Mechanical Maintenance Tradesperson (Metal Fabricator)

About Sun Metals
Located just 15km from the heart of Townsville, Sun Metals operates one of the world’s most advanced zinc refineries. We produce high-quality Special High Grade Zinc and Zinc Alloy, along with valuable by-products including Sulfuric Acid, Copper, Cadmium, and Zinc Ferrite. Our operations span the full refining process—Roasting, Leaching, Purification, Electrolysis, and Casting—with products supplied to both domestic and international markets.

At Sun Metals, our mission is clear: To be the best zinc refinery in the world. For us, that means leading the industry in three key areas:

1. Safety – putting people first every day
2. Environmental Responsibility – protecting the planet as we operate
3. Competitiveness – driving performance, innovation, and value

Overview of position

Maintain, diagnose, repair and replace plant and equipment to maximise ongoing reliability of plant processes through safe and efficient planned, preventive and corrective maintenance practices; Creating, assembling and repairing a wide range of metal products, parts, structures and components by shaping, cutting, marking out, fabricating and permanent welding joining metal parts/components through the application of appropriate techniques.

Key Duties

• Construct, assemble and repair a wide range of metal products, parts, structures and components by shaping, cutting, marking out, fabricating and permanent welding joining metal parts/components using a range of machinery and equipment and through the application of appropriate techniques including welding.
• Apply trade knowledge and skills to ensure that plant and equipment downtime is minimised by participating in fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance inspections and repair work to the quality standard for the task at hand.
• Utilise plasma, gas or electric arc in welding metallic and composite materials together to construct various metal products and structures.
• Oversee the installation of tank linings, valves, lead pipes, and floor.
• Operate manual and semi-automatic welding equipment in vertical, horizontal, or overhead positions.
• Repair structures by dismantling, reshaping, and reassembling metal components using cutting torches and hand tools.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local and international building codes/legal requirements.
• Design patterns and models for a welding project using specifications contained in a blueprint.
• Conduct estimates to determine the amount and cost of materials required for construction.
• Contribute to the optimisation of plant and equipment by carrying out necessary modifications to plant and equipment.
• Contribute to the minimisation of maintenance costs by participating in various team activities and prioritising individual work schedules across the whole range of mechanical maintenance activities.
• Interpret technical manuals and drawings as necessary to be able to carry out the tasks required.
• Record work history and contribute to the continual improvement of maintenance documentation.
• Provide input to the development of maintenance strategies as required.
• Participate in toolbox talks and pre-start meetings. Communicate effectively in a team environment to achieve the goals of the Department.
• Participate in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and 5s implementation, development and maintain standards.
• Promote knowledge sharing to enhance the skills of other Tradespersons.

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Legal Compliance

Conduct work in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.   This includes but is not limited to:

• Relevant legislation including the Work Health & Safety Act, Environmental Protection Act, and Sun Metals’ Environmental Authority complied with;
• Work conducted in accordance with Sun Metals’ procedures and the direction of the supervisor/manager, except where such an action will lead to harm or an environmental incident;
• Full participation in processes of continuous improvement, risk evaluation, awareness and training; and
• All hazards and incidents promptly reported through the supervisor and immediate corrective action taken where appropriate.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Fabrication Trade or Welding or related disciplines, or sufficient hands-on experience that may substitute for formal certification.
• High-skilled welding (GTAW, SMAW, FCAW, SAW).
• High-skilled metal fabrication.
• Math skill for welding project.
• Elevated Work Platform.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of techniques, skills, equipment, procedures and materials within trade discipline.
• Know how equipment in the plant functions and its optimal performance.

Skills and Experience

• Basic diagnostic and analytical ability in working with complex systems.
• Ability to complete multiple tasks with varying levels of priority.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.
• Sound computing skills and use of MS Office.
• Fluent language skills in both in Korean and English are preferred.
• Bilingual ability in Korean and English is a plus but not essential.
• Previous experience in heavy industry.
• Experience with preventative maintenance.
• Experience with polypropylene welding (manual) desirable.
• Experience and competency in all tasks at all levels within the plant area.
• At least one year of relevant experience as a Metal Fabricator or Welder or related role.

Other attributes

• Work to improve the performance of self and others through continuous learning and feedback.
• Exhibit a can do approach and inspire others to excel.
• Works well with others to get the job done and responds positively to instructions and procedures.
• Completes work in a timely and consistent manner as well as works the hours necessary to complete the set tasks.
• Maintain personal punctuality and reliability for work.
• Consistently display the ability to work unsupervised.
• Carry out work using own initiative.

Ready to get started? Apply now and become part of the Sun Metals team.