Principal Mechanical Engineer

Overview

We are seeking Expressions of Interest for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the WA Major Projects Engineering team for 8-months, commencing in mid-August 2026 through until mid-April 2027.

This role forms part of the WAMP Engineering Technical Assurance team and will support the WA Major Projects portfolio by providing discipline leadership, targeted technical assurance and risk-informed challenge across mechanical engineering outcomes.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting WAMP Engineering's Owner's Team model, with a focus on safer, faster and cheaper project delivery, fit-for-purpose design outcomes, disciplined technical risk management and practical application of Minimum Viable Solution principles.

About the Role

As Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will act as the Owner's Team mechanical discipline authority and Subject Matter Expert, supporting engineering outcomes that are safe, compliant, fit-for-purpose, operable, risk-informed and value-optimized.

The role is focused on technical assurance, integration and challenge. You will work closely with Project Engineers, Area Engineering Managers, Engineering Service Providers, Operations, Construction, Commissioning and other discipline specialists to ensure mechanical engineering decisions support safe construction, reliable commissioning, efficient operation and long-term asset performance.

Key accountabilities include:

• Provide mechanical engineering leadership and SME input across WAMP projects.
• Execute targeted discipline assurance in line with project Technical Assurance Plans, with effort focused on safety-critical, high-consequence and high-value technical risks.
• Support the development, interpretation and governance of mechanical engineering standards, specifications and design requirements.
• Provide discipline input to key engineering framing documents, including User Requirements, Basis of Design, Engineering Management Plans, scopes of work and assurance plans.
• Challenge over-design, unnecessary complexity and non-value-adding scope through practical application of Minimum Viable Solution and value optimisation principles.
• Support risk-based review of critical mechanical engineering deliverables, design decisions, deviations, concessions, technical queries and assurance findings.
• Identify, escalate and support closure of material mechanical technical risks, ensuring mitigations are technically sound, practicable and traceable in design outputs.
• Support Sustainability in Design, HAZID, HAZOP, constructability, maintainability, commissioning readiness and operational readiness activities.
• Partner with Project Engineering, Technical Assurance, Operations, Quality, Construction, Commissioning and Engineering Service Providers to improve integration and delivery confidence.
• Contribute to continuous improvement improving discipline assurance effectiveness across the portfolio.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring strong mechanical engineering experience, sound technical judgement and the ability to influence outcomes across complex project and stakeholder environments.

You will have:

• A Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant qualification.
• Significant mechanical engineering experience across asset, sustaining capital and or major project environments.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering design, standards, assurance, technical risk and project lifecycle requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in engineering governance, technical assurance, design review, standards application and risk-based decision making.
• Ability to identify what matters most technically and focus assurance effort where consequence, risk and value are highest.
• Experience working with Engineering Service Providers, project teams, operations, construction, commissioning or maintenance stakeholders.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate technical complexity into clear advice, decisions and actions.
• A practical, value-focused mindset, with the confidence to challenge unnecessary complexity while maintaining safety, compliance and technical integrity.

Desirable experience includes:

• Chartered Professional Engineer status, or eligibility for Chartered status with Engineers Australia.
• Site-based experience in BHP WAIO or other bulk materials handling, mineral processing, balance machines, process and non-process infrastructure.
• Experience in commissioning, operational readiness, asset management, maintenance, reliability or construction support.
• Exposure to lean Owner's Team delivery models, EPCM, EPC, Design and Construct, Owner Managed or similar delivery environments.

What You'll Gain

This secondment provides an opportunity to work across the WA Major Projects portfolio.

The successful candidate will gain exposure to:

• Great team culture with a highly experienced team of multidisciplinary principal level peers
• Portfolio-level technical assurance and discipline governance.
• WAMP Engineering's Owner's Team operating model.
• Risk-based assurance and targeted technical challenge.
• Minimum Viable Solution and practical design behaviours.
• Cross-functional collaboration across Projects, Engineering, Operations, Construction and Commissioning.

Who we are

At PERSOL, we connect people to meaningful work and growth.
With decades of experience and a future-focused mindset, we're here to support your career journey. We offer fresh opportunities, trusted guidance, and a people-first approach.

We're committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace that embraces diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
We strongly encourage applications from women, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, and individuals from all communities.

Ready to make your next move? Apply now to join our team.

To learn more about life at PERSOL, visit persolaustralia.com Or follow us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/persolapac for the latest updates and opportunities.

Consultant

Taj.Pozzi@persolkelly.com.au

Reference number: 210390155

Profession:

Mining and Resources

Mining - Eng. & Maintenance

Company: Programmed Skilled Workforce

Date posted: 24th Jul, 2026