Senior Process Control Engineer

Our Opportunity

Work Location: Port Hedland – Fortescue’s Hedland Operations are located on the traditional lands of the Kariyarra people. 

Roster: 8D/6R - FIFO ex Perth or Residential in Port Hedland

We are seeking an accomplished Senior Process Control Engineer to join our Port Hedland Operations. In this pivotal role, you will provide technical leadership across process control systems, driving continuous improvement, operational reliability, and safety outcomes. You will act as a subject matter expert, mentor developing engineers, and play a key role in the design, integration, commissioning, and optimisation of complex control systems across site operations and projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership to ensure a zero-harm environment through robust control system design, risk identification, and proactive problem resolution.
• Lead the design, development, integration, and optimisation of process control systems, including PLC, SCADA, HMI, drives, and field instrumentation.
• Act as the technical authority for control system standards, architecture, cybersecurity, and lifecycle management.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, projects, and external vendors to deliver fit-for-purpose control solutions that maximise asset availability and performance.
• Oversee and support the commissioning of PLCs, VSDs, instrumentation, networks, and associated field devices.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex control system issues across production-critical assets.
• Support and guide the ongoing maintenance of control system assets, including PLCs, servers, industrial networks, communication systems, and field devices.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and industry standards, including functional safety and cybersecurity requirements.
• Mentor and coach engineers and technicians, contributing to capability development and succession planning.
• Provide technical input into capital projects, shutdowns, and long-term improvement strategies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary qualification in Engineering (Electrical, Mechatronic, Automation, or similar).
• Significant experience in process control or control systems engineering within mining, minerals processing, or heavy industry environments.
• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership on complex operational sites or major projects.
• Advanced proficiency in PLC programming (GE and Schneider preferred), SCADA systems (Cimplicity preferred), and HMI development.
• Strong expertise in control system architecture, system integration, and advanced Profibus/Profinet diagnostics.
• Experience with ABB and Siemens Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of electrical and instrumentation engineering principles for bulk materials handling and process plants, including stackers, reclaimers, shiploaders, and car dumpers.
• High level of computer literacy; experience with SQL or similar data tools is advantageous.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at operational and leadership levels.
• TÜV Functional Safety Certified Engineer (required or strongly preferred).

About Us

Be part of something big. Fortescue is leading the world with our plan to decarbonise our iron ore operations, projects that harness renewable energy and the development of technology that will change our planet forever.

Our Commitment

Fortescue celebrates individual strengths and team members are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. Our global workforce drives and promotes an inclusive culture, both within our organisation and throughout the communities we interact with. Diverse backgrounds include First Nations Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ community, gender, neurodiverse, cultural diversity, all age groups, and those with an intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

https://fortescue.com/careers 

Internal Candidates / Current Contractors please apply via Success Factors Careers Portal. For further information on how to apply please visit the Fortescue Hub. 

Fortescue reserves the right to close applications early should a suitable pool of candidates be identified. Fortescue will never contact you to ask for payment of any kind, whether directly or through a third party.