-response troubleshooting for AHS fleet interruptions.
• Record incidents and contribute to root cause analysis and improvements.
• Ensure safe autonomous operations through critical controls and risk reviews.

Skills

CAT command for hauling

Teamwork

Safety focus

C-Class licence

AHS Controller/Builder experience

Job description

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 organisations 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

• Quarterly short-term incentive bonus recognising individual and business performance
• PLS employee share scheme
• Access to newly refurbished facilities at Pilgangoora, including gym, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, sports oval and scenic walking tracks
• 18 weeks parental leave for primary carers and 4 weeks for secondary carers
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Novated leasing through salary sacrifice
• 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 Supervisor Mine Control, this role is responsible for monitoring and coordinating Autonomous Haulage System (AHS) operations to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient performance of the autonomous fleet in support of production objectives. As the central control point for AHS operations, the role oversees fleet performance, responds to system events, and coordinates activities between operations, maintenance, and technology support teams. The position provides frontline troubleshooting and coaching within the control room, distinguishing operational process issues from system-related faults and escalating where required. Additionally, the Senior Mine Controller supports capability development through training, mentoring, and the creation of operational procedures. The role drives safe autonomous operations by ensuring compliance with critical controls, managing interactions between autonomous and manned equipment, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.

This is a permanent full-time role based at our Pilgangoora Operation in the Pilbara region, which operates on an 8:6 FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO in the Pilbara region.

Key responsibilities

System Performance Optimisation

• Monitor autonomous fleet performance in real time, identifying and responding to delays, bottlenecks, and abnormal operating conditions to maximise fleet productivity and minimise downtime.
• Optimise haulage system performance by managing truck assignments, haul routes, dump locations, and equipment interactions to support production targets.
• Analyse operational data, including utilisation, cycle times, intervention rates, and equipment availability
• Coordinate with Mining, Maintenance, Technology, and OEM support teams to resolve system issues, restore performance, and maintain operational control.
• Develop and maintain operational standards that maximise system performance.

Technical Governance

• Ensure compliance with (AHS) operating procedures, site critical controls, and autonomous operating standards.
• Monitoring system health and operational integrity, identifying and escalating software, communications, positioning, or equipment issues that may impact safe autonomous operations.
• Maintain accurate operational records, event logs, interventions, and system performance data to support reporting, investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and operational readiness reviews to ensure the AHS systems remains safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.

Troubleshooting and Incident Response

• Monitor the (AHS) system in real time and proactively identify, investigate, and respond to system alarms, faults, and abnormal operating conditions to minimise operational impact.
• Lead first-response troubleshooting activities for (AHS) fleet interruptions, including communication, positioning, software, equipment, and network –related issues, escalating where required.
• Coordinate safe recovery of (AHS) trucks and operating areas following faults, incidents, emergency stops, or unexpected events, ensuring compliance with site procedures and critical controls.
• Communicate and collaborate with Mining Supervisors, Maintenance, Technology teams, and OEM support personnel to resolve system issues and restore production safely and efficiently.
• Record, investigate, and report operational incidents, system interventions, and recurring faults, contributing to root cause analysis and continuous improvements that improve the system reliability and performance.

Safety Governance

• Ensure autonomous systems operate in accordance with site critical controls.
• Monitor and control access to Autonomous Operating Zones (AOZs), ensuring safe interaction between autonomous equipment, manned mining equipment, and personnel.
• Identify, elevate, and respond to safety-critical events, abnormal operating conditions, and system faults that may impact the safe operation of the (AHS) fleet.
• Support incident investigations, hazard reporting, risk assessments, and corrective action process to improve safety performance and prevent recurrence of events.

About you

• Experience with CAT command for hauling
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic team environment
• Strong commitment to safety and the environment
• C-Class licence
• 4+ years AHS Controller/ Builder experience

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 to support all applicants. 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.

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.