Chief Engineer - Charcoal Production Factory

MatchaTalent; Kota Semarang; On-site; IDR 600,000,000 - 900,000,000; Full time

Job summary

MatchaTalent is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead and optimize the charcoal briquette factory's engineering and maintenance efforts in Central Java. You will supervise engineers and technicians, drive preventive maintenance, and ensure safe, efficient operations aligned with production goals.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong PLC and automation skills, and a commitment to safety and energy efficiency across facilities.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years in engineering with at least 3 years in leadership in manufacturing or automation.
• Proven track record in managing engineers and technicians in factory settings.
• Strong knowledge of automation systems, PLCs, and industrial control panels.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily factory operations, plan preventive and corrective maintenance, and troubleshoot issues.
• Oversee machinery, utilities, and production infrastructure for reliability and efficiency.
• Mentor engineers and technicians, allocate tasks, and promote safety and continuous improvement.
• Support installation and commissioning of new machinery; drive improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards; conduct risk assessments.
• Collaborate with senior management to align engineering with production targets.

Skills

Automation systems

Industrial control panels

PLC programming

3-phase power systems

Electronics

Maintenance software

CAD

Production machinery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering

PE certification preferred

Automation or electrical safety certifications a plus

Tools

SCADA

Job description

This role requires the candidate to work in Karanganyar, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia.

Client Overview:

The company is a foreign-owned charcoal briquette factory with extensive experience in the industry, operating a production facility in Central Java and serving both domestic and international markets. The factory specializes in producing premium-grade coconut shell charcoal briquettes, combining natural resources with advanced production expertise. Its supply chain supports the full production cycle, from sourcing raw materials to final delivery.

The business primarily serves B2B clients across consumer goods, industrial products, and export sectors, ensuring consistent quality at scale. With strong engineering leadership, the company focuses on maintaining high production standards, continuous improvement in equipment reliability, energy efficiency, and adherence to safety regulations to achieve world-class operational performance.

Job Role:

The Chief Engineer oversees all technical operations of the charcoal briquette factory, managing preventive and corrective maintenance, utilities, and production infrastructure. The role combines hands‑on supervision with leadership, guiding engineers and technicians while troubleshooting equipment issues and implementing maintenance schedules.

Additionally, the Chief Engineer ensures compliance with safety standards and energy efficiency measures, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and introduces best practices to enhance equipment reliability and minimize downtime. The role works closely with senior management to align engineering functions with production targets and strategic business goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engineering & Maintenance: Lead daily factory operations, plan and execute preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshoot technical issues to reduce downtime.
• Equipment & Infrastructure: Oversee machinery and utilities, ensure reliability and efficiency, implement improvements to extend equipment life.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor engineers and technicians, allocate tasks, monitor performance, and promote safety and continuous improvement.
• Project Implementation: Support installation, testing, and commissioning of new machinery; lead technical aspects of improvement or expansion projects.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensure adherence to occupational health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards; conduct risk assessments.
• Process Improvement & Innovation: Introduce systems and best practices to optimize operations, energy use, and maintenance costs.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate with senior management and other departments; prepare performance and improvement reports.

Candidate Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering; PE certification preferred; automation or electrical safety certifications a plus.
• Experience: 5–7 years in engineering with at least 3 years in leadership roles in manufacturing or automation systems; proven team management in factories.
• Technical Expertise: Skilled in automation systems, industrial control panels, PLC programming, 3-phase power systems, electronics; familiar with maintenance software, CAD, and production machinery.
• Mobility: Willing to travel between plants and attend conferences.
• Language: Proficient in English (spoken and written).

Job Code:#430