Process Control & Automation Engineer

About Kantra

Kantra Copper (ASX:KAN) is a growing ASX-listed Australian copper producer with its heart in South Australia. Kantra Copper has operated since 2005 and completed open-pit mining at Kanmantoo in 2020. In 2023, we commenced development of our underground mine and in 2024 completed our transition to underground copper production.

Our operation is well capitalised with a 3–3.6Mtpa processing plant, with permitted surface infrastructure in place. Kantra Copper is also testing the next suite of high-potential targets. In addition to the Kanmantoo operation, we have a large land holding of granted Exploration Licences across South Australia, which are highly prospective for the discovery of economic copper deposits within a variety of geological settings.

Kantra Copper supplies critical minerals for a sustainable future, backed by long-standing environmental stewardship and strong stakeholder relationships. With a well-understood ore body and proven metallurgy, we deliver stable performance, deep regional know-how, and active participation in South Australia’s mining community.

About the Role

Kantra Copper is seeking an experienced Process Control and Automation Engineer to join our team at the Kanmantoo Copper Mine.

As the operation enters an exciting period of growth and transformation, this newly created role provides the opportunity to take ownership of the next phase of process control and automation improvement across our existing processing plant.

You will identify and deliver improvements across plant control, instrumentation, automation and process optimisation, helping to increase production, reduce process variability, improve plant stability and enhance overall plant performance.

Reporting directly to the Surface Manager, you will work closely with our metallurgy, production, maintenance and reliability teams to develop practical, sustainable solutions and turn improvement opportunities into measurable operational outcomes.

This is a hands-on site-based engineering role with genuine scope to influence how the plant operates, from control strategy and automation through to commissioning, optimisation and ongoing reliability.

The position operates on a nine-day fortnight roster (5:2/4:3) and is a residential role, providing an excellent balance between a rewarding site-based career and lifestyle. Candidates will need to reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Kanmantoo Copper Mine.

Located in the Adelaide Hills, Kanmantoo offers the benefits of a regional setting while remaining conveniently located approximately 55 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, 25 minutes from Mount Barker and 30 minutes from Murray Bridge.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a process control and automation strategy aligned with production, operational excellence, safety and cost objectives.
• Identify, prioritise and implement control-system improvements across the crushing, grinding, flotation, dewatering and associated plant circuits.
• Optimise PLC, SCADA and process-control systems, including control loops, interlocks, alarm management, operator interfaces and automated operating sequences.
• Work closely with metallurgy, production, maintenance and reliability teams to reduce process variability, improve plant stability, reliability and metallurgical performance.
• Lead the selection, implementation and ongoing improvement of online instrumentation, process analysers, plant historians and operational data systems.
• Provide technical leadership for automation projects, including scope development, vendor coordination, commissioning, documentation, operator training and performance verification.

About you

You are a safety-focused and results-driven engineer with a genuine passion for process improvement, automation and operational excellence.

You combine strong technical capability with a practical, hands-on approach and are motivated by turning ideas into improvements that deliver measurable value.

You are proactive, adaptable and comfortable taking ownership of projects from initial concept through to implementation and performance verification. As a strong communicator and collaborative team member, you can build effective working relationships across metallurgy, production, maintenance, reliability and external service providers.

Importantly, you enjoy being close to the operation: understanding how the plant is performing, identifying opportunities and working with the people operating and maintaining it to deliver practical improvements.

To be eligible for this role, you will need

• A degree in electrical, instrumentation, control systems or mechatronic engineering, or an equivalent technical qualification supported by significant relevant industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience in process control, instrumentation and automation within mining, mineral processing or heavy industry.
• Demonstrated experience delivering automation, control-system or capital improvement projects, including contractor/vendor coordination and commissioning.
• Strong working knowledge of PLC, SCADA and/or DCS platforms, together with VSDs, motor controls and industrial instrumentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and root-cause investigation skills.
• Sound knowledge of relevant electrical standards and legislation applicable to industrial environments.
• The ability to work collaboratively with operational and technical teams and translate engineering opportunities into practical plant improvements.

Highly regarded:

• Copper or base-metals processing operations, including crushing, grinding, flotation and tailings.
• Industrial network infrastructure, cybersecurity principles and control-system architecture.
• Capital project delivery and contractor management within an operating processing plant.

Why Kantra?

• Be home every night in a residential site-based role
• Short-Term Incentive Program and Employee Share Plan
• Supportive team culture in a growing South Australian mining business
• Lead the modernisation of the Kanmantoo processing plant through automation and process control initiatives
• Exposure to both operational improvement and capital project delivery
• Agile business where people have visibility, access and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

Kantra is committed to a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace. We value people for their skills, experience and contribution, and for the way they work with others. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability and people from diverse backgrounds. Bullying, harassment and discrimination are not accepted at Kantra. If you require reasonable adjustments during recruitment or employment, please let us know.

To be successful in this role, you will be required to complete a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol screening, and participate in ongoing medical surveillance and routine drug and alcohol testing in line with our Fitness for Work requirements.

Our Values

• Safety - We are committed to a safe and responsible work environment where every person goes home safely. We proactively manage risks, follow best practices, and look out for one another to prevent incidents before they happen.
• Integrity - We do what is right, even when no one is watching. Our operations are built on trust, accountability, and ethical decision-making to ensure long term success for our people, community and stakeholders.
• Delivery - We focus on efficiency, reliability, and innovation to produce copper at the lowest sustainable cost. We take pride in delivering on our commitments and continuously improving our processes.

Apply now

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply now. For more information, contact the HR team at View email address on jobs.swagapp.com

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis until filled.

** Only Residential Candidates Considered