Plant Metallurgist

About Us

The world is going electric, and PLS is at the forefront of the charge.

Our collaborative, inclusive culture is a cornerstone of PLS. Humble, down-to-earth and genuinely invested in each other, we are one team united by a common purpose and driven to do great work together.

Being such a fast-moving company in clean energy transition means there is no shortage of challenge or opportunity. Whether it is taking on new projects, developing new skills or stepping into bigger roles, PLS is a place where careers move and where your potential has room to grow.

We're not a big corporate, and we don't want to be. At PLS you own your work, you're backed by people who care about doing a good job, and there's room to innovate and make things happen.

Positioned to be a major force for change, this is a great time to join us as we play a critical role in addressing the global energy crisis. If you want to be part of an organsation that is all about great people shaping the next era of battery minerals, we would love to hear from you.

The future is lithium, make it yours.

What PLS Offers

• Annual or quarterly short-term incentive bonus recognising individual and business performance
• PLS employee share scheme
• Access to newly refurbished facilities at Pilgangoora, including gym, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts, sports oval and scenic walking tracks
• 18 weeks parental leave for primary carers and 4 weeks for secondary carers
• Health and wellbeing allowance
• Novated leasing through salary sacrifice
• Paid community leave
• Monthly employee recognition awards
• Access to PLS’ KidsCo School Holiday Program
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and Company Chaplains

The opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Metallurgist, the Plant Metallurgist is responsible for ensuring concentrate production and associated processing unit operations are controlled in a cost effective and efficient manner as well as ensuring metallurgical performance and improvement initiatives.

This is a permanent position, with a 8/6 roster based at our Pilgangoora Operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate stewardship in health, safety and environmental policies to ensure that site, corporate, and legislative requirements for the operation are met
• Generate and maintain daily and weekly metallurgical production reports to ensure that targets are met and to identify improvements opportunities
• Provide technical knowledge, training, and mentoring for graduate metallurgists, process technicians, metallurgical technicians and other members of the team
• Review and analyse past production performance, compare to budgeted and forecasted specifications and provide suggested improvement options
• Take the necessary actions to ensure that concentrate quality meets contract and target specifications
• Maintain, monitor and identify improvement opportunities of process control systems such as Citect, PowerBI, etc
• Carry out plant surveys and mass balances to maintain and improve plant performance
• Conducted laboratory trials and generated associated test work reports to evaluate production improvement opportunities.

About you

• Degree qualified in Metallurgy or chemical engineering with exposure to similar role
• Prior knowledge and experience in heavy media separation and flotation desirable
• Experience in management & implementation of continuous improvement projects
• Experience and qualification as radiation safety officer desirable
• Proactive in identifying and implementing improvement opportunities
• Desire to take on various responsibilities and work in small teams

Supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce

PLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that values, respects and supports diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our business and help us deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and the future we’re building. We foster an environment where everyone feels safe, included and able to contribute their best. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, equitable and accessible for all.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, all ages, and people of all genders and sexual orientations (LGBTQIA+).

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application process or inform our Careers team if you are contacted for an interview.

Our recruitment process

As part of our recruitment process, a number of checks will be conducted, including police / criminal background checks, medical assessments, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence, right to work checks and reference checks.

We respectfully request agencies not to submit unsolicited resumes.

Acknowledgement of Country

PLS respectfully acknowledges the Nyamal and Kariyarra People of the Pilbara, the Whadjuk Noongar People of the Perth region and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are the Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples of these lands.

We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge their continuing connection and care for the land, water and Country.

If you would like to learn more about PLS or register for future opportunities, please visit