Systems Senior Technologist

Wilmar Sugar; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilmar Sugar Australia seeks a Systems Senior Technologist to join our Production Systems team across North Queensland. You will provide technical support for the integration of technology and ensure reliable operation of SCADA, PLC/DCS and related systems.

Reporting to the Group Manager Production Systems, you will develop and document operating standards, mentor staff, and contribute to capital projects while traveling to multiple Wilmar sites as required.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent practical experience in engineering/automation/IT.
• At least five years in process control, automation or production systems support.
• Experience with industrial software and OT networks is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical support for Production Systems platforms including SCADA, PLC/DCS and plant networks.
• Develop and improve control and operational information systems and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Maintain technical documentation, operating standards and reusable components.
• Identify improvements in automation, reliability and performance for operations.
• Support cyber resilience through access controls, backups and secure change practices.
• Mentor less experienced colleagues and provide guidance across multiple sites.
• Offer after-hours support during peak production periods as needed.

Skills

SCADA

PLC/DCS

Plant networks

SQL

Windows

Process historians

Operational databases

Virtualised systems

Software development

Systems integration

Education

Engineering/Process control/Automation/CS/IT degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Windows

SQL

SCADA

PLC/DCS

Job description

Burdekin, Herbert or Townsville regions considered

About Us

Wilmar Sugar Australia is part of Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness with around 100,000 employees working across more than 30 countries and regions.

Across Australia and New Zealand, we operate two major business units, Sugar & Renewables and Sweeteners, employing 2,400+ people during peak/ seasonal operations with corporate offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville and Auckland.

As Australia’s largest raw sugar manufacturer and a top 10 global producer, Wilmar Sugar & Renewables runs eight sugar mills across North Queensland. We are also one of the nation’s largest generators of renewable electricity from biomass, a major producer of bioethanol, the largest sugarcane grower, and a key supplier of sustainable fertiliser and stockfeed.

About the role

We are seeking a Systems Senior Technologist to join our Production Systems team. Reporting to the Group Manager Production Systems, you will provide technical support for the integration of technology across our operations.

The position may be based in the Burdekin, Herbert or Townsville region and will involve travel to other Wilmar sites as required.

As part of a small, multi-site group, you will develop and support software-based control and technical/operational information systems. You will help ensure the smooth operation of systems that support production activities, including locomotive scheduling, GPS tracking, factory control, weighbridges, operational reporting and database systems. You will also develop and document software and computer hardware operating standards for production departments.

You will provide senior technical advice, support operational and capital projects, and assist in developing less experienced team members and other operational personnel.

Role responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide senior technical support for Production Systems managed platforms, including SCADA, PLC/DCS, plant networks, operational reporting, process historians, weighbridges, virtualised systems and related operational technology.
• Develop and improve control and operational information systems; troubleshoot complex issues and provide practical technical advice to operations, engineering, electrical, instrumentation, IT and project teams.
• Maintain technical documentation, operating standards, software libraries and reusable control system components.
• Identify and implement improvements in automation, reliability and operational performance; support the testing and commissioning of operational and capital project changes.
• Contribute to cyber resilience through appropriate access controls, backup and recovery, vulnerability management and secure change practices.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced personnel.
• Provide support for production-critical systems during the crushing season, including support outside ordinary working hours where required as part of agreed operational support arrangements.

About You

You have a strong passion for systems, backed by tertiary qualifications in engineering, process control, automation, computer science, information technology or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. You will have at least five years’ relevant experience in process control, automation, operational technology, industrial software or production systems support.

You exhibit proficiency in software design and application and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse workgroup. You should have experience with a combination of systems commonly used in industrial operations, such as Microsoft Windows, SQL, SCADA, PLC/DCS, process historians, operational databases, plant networks and virtualised systems. Experience in software development or systems integration would also be beneficial. We do not expect applicants to have experience with every technology used across our operations.

In conjunction with your excellent communication and interpersonal skills, you are a self-starter who demonstrates strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, sound judgement and attention to detail. You can work effectively across multiple sites and communicate with operational, technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Experience in the sugar industry or another heavy industrial environment will be highly regarded.

Experience in OT cyber security, including access control, vulnerability management, backup and recovery or incident response in an industrial environment, will also be highly regarded.

Recruitment Process

Applications are assessed independently and on their individual merits against the requirements of the advertised role.

As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be required to –

• Complete interviews, assessments, reference checks and verification of qualifications, licences and work rights.
• Successful candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete any role-specific pre-employment checks, which may include a pre-employment medical assessment (including drug and alcohol screening).
• A National Police Check and other compliance requirements.

Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the job ads expiry, please consider your application unsuccessful.

We encourage you to apply for future opportunities with Wilmar that align with your skills and experience.

Wilmar Sugar & Renewables is an Equal Opportunity Employer.