At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and optimisation of manufacturing processes and equipment for various industries.
- Company: Heighton, a leader in specialist design and construction for controlled manufacturing environments.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company vehicle, relocation support, and private health insurance options.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with over 300 successful projects and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape innovative manufacturing solutions and make a real impact in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in process or manufacturing engineering with strong machinery experience.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 180000 $ per year.
You will be Heighton's internal technical authority for manufacturing processes, equipment and operational functionality. Starting with what a client needs to produce, you will help shape the process flow, machinery strategy, factory layout, utility requirements and connections between equipment and the building. You will spend time understanding how each facility operates, from raw-material receipt through production, packaging, storage and dispatch. You will test capacity assumptions, identify bottlenecks and consider how equipment choices affect cleaning, maintenance, safety and future expansion. Your involvement starts during feasibility and concept development and continues through equipment procurement, installation, commissioning and production start-up.
Key responsibilities
- Map manufacturing operations from raw-material receipt through production, packaging, storage and dispatch.
- Establish production rates, equipment capacity, line balance, bottlenecks and future demand.
- Research and compare machinery and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
- Assess equipment performance, reliability, cleanability, maintenance requirements, automation, lead times and whole-of-life cost.
- Develop factory layouts that support efficient production, personnel and material flows.
- Address hygiene zoning, allergen separation, safe access, cleaning, maintenance and future expansion.
- Define equipment requirements for power, water, refrigeration, compressed air, steam, drainage and controls.
- Coordinate equipment loads, supports, penetrations and connection points with the building team.
- Support technical procurement, installation, commissioning, production trials and ramp-up.
- Check that completed facilities meet the agreed process requirements.
About you
- Typically 12 or more years of relevant experience in industrial, process, manufacturing or plant engineering, or capital projects.
- Substantial practical experience with machinery and operating manufacturing facilities.
- Significant food and beverage experience, plus meaningful experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cleanroom or similarly controlled manufacturing.
- Confidence developing process flows, capacity assessments, equipment layouts and utility requirements.
- Experience selecting machinery and working directly with equipment suppliers and OEMs.
- The ability to review process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment drawings, technical data and 3D models.
- A practical understanding of installation, maintenance access, live-site constraints and commissioning.
- An operational mindset, sound commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge unsuitable technical choices.
AU$180,000+ base salary plus Australian superannuation, with scope to negotiate higher for an exceptional candidate. Company vehicle. Growth by Sharing, providing a percentage of business growth under agreed programme terms. Up to AU$20,000 towards relocation costs and six months' rent under agreed arrangements. Private health insurance support may be available where needed and agreed.
About us
Heighton delivers specialist design and construction for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, laboratory, cleanroom and controlled manufacturing environments. Our projects include production and processing areas, cold storage, high-care environments, packaging facilities and supporting spaces. Many involve upgrades within facilities that remain operational during construction. With more than 20 years of experience and over 300 completed projects, we take ownership from early planning and design through approvals, construction, commissioning and handover.
Process & Equipment Engineering Manager in Castlemaine employer: Heighton
Heighton is an exceptional employer that prioritises building genuine relationships within the food manufacturing industry, offering a supportive work culture that values thoughtful communication and collaboration. With opportunities for professional growth and a flexible working environment based in Castlemaine, employees can thrive while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance operational efficiency for clients. The company's commitment to a total-ownership approach ensures that every team member plays a vital role in delivering successful outcomes, making it a rewarding place to develop your career.
