Maintainer Operator

Pilbara Minerals Limited; Washington; On-site; USD 63,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym and sports facilities

Health and wellbeing allowance

Paid community leave

Employee recognition awards

KidsCo School Holiday Program

Employee Assistance Program & Chaplans

Job summary

Pilbara Minerals Limited seeks a Trade-qualified Mechanical Fitter to operate the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant within a fixed-term role tied to a FIFO/DIDO roster from Perth or the Pilbara region. You will monitor process conditions, perform routine maintenance and ensure adherence to safety, QA and HSE standards.

The position involves working across operations, maintenance, and external contractors, with focus on reliability and cost-effective plant performance in remote shifts.

Qualifications

• Trade-qualified Mechanical Fitter with a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Fitter.
• Sound experience in fixed plant operation, start-ups, shutdowns and routine operation.
• Strong commitment to safety and LOTO, PTW and QA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant per procedures and plans.
• Monitor and adjust process conditions to maintain quality and availability.
• Perform routine start-ups, shutdowns, maintenance and inspections.

Skills

Mechanical Fitter

DCS/SCADA

Communication

Safety Mindset

Education

Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Fitter

Tools

PRONTO CMMS

Job description

About PLS

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 organsiation 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

• Access to newly refurbished facilities at Pilgangoora, including gym, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, sports oval and scenic walking tracks
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• 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 Production Supervisor, this role operates the MSDP safely and in accordance with approved procedures, monitors and adjusts process conditions to achieve production targets and quality specifications, and responds promptly to plant, process, and equipment abnormalities.

This is a 12-month maximum term role which operates on a 8:6/7:7 FIFO roster from Perth or DIDO in the Pilbara region.

Key responsibilities

• Safely operate the Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant in line with approved procedures, production plans and operating parameters to support plant availability, process stability and product quality.
• Monitor, control and adjust process conditions across the plant, responding to abnormalities, quality deviations and process upsets to minimise risk, downtime and production loss.
• Perform routine operational tasks including start-ups, shutdowns, isolations, chemical transfers, plant sampling and area inspections, including providing CRO relief cover when required.
• Complete planned, preventative, corrective and breakdown mechanical maintenance activities across fixed plant, including fault finding, inspections, lubrication, adjustments, change-outs and repairs.
• Maintain accurate operational, production, downtime, safety and maintenance records in relevant systems, including raising work requests and completing work orders to a high standard.
• Contribute to a safe, reliable and cost-effective operation by following HSE, PTW, isolation, LOTO, QA and MOC requirements, supporting RCA activities and working collaboratively with operations, maintenance, vendors and contractors.

About you

• Trade-qualified Mechanical Fitter with a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Fitter, current WA C Class Driver’s Licence and full working rights in Australia.
• Strong operational experience in mineral processing, chemical refining or similar fixed plant environments, with sound process awareness across start-ups, shutdowns, isolations and routine plant operation.
• Proven mechanical maintenance capability, including preventative, corrective and breakdown maintenance, fault finding, inspections, lubrication, adjustments, change-outs and basic repairs.
• Strong commitment to safety, with working knowledge of HSE systems, PTW, isolation and LOTO processes, risk management, chemical hazards, process safety and environmental compliance.
• Confident using DCS/SCADA, plant instrumentation and downtime reporting systems, with the ability to accurately record operational and maintenance information; PRONTO CMMS experience will be highly regarded.
• A practical problem-solver with strong communication skills, attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset, able to work collaboratively across operations, maintenance, contractors and vendors in a remote shift-based environment.

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 and in the workplace to support all applicants and employees. 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.

We respectfully request agencies not to submit unsolicited resumes.

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.

If you would like to learn more about PLS or register for future opportunities, please visit www.pls.com.

Advertised: 11 Sep 2026 W. Australia Standard Time
Applications close: 10 Oct 2026 W. Australia Standard Time