Process Engineer

About Sun Metals

Located just 15km from the heart of Townsville, Sun Metals operates one of the world’s most advanced zinc refineries. We produce Special High Grade Zinc, Zinc Alloy, and valuable by-products for domestic and international markets.

Our mission is to become the best zinc refinery in the world.  This means that we are (1) the safest; (2) the most environmentally responsible; and (3) the most competitive zinc refinery in the world.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Process Engineer to support plant operations and maintenance, ensuring production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and within budget.

Working closely with the Superintendent and operational teams, you will play a key role in optimising plant performance, improving reliability, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimise plant performance and production outcomes through effective process control, monitoring, and data-driven analysis.
• Analyse production data to identify trends, losses, and improvement opportunities; develop KPIs and performance reports.
• Apply Root Cause Analysis and structured problem-solving to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost performance using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
• Support asset reliability, maintenance planning, shutdowns, turnarounds, and major maintenance activities .
• Conduct process risk assessments (HAZOP, JSA), maintain risk registers, and ensure compliance with site, ISO, and Management of Change requirements.
• Develop, review, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and operating procedures.
• Contribute to cost analysis, business case development, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support team coordination, operator training, and capability development across operations.

About You

Qualifications

• Degree in Process Engineering or a related discipline
• RPEQ registration (preferred)

Experience & Capability

• Experience or exposure to processing, mining, or heavy industrial environments, with a developing understanding of plant operations and production systems.
• Working knowledge of process control and automation systems (DCS, PLC, SCADA), with an interest in learning and applying optimisation techniques in a live operating environment.
• Ability to analyse production or process data to identify trends and improvement opportunities, supported by reporting and basic data visualisation tools such as Excel, PI, Power BI, or similar.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills, with experience or interest in Root Cause Analysis and continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Experience supporting maintenance activities, shutdowns, or improvement projects, with an understanding of asset reliability and safe work practices.
• Familiarity with engineering and operational standards, including SOPs, risk assessments (e.g. JSA, HAZOP participation), change management, and quality systems, with support to further develop these skills.

Personal Attributes

• Self‑motivated with a strong desire to build technical capability, take ownership of tasks, and grow as an engineer.
• Demonstrates a safety‑first approach with good hazard awareness and willingness to follow and improve safe systems of work.
• Organised and methodical, with an appreciation for accurate documentation, data integrity, and procedural compliance.
• Works well in a team environment, communicates clearly, and is comfortable engaging with operators, maintenance teams, and engineers at all levels.

About Townsville

Townsville is a vibrant coastal city and the largest in northern Australia, offering a strong and diverse economy across mining, manufacturing, education, healthcare, defence, and more. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, you’ll enjoy easy access to stunning natural attractions including the Great Barrier Reef, lush rainforests, and the Queensland outback. Whether you’re after a relaxed lifestyle or outdoor adventure, Townsville offers the perfect balance for individuals and families alike.