Principal Mechanical Engineer

As Principal Mechanical Engineer with Mineral Technologies, you’ll take a leading role in strengthening mechanical engineering capability while ensuring complex projects and technical solutions are delivered to a consistently high standard.

The role combines technical leadership, people development and hands-on project delivery. You’ll guide and mentor engineers, lead technical decision-making and apply your mineral processing experience to solve complex engineering challenges across the project lifecycle.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will be the Principal Mechanical Engineer, providing technical direction and governance across studies, detailed design and project execution. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, project leaders, clients and industry partners to ensure solutions are technically robust, practical and successfully delivered.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this senior position, you’ll provide leadership across the Mechanical Engineering discipline while remaining closely connected to project and engineering delivery.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Provide technical leadership and direction across the Mechanical Engineering discipline.
• Lead, mentor and develop engineers, strengthening technical capability and encouraging consistent engineering excellence.
• Provide guidance and oversight on complex engineering decisions.
• Lead mechanical engineering outcomes across the project lifecycle, from concept and feasibility studies through detailed design, execution, construction and commissioning.
• Drive the successful delivery of mechanical engineering packages, ensuring technical quality, constructability, safety and project requirements are achieved.
• Provide expertise across mineral processing plants, wet mechanical systems, pumping systems, piping networks and slurry handling infrastructure.
• Lead mechanical equipment selection, technical evaluations, specifications and vendor engagement.
• Drive technical governance, design reviews, engineering standards and quality assurance.
• Work collaboratively across Mechanical, Process, Metallurgical and other engineering disciplines to develop practical, fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Identify and resolve complex engineering challenges that may impact project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with project teams, clients, suppliers and industry partners to achieve successful technical and project outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who brings more than technical expertise.

You’ll be an experienced engineering professional with the ability to lead and influence others, understand the complexities of mineral processing environments and take accountability for delivering high-quality engineering outcomes.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Degree qualifications in Mechanical Engineering.
• RPEQ registration and membership with a recognised professional engineering body.
• More than 10 years' post-graduate engineering experience.
• Significant experience within mineral processing projects, plants or equipment.
• Demonstrated engineering leadership capability, including mentoring, coaching and developing engineers.
• A proven ability to provide technical direction and influence multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
• Strong experience delivering engineering outcomes across the full project lifecycle, including studies, detailed design and project execution.
• Extensive knowledge of wet mechanical and process plant design, including pumping systems, piping networks and slurry handling infrastructure.
• Strong experience in mechanical equipment selection, technical evaluations and vendor management.
• Experience leading technical governance, engineering reviews, design standards and quality assurance.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to confidently work with clients, project teams, suppliers and industry partners.
• The ability to balance technical excellence with safety, constructability, cost, schedule and project delivery requirements.

Experience across mineral sands, iron ore processing, modular plant design, construction and commissioning activities or international project delivery will be highly regarded.

What We Offer

At Mineral Technologies, you’ll join a team with extensive experience across mineral processing, engineering and project delivery, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact at a senior technical level.

In return, we offer:

• The opportunity to lead and influence mechanical engineering capability within a global business.
• Exposure to diverse and challenging mineral processing projects.
• The opportunity to shape engineering standards, technical practices and design outcomes.
• A senior position where you can remain hands-on technically while developing other engineers.
• Genuine opportunities to mentor and support future engineering leaders.
• Collaboration with experienced engineering, metallurgical and project professionals.
• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive team environment.
• Competitive remuneration and employee benefits.
• Ongoing professional development and career growth.

About Mineral Technologies

Mineral Technologies, a subsidiary of Downer, is a global provider of fine mineral processing solutions.

For more than 80 years, we have partnered with mining operations to deliver innovative and cost-effective process solutions across a diverse range of minerals.

Our capabilities span metallurgical testing, equipment manufacturing, engineering and project delivery, with teams across Australia, India, Africa, North America and South America.

How to Apply

If you’re an experienced mechanical engineering leader with strong mineral processing expertise and a track record of delivering complex engineering projects, we’d like to hear from you.

Select Apply Now and submit your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and suitability for the position.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes, fees or costs from recruitment agencies, search firms or third parties. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Downer or its employees will become the property of Downer and Downer will not be liable for any fees or costs associated with such submissions.