About Copper SA Operations at BHP

BHP is a global resources company operating across more than 90 locations worldwide, with a purpose to improve lives and support a more sustainable future. Through Copper South Australia (Copper SA), we are building a leading copper portfolio that supports the global energy transition, supplying materials essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and digital infrastructure. For you, this is an exciting opportunity to grow your career, make a meaningful impact, and help shape the future of one of Australia's leading copper businesses.

We currently have a vacancy for a Principal Engineer Fire Systems, reporting to the Superintendent Engineering Mechanical & Civil/Structural.

The Challenge Ahead

As Principal Engineer Fire Systems, you will be the technical authority for fire detection, protection and suppression systems across Copper South Australia, supporting Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill operations. You will play a key role in safeguarding people, assets and operations by shaping how fire risk is understood, managed and controlled across a large and complex mining and processing portfolio.

This is an opportunity to influence critical business decisions through expert engineering leadership, risk management and technical governance. You will provide evidence-based advice on fire-system performance, compliance, asset integrity and life-safety risks while helping ensure critical controls remain effective and aligned with operational and investment priorities.

Working closely with operational, maintenance, reliability, project and risk teams, you will help drive consistency, assurance and continuous improvement across fire engineering systems and standards. You will also contribute to major projects, system audits, investigations, governance activities and asset lifecycle decisions that support safe and reliable operations.

What You'll Bring to the Role

You are an experienced engineering professional with deep expertise in fire systems, fire safety engineering or a related discipline. You combine strong technical judgement with the ability to communicate complex risks and recommendations clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A Bachelor's degree in Fire Safety Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Chartered Professional Engineer status with Engineers Australia.
• Extensive experience in mining, mineral processing, smelting, heavy industry, major-hazard facilities or similarly complex operating environments.
• Strong practical knowledge of fire detection, protection and suppression systems gained through operations, design, consulting or engineering environments.
• Experience assessing system condition, performance, impairments, defects, obsolescence and lifecycle requirements.
• Experience developing or reviewing fire-risk assessments, fire strategies, hydraulic calculations and design documentation.
• Working knowledge of relevant Australian and international fire-system standards, codes and statutory requirements.
• Proven capability in technical auditing, assurance, governance reviews and incident investigations.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence leaders, project teams, contractors, consultants and technical specialists.
• Confidence to challenge decisions and provide independent technical advice where fire risks are not adequately controlled.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Act as the Fire Systems Technical Authority across Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill operations.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, operation, testing, maintenance and performance of fire detection, protection and suppression systems.
• Own and continuously improve Copper SA fire engineering standards, specifications and technical governance practices.
• Support management of material fire risks through effective critical controls, performance standards and verification activities.
• Define asset integrity requirements including inspection, testing, condition assessment, defect management and lifecycle replacement strategies.
• Lead audits, governance reviews and assurance activities to verify compliance with BHP requirements, statutory obligations and technical standards.
• Provide independent technical assurance on fire-system designs, risk assessments, engineering studies and project deliverables.
• Support incident investigations, management-of-change activities, safety-in-design reviews and project assurance processes.
• Partner with operational and technical teams to ensure engineering decisions are effectively implemented and sustained in the field.

Work Location

This role is based in Adelaide, South Australia, working a Monday to Friday roster with flexible hybrid working arrangements available. Regular travel to Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill is required, with additional site attendance as needed during critical assessments, shutdowns, commissioning activities or significant risk events.

Why You'll Love Working Here

At BHP, you'll do meaningful work in an environment that supports you to perform at your best; on site and at home. That's why our benefits are designed to support your health, your growth, and your personal balance:

• Grow your career your way, with opportunities to develop and move across BHP
• Be rewarded with competitive pay, performance bonuses and our BHP employee share plan
• Work in an inclusive team where people support each other every day
• Enjoy flexibility and family-friendly options that help you balance work and life
• Access wellbeing support, including 24/7 confidential assistance for you and your family
• Build your future with benefits like paid parental leave, recognition programs, etc.

And so much more!

Applications close 5pm Monday 12th October 2026.

About Our Process

At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are several checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants’ suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.

We Support a Diverse Workforce

At BHP, we believe diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace where everyone is treated fairly and can thrive. Our workforce reflects the communities where we operate, and we value all aspects of identity; gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education, and more.

We ensure that our recruitment process is fair, accessible, and equitable. If you have a disability and need adjustments, please contact us at inclusion@bhp.com.