Junior Project Engineer

The Business Patties Food Group is a proud leader in Australia’s food manufacturing industry, known for delivering iconic, high-quality products that bring people together. With a strong commitment to safety, innovation, and integrity, we continue to grow while maintaining the values that make us unique. At Patties, we believe in trusting our teams, taking ownership of our work, showing courage to push boundaries, and always acting with integrity. The Role We are seeking a motivated Graduate / Junior Project Engineer (Automation & Food Safety) to join our dynamic team. Reporting to the Operational Excellence & Capital Projects Manager at our Bairnsdale site, this role offers the opportunity to learn from senior engineers while contributing to meaningful engineering and automation initiatives. This is an ideal role for an early-career engineer looking to build technical capability, gain hands‑on project experience, and develop the soft skills needed to progress into a fully autonomous Project Engineer role. Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To Supporting projects with a safety‑first mindset, ensuring compliance with workplace and food safety requirements. Assisting in planning, coordinating, and monitoring engineering projects from concept through to completion. Learning to work with automation systems (PLCs, SCADA, HMI) and supporting senior engineers in system design and implementation. Assisting with supplier and contractor coordination, site works, and project documentation. Contributing to risk assessments and compliance activities (HACCP, GMP, BRC, environmental standards). Supporting process optimisation initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance product quality. Providing hands‑on support during installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting, with guidance from experienced engineers. Completing other ad hoc tasks as required. The Person We are looking for someone eager to learn, proactive, and excited by the opportunity to grow within a fast‑paced food manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, and bring 0–2 years of engineering experience—exposure to food manufacturing is beneficial but not essential. A strong commitment to Health & Safety is important, along with a willingness to learn key industry compliance frameworks such as HACCP, GMP, and BRC. You will be naturally curious, enthusiastic about automation and manufacturing processes, and motivated by continuous improvement. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, as is an eagerness to develop soft skills through mentorship. A basic grounding in project management, paired with an interest in developing budgeting and forecasting capability, will support your success in this role. Our Benefits At Patties, we take pride in being a values‑driven organisation where our people are at the heart of everything we do. As part of our team, you will enjoy a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture, along with mentorship and structured development opportunities to help you grow. You’ll gain exposure to industry‑leading food safety and automation projects and receive a competitive remuneration and benefits package. Most importantly, you’ll work with a passionate team that lives by the values of Trust, Ownership, Courage, and Integrity. Ready to make the move? Apply today if you’re ready to launch your engineering career in a supportive, growth‑focused environment We are an Equal Opportunity Employer—everyone’s welcome here, and we’re committed to creating a respectful, inclusive place to work. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fee will be paid should a candidate be hired via an agency submission without a valid written recruitment agreement. Such resumes will be considered the sole property of Patties Food Group. #J-18808-Ljbffr