Principal, Asset Engineering

The Principal - Asset Engineering, reporting to the Superintendent – Asset Engineering is responsible for the development, maintenance and governance of all mining and earth moving equipment asset strategies and policies within Whitehaven Coal.

In doing so, the Principal role provides subject matter expertise and has accountability for the framework that ensures the effective and efficient management of all mining assets, including equipment, infrastructure, and systems, to maximize operational performance and safety.

The role works closely with the site based maintenance & engineering, and group asset teams by providing subject matter expertise and support on all heavy mobile equipment lifecycle decisions to support site operations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and govern equipment asset management strategies and plans to optimize the lifecycle of mobile mining equipment incl. but not limited to the following:
  • Overall Equipment asset ownership strategy
  • Asset life policy & life extensions (repair, build, dispose)
  • Asset lifecycle modelling and life cycle costing
  • WHC wide fleet level forecasts and plans
• Develop, maintain and govern the equipment standards, specifications and compliance framework to ensure all engineering and asset management activities comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations. 
• Coordinate and lead equipment delivery on site, including compliance with technical standards and OR requirements.
• Undertake periodic asset and component benchmarking exercises to continually drive the lowest fleet total cost of ownership (TCO) and support the sites’ to maximise Operational Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Engage and support the site based and group asset teams in the development of maintenance budgets and CEPs for equipment lifecycle decisions, including directing /undertaking options analysis, total cost of ownership and life cycle costs.
• Mentor others within the business to build a high-performing team of engineers and asset management professionals, including coordination of graduate and vacation engineering students.
• Develop and maintain value add and authentic relationships with site maintenance and engineering teams to improve asset performance and support site improvement initiatives.
• Actively contribute to building WHC’s asset management maturity through leading, implementing and supporting asset systems and engineering initiatives, and discrete bodies of work.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (Bachelor) qualification in Engineering (Mech, Elec, Mining or similar)     OR    Trades qualification with 7+ years site based experience in maintenance / reliability function    OR    Management consulting background combined with mining and asset management experience
• Minimum of five (7) years in the mining / heavy industry or with HME OEM.
• Demonstrated experience in the fields of asset management, reliability engineering, equipment engineering standards and specifications, ZBB & maintenance budgeting and life cycle costing (LCC)
• Working knowledge of SAP and CMMS systems.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose problems and identify potential solutions by thinking outside of the box delivering alternative outcomes.
• Well-developed analytical skills with proven ability to think and act strategically.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation with excellent presentation and reporting skills.
• Advance level proficiencies in Microsoft Office tools such as Excel, Project, PowerPoint and Word.
• Current Unencumbered Queensland “C” Class Drivers Licence.

Preferred

• Working knowledge of Asset life cycle and management practices (incl. TCO, WoL, EAC / EUC)
• Familiarity with the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations, and HME Equipment standards 
• Familiarity with relevant Australian Standards.
• Growth & Challenger mindset