Systems Senior Technologist

Wilmar Sugar Australia is part of Wilmar International, a leading global agribusiness with around 100,000 employees working across more than 30 countries and regions. Across Australia and New Zealand, we operate two major business units, Sugar & Renewables and Sweeteners, employing 2,400+ people during peak/seasonal operations with corporate offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Townsville, and Auckland. As Australia’s largest raw sugar manufacturer and a top 10 global producer, Wilmar Sugar & Renewables runs eight sugar mills across North Queensland. We are also one of the nation’s largest generators of renewable electricity from biomass, a major producer of bioethanol, the largest sugarcane grower, and a key supplier of sustainable fertiliser and stockfeed.

About the Role

We are seeking a Systems Senior Technologist to join our Production Systems team. Reporting to the Group Manager Production Systems, you will provide technical support for the integration of technology across our operations. The position may be based in the Burdekin, Herbert, or Townsville region and will involve travel to other Wilmar sites as required.

As part of a small, multi-site group, you will develop and support software-based control and technical/operational information systems. You will help ensure the smooth operation of systems that support production activities, including locomotive scheduling, GPS tracking, factory control, weighbridges, operational reporting, and database systems. You will also develop and document software and computer hardware operating standards for production departments. You will provide senior technical advice, support operational and capital projects, and assist in developing less experienced team members and other operational personnel.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical support for Production Systems managed platforms, including SCADA, PLC/DCS, plant networks, operational reporting, process historians, weighbridges, virtualised systems, and related operational technology.
• Develop and improve control and operational information systems; troubleshoot complex issues and provide practical technical advice to operations, engineering, electrical, instrumentation, IT, and project teams.
• Maintain technical documentation, operating standards, software libraries, and reusable control system components.
• Identify and implement improvements in automation, reliability, and operational performance; support the testing and commissioning of operational and capital project changes.
• Contribute to cyber resilience through appropriate access controls, backup and recovery, vulnerability management, and secure change practices.
• Evaluate new technologies and provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced personnel.
• Provide support for production-critical systems during the crushing season, including support outside ordinary working hours where required as part of agreed operational support arrangements.

Requirements

You have a strong passion for systems, backed by tertiary qualifications in engineering, process control, automation, computer science, information technology, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience. You will have at least five years’ relevant experience in process control, automation, operational technology, industrial software, or production systems support.

• Proficiency in software design and application and the ability to interact effectively with a diverse workgroup.
• Experience with a combination of systems commonly used in industrial operations, such as Microsoft Windows, SQL, SCADA, PLC/DCS, process historians, operational databases, plant networks, and virtualised systems.
• Experience in software development or systems integration would also be beneficial.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; a self-starter who demonstrates strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, sound judgement, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple sites and communicate with operational, technical, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in the sugar industry or another heavy industrial environment will be highly regarded.
• Experience in OT cyber security, including access control, vulnerability management, backup and recovery, or incident response in an industrial environment, will also be highly regarded.