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 Mechanical, reporting to the Superintendent Engineering (Mechanical & Civil/Structural). Based in Adelaide, this role provides technical leadership across Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill, supporting one of Australia's largest and most diverse fixed plant asset portfolios.
The Challenge
As Principal Engineer Mechanical, you will be the highest-level mechanical technical authority within Copper SA Engineering. This is a critical leadership role for an experienced engineering professional who thrives on solving complex challenges, influencing strategic decisions, and ensuring the safe and reliable performance of business-critical assets.
You will help shape the technical direction of mechanical engineering across our operations, providing expert guidance on asset integrity, reliability, engineering governance and risk management. Your expertise will support assets where equipment performance is essential to operational continuity and safety, spanning mining, processing, smelting and infrastructure environments.
Working closely with operational, maintenance, project and engineering teams, you will bring a practical and evidence-based approach to decision-making, ensuring engineering solutions deliver long-term value while maintaining alignment with BHP's standards and commitment to safe production.
What You'll Bring to the Role
You are an accomplished mechanical engineering professional with extensive experience in complex industrial environments. You are comfortable providing technical leadership, influencing senior stakeholders, and making decisions grounded in engineering principles, standards and data.
To be successful, you will bring:
- A Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status with Engineers Australia, or eligibility to obtain it.
- Significant experience across mining, minerals processing, smelting, heavy industry or similar operating environments.
- Deep expertise in fixed plant mechanical systems, including conveyors, crushers, mills, pumps, rotating equipment, slurry systems, pressure equipment and bulk materials handling infrastructure.
- Strong knowledge of relevant Australian and international engineering codes and standards, together with sound engineering judgement.
- Demonstrated experience in asset integrity management, inspection programs, fitness-for-service assessments and remaining-life evaluation.
- Proven capability leading complex failure investigations and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Experience developing engineering standards, technical specifications and scopes for maintenance shutdowns and capital projects.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to influence leaders, specialists, project teams and operational stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you will:
- Provide technical leadership and governance for mechanical engineering across Copper SA operations, including Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill.
- Approve engineering designs, technical deviations and fitness-for-service assessments for critical assets.
- Lead the ongoing development and uplift of mechanical engineering standards, specifications and governance frameworks aligned with BHP and industry requirements.
- Drive mechanical asset integrity programs, including criticality assessments, inspection strategies, condition monitoring and remaining-life assessments.
- Lead or provide expert support to major incident investigations and root cause analyses, ensuring lessons learned are translated into effective improvements.
- Provide independent technical assurance of vendor, consultant and project engineering deliverables.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability and Project teams to ensure engineering solutions are practical, sustainable and effectively implemented.
- Mentor and develop engineers across multiple operations while strengthening technical capability across the business.
- Identify, assess and communicate mechanical risks, helping leaders make informed decisions regarding asset performance and reliability.
Work Location
This position is based in Adelaide, South Australia on a Monday to Friday roster with flexible hybrid working arrangements. Regular travel to Olympic Dam, Carrapateena and Prominent Hill will be required, typically for site engagement, technical assessments, shutdowns and critical operational support.
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 Wednesday 14th 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.