Operations Project Engineer | Hydrometallurgy | Relocate - New Zealand

Zethos is based in New Zelaand-based process technology company developing a cleaner way to recover zinc and other critical metals from electric arc furnace dust, a by-product of steelmaking.

The company operates a hydrometallurgical demonstration plant in Christchurch and is developing its first commercial plant in the United States with a major steelmaking partner.

Zethos is now looking for an experienced engineer from India to relocate to Christchurch and help operate, maintain and improve the plant as the technology moves toward commercial scale.

The Role

This is a hands-on Operations Project Engineer position based at Zethos' hydrometallurgical demonstration plant in Christchurch, New Zealand.

You will spend most of your time working directly with the plant, running the process, monitoring performance, troubleshooting equipment, carrying out maintenance and making practical improvements.

The remainder of the role involves delivering the engineering projects that come from that work, including scoping improvements, specifying equipment and taking projects through installation and commissioning.

This is not a primarily office-based project management role. It would suit an experienced engineer who enjoys being close to operating equipment and wants responsibility for both keeping a plant running and improving how it works.

What You Will Be Doing

Plant Operations:

• Run hydrometallurgical processes including leaching, purification and electrowinning
• Monitor plant performance and identify issues early
• Maintain accurate operations logs and sampling routines
• Take samples and ensure operating data is accurate and complete
• Work safely in a plant handling acids and other hazardous materials

Maintenance and Troubleshooting:

• Carry out hands-on maintenance on pumps, valves, piping, filtration systems, tanks and instrumentation
• Diagnose process and equipment problems
• Identify root causes and implement practical solutions
• Plan and coordinate preventive maintenance
• Manage spare parts and contractor work where required
• Be willing to physically investigate and fix equipment yourself

Projects and Engineering:

• Scope, design and deliver plant improvement projects
• Support capital projects from concept through to commissioning
• Prepare designs, drawings and bills of materials
• Specify equipment and components
• Coordinate installation and commissioning
• Manage several competing engineering priorities at the same time

These are the core responsibilities of the Zethos position.

About You:

Zethos is particularly interested in engineers with experience in environments such as:

• Hydrometallurgy
• Zinc or other non-ferrous metals
• Minerals processing
• Mining and metallurgical plants
• Smelting and refining
• Chemical processing
• Heavy industrial process plants

Your background could be in chemical, process, mechanical or electrical engineering, or you may have strong plant operations experience within hydrometallurgy, minerals or mining.

The strongest candidates will likely have around 10 to 20 years of relevant industrial experience. Exceptional candidates with 5 or more years of highly relevant experience will also be considered.

You will likely have:

• Proven hands-on experience in plant operations and maintenance
• Experience with pumps, valves, piping, filtration, tanks, instrumentation or similar process equipment
• Experience troubleshooting industrial plant and process problems
• Practical experience with maintenance and equipment reliability
• Experience delivering plant improvement or capital projects
• A practical field engineering mindset
• The ability to work independently and prioritise your own workload
• The ability to communicate clearly with operators, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders
• A willingness to spend most of your time working directly with an operating plant

Zethos is particularly interested in what you have personally operated, repaired, improved or commissioned.

A bachelor's degree is preferred, but candidates with strong practical experience will also be considered.

Experience with laboratory analysis, quality management systems or production management systems would be an advantage.

Why Consider Zethos

This role offers the opportunity to work directly with an operating hydrometallurgical plant while also contributing to the engineering improvements required as the technology moves toward larger-scale commercial operation.

The team is relatively small, so the successful engineer will have meaningful responsibility for plant performance, maintenance, troubleshooting and engineering improvements.

For someone coming from a larger mining, metals or process organisation, the role offers the opportunity to work across a broader range of technical problems and have a direct influence on how the plant operates.

Relocating to Christchurch, New Zealand

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Christchurch.

Zethos is considering experienced international candidates who are genuinely interested in relocating to New Zealand.

Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. It offers a strong engineering and manufacturing environment, relatively manageable commuting and easy access to the South Island's mountains, beaches, ski fields, hiking and outdoor activities.

Remuneration

Salary: NZD $90-120k per year, depending on experience.

Applying:

Vouch is managing the international search on behalf of Zethos.

Please apply with your CV and include enough detail for us to understand the plants, equipment and processes you have personally worked with.

We are particularly interested in examples of equipment or processes you have:

• Operated
• Maintained
• Repaired
• Troubleshot
• Improved
• Installed or commissioned

Strong candidates may be invited to create a free Vouch profile as part of the application process.

Application Process

1. Apply with your CV.
2. Vouch will review your experience against the Zethos requirements.
3. Strong candidates may be invited to complete a Vouch profile.
4. Selected candidates will progress to discussions with Zethos.