Discipline Manager - SMP Design Drafting

Who Are We

Mineral Technologies, a Downer company, is a global leader in mineral processing solutions. For more than 80 years we have helped mining companies transform valuable mineral resources into products that support modern life. From mineral sands and lithium to industrial minerals and rare earths, our technologies and project delivery teams are at the forefront of developing efficient, sustainable processing solutions.

Our Engineering & Projects team delivers the design, engineering and execution of mineral processing plants and modular process plants for clients across Australia and internationally. Based on the Gold Coast, this role combines genuine discipline leadership with hands-on involvement in complex projects for global clients.

What You’ll Do

As Discipline Manager – SMP Design & Drafting, you will have a critical leadership role in shaping the capability, performance and growth of our SMP design function. You will lead a team of talented designers and drafters, influence digital engineering practices, and support the successful delivery of mineral processing projects across Australia and internationally.

Team Leadership & Discipline Management

• Lead and manage the SMP Design & Drafting team, including performance management, coaching, succession planning and career development
• Plan and coordinate discipline resources across active and upcoming projects to ensure effective utilisation and delivery
• Demonstrated experience managing utilisation, forecasting resource demand and balancing workloads across multiple concurrent jobs
• Build a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement
• Drive workforce planning and recruitment as the team grows

Project Design Delivery

• Act as Lead or Principal Designer on complex modular mineral processing plant projects
• Review and oversee 2D and 3D design deliverables for quality, consistency and compliance with project and company standards
• Collaborate with engineering, project delivery and client teams to develop practical, constructable design solutions

Subcontractor Network

• Build and manage relationships with external service providers to extend delivery capacity
• Set and enforce quality, delivery and standards expectations for outsourced design work

Systems & Digital Engineering

• Support the continuous improvement of drafting and modelling standards, templates and workflows
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of digital design tools and practices (Plant 3D, Advanced Steel, AutoCAD)

What We Offer

This is a rare opportunity to step into a discipline leadership role where you can influence people, projects and systems. As Discipline Manager – SMP Design & Drafting, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of our design capability, driving continuous improvement in digital engineering practices, and supporting the successful delivery of mineral processing projects across Australia and internationally. 

In return, you'll be offered:

• Lead and develop a highly skilled SMP Design & Drafting team. 
• Influence digital engineering initiatives, standards and systems. 
• Work on complex mineral processing projects for clients across Australia and internationally. 
• Career development opportunities supported by Mineral Technologies and Downer. 
• Competitive remuneration and access to health, wellbeing and employee benefits.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking an experienced design leader with a strong SMP design background and a passion for developing people, improving systems and delivering complex project outcomes. You will be equally comfortable leading a technical team, supporting project delivery and driving continuous improvement across the discipline.

You will bring a balance of leadership, project delivery experience and technical expertise gained within mining, minerals processing or heavy industrial environments.

Leadership & Team Development

• Minimum 10 years' experience in mining, minerals processing or heavy industrial design, including formal team leadership

• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring and developing design teams within an engineering or project delivery environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, including performance management, coaching, succession planning and capability development.
• Proven ability to manage discipline resources and balance competing project priorities across a diverse portfolio of work.

Project Delivery & Technical Expertise

• Proven experience acting as Lead or Principal Designer on complex, multidisciplinary modular processing plant projects
• Strong background in structural steel, mechanical layout and piping design for process facilities
• Trade qualification, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in drafting, design or a related field (a formal engineering degree is not required)
• Advanced practical experience using Plant 3D, Advanced Steel and AutoCAD

Subcontractor & Vendor Management

• Experience building, coordinating and managing external design consultants or subcontractors

• Ability to set and enforce delivery, quality and standards expectations for outsourced design work

• Comfortable owning subcontractor relationships as a core, ongoing responsibility

   

Systems & Digital Engineering

• Working knowledge of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) project environments

• Exposure to alternative platforms such as Tekla, E3D, Revit or Hexagon desirable

• Ability to contribute to and support continuous improvement of drafting standards, templates and workflows

Commercial & Stakeholder Skills

• Experience supporting project estimates, proposals, planning and scope development

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, engaging project teams, managers, clients and suppliers

How to Apply
Click “Apply” to submit your application. We look forward to hearing from you!

Please note: Downer does not accept unsolicited resumes or fees from recruitment agencies.