Maintenance Engineering Lead

About Orica

At Orica, it’s the power of our people that leads change and shapes our futures.  Every day, all around the world, our people help mobilise vital resources essential to progress. Established in 1874, we have grown to become the world leader in mining and civil blasting with a diverse of team of more than 13,000 across the world. 

It’s an exciting time to join us – we are shaping the future of mining through digital and automated technologies, embracing new ways of thinking, pioneering innovation and reimagining the way we work.

About the role

We are seeking a Maintenance Engineering Lead to lead the maintenance and asset management strategy of our Aljustrel manufacturing site, Portugal.

Reporting to the Site Manager, this role is accountable for ensuring that site assets are safe, reliable, available and fit for purpose throughout their life cycle, enabling the site to achieve its Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) objectives. The Maintenance Engineering Lead will build a capable maintenance team and drive a strong culture of risk management, investigation, learning and continuous improvement, including the implementation of Lean and Enterprise Excellence Assessment (EEA) practices.

Working in close partnership with the Product Line Manager, SHES, Quality, Supply Chain and Procurement, this role plays a critical part in achieving site performance objectives while developing a high-performing and engaged team.

What you will be doing

• Define and lead the site maintenance and asset management strategy, aligned with site and business objectives.
• Ensure the reliability, integrity and availability of site assets, prioritising critical equipment based on risk and life-cycle performance.
• Lead, develop and engage the maintenance team and coordinate contractors, promoting accountability, operational discipline and continuous improvement.
• Establish and govern maintenance planning, scheduling, shutdowns, SAP PM, master data and work-management KPIs.
• Lead equipment criticality assessments and define an effective critical spares strategy.
• Lead root cause analysis of significant, recurrent or high-risk failures, coach the team in basic investigations and use findings to improve the maintenance plan.
• Develop the maintenance Business Continuity Plan and contribute to the site Business Continuity Plan.
• Lead maintenance risk assessments and the development of technical procedures and standards.
• Plan and control the maintenance budget and prioritise maintenance-related investment needs.
• Coordinate with the Product Line Manager on asset availability, shutdown planning, production priorities and operational risks.
• Lead safety by example, conducting mKCV and JCC audits and SLI safety leadership interactions, and ensuring compliance with Permit to Work, Management of Change (MoC), isolation and contractor safety requirements.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing, EEA, Gemba Walks, 5S, Kaizen initiatives and structured problem-solving methodologies within Maintenance.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to support operational excellence and continuous improvement across the site.

What you will bring

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial Engineering, or another engineering discipline with proven industrial maintenance experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of maintenance experience in mining, petrochemical or explosives industries.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and managing contractors in an industrial setting.
• Solid experience in maintenance strategy, planning and scheduling, shutdowns and maintenance budget management.
• Strong understanding of Safety, Health, Environment and Security (SHES) principles and operational risk management.
• Experience in failure investigation and structured problem solving.
• Fluency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken.

Preferred experience

• Experience in Seveso-regulated or other high-hazard industrial facilities.
• Experience with SAP PM.
• Knowledge of reliability engineering, asset integrity and criticality analysis.
• Training or experience in Process Safety, Management of Change, Root Cause Analysis (A3, 5 Whys, Ishikawa), Kaizen and 5S.

Personal characteristics

• Strong leadership and team development capability.
• Strategic and analytical thinking.
• Continuous improvement and Lean mindset.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and people development skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and influencing abilities.
• High levels of integrity, accountability and professional judgement.
• Courage to stop unsafe work and make balanced, risk-based decisions.
• Ability to build trust, promote collaboration and create a positive team culture.

What we offer

As part of a truly global company, you will have the ability to grow and learn in a diverse, collaborative culture. We foster relationships and learning through connected global and local teams, promote flexible and diverse career paths and support the development of your knowledge and skills. 

You will be paid a competitive salary, learn from talented individuals across multiple disciplines and be able to thrive in a safe workplace within a collaborative culture. Ignite your career at a place where your distinct potential can find its home.

We respect and value all

Orica promotes and fosters a culture of inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment everywhere we operate. We treat our people and applicants with fairness, dignity, and respect, getting the best of everyone’s contributions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, nationality, age, military or veteran, marital or disability status.