Mech Project Lead (FEL)

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Front-End Loading (FEL) Project Lead to support the development of surface and underground capital projects at a Tier 1 mining operation.

This is a predominantly hybrid role with periodic site visits to the mine for project scoping, verification, and stakeholder engagement. You will focus on early-stage project development, ensuring projects for the outer years are properly defined, scoped, and ready for execution, including cost, schedule, and risk assessments.

This role is critical to enabling smooth project delivery and supporting the long-term capital program strategy.

Contract & Roster

• Contractor Position

• 12-month+ contractor role (likely 2 years+ capital works programs)

• HYBRID Role: 80% WFH, 8 days on / 6 days off FIFO roster when required

• Direct flights to site from: Cairns, Townsville, Brisbane

• Meals and accommodation provided

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Capital Projects Manager, you will:

• Develop and define capital projects in the early Front-End Loading (FEL) stages for surface and underground works
• Conduct site visits to scope projects, verify conditions, and gather technical input

• Prepare project briefs, concept designs, preliminary scopes, and cost estimates

• Identify risks, assumptions, and constraints in early-stage project planning
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, and project teams to validate feasibility and readiness
• Maintain documentation and planning packages to ensure projects are ready for execution in future years
• Support budget planning and capital forecasting for outer-year projects
• Provide technical input to capital planning and prioritisation processes
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards during project development

About You

You are a proactive engineer with strong capital planning experience and a track record in front-end project development for mining operations.

You will demonstrate:

• 5+ years experience in capital project development, ideally in mining operations

• Exposure to both surface and underground mining projects

• Experience in early-stage project scoping, feasibility, and Front-End Loading processes
• Ability to develop projects from a concept into pre-feasibility and feasibility development inclusive; preliminary scopes, design, cost estimates, project schedules

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and risk identification skills

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication capability

• Ability to work independently in a hybrid environment with periodic site visits

• Knowledge of project management and capital planning tools (SAP, MS Project, or similar)

Tertiary qualifications in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil) are highly desirable.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to influence the long-term capital program of a Tier 1 mining operation by shaping projects before execution. You will play a key role in ensuring surface and underground works are well-prepared, scoped, and ready to deliver value in future years.

If you are a forward-thinking engineer with strong capital planning and FEL experience seeking a hybrid role with periodic site engagement, we welcome your application.