Technical Lead (Composites Engineering & Product Development)

Technical Lead (Composites Engineering & Product Development)

Location: Lima, Peru (Cercado de Lima Plant) Reporting to: Site Manager Direct Reports: Product Designer, Assistant Product Designers (2), Estimators (2)

About Bradken

Bradken is a global leader in innovative wear solutions and custom-engineered products for the resources sector. For our more than 3,000 people, that global reach creates opportunities to share expertise, solve meaningful challenges and grow through new experiences. Together, we help the resources sector sustainably advance society.

About the Role

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced engineering professional who combines deep technical expertise with the ability to drive innovation, influence stakeholders, and develop high-performing teams.

As the Technical Lead, Composites Engineering & Product Development, you will serve as the technical authority for Bradken's Lima composites operation, leading product design, manufacturing optimisation, cost estimation strategy, technical innovation, and knowledge transfer initiatives across the global business.

This role is critical to preserving and advancing Bradken's composite wear technology capability. You will work closely with teams across Peru, Canada, India, and Australia, partnering with manufacturing, engineering, commercial, and operational leaders to develop new products, optimise processes, support strategic growth projects, and strengthen Bradken's technical position in the market.

We are seeking a hands-on technical leader who can bring proven expertise from mining wear products, rubber composites, mineral processing equipment, liners, engineered rubber products, or similar heavy industrial manufacturing environments.

Please Note:

Professional working proficiency in both English and Spanish is essential. The successful candidate will regularly engage with global engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams across multiple regions. Candidates should be comfortable participating in technical discussions, presentations, and problem-solving sessions in English.

Applications must be submitted in English, and candidates will be assessed on their ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish throughout the recruitment process.

In This Role, You Will

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Lead the technical function for Bradken's composites operation, ensuring products meet customer requirements, engineering standards, manufacturing capabilities, and commercial objectives.
• Drive product development, design validation, technical reviews, manufacturability assessments, and continuous product improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with regional and global engineering teams to support composite product development and deployment across Bradken operations.
• Lead technical investigations, root cause analysis, and complex problem-solving activities affecting product performance, quality, manufacturing efficiency, or customer outcomes.
• Identify and implement new technologies, materials, processes, and engineering solutions that improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness.
• Support technical engagement with key mining customers, helping to understand operational challenges and develop fit-for-purpose solutions.

Manufacturing Excellence & Innovation

• Partner closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to optimise manufacturing processes and improve operational performance.
• Evaluate new manufacturing methods, technologies, materials, and equipment to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure product designs are aligned with manufacturing capabilities and support efficient production outcomes.
• Support process standardisation, knowledge transfer, and best-practice implementation across global operations.
• Contribute technical expertise to strategic CAPEX and site expansion projects.

Costing, Estimation & Commercial Support

• Provide technical leadership to the estimation function, ensuring accurate costing methodologies, manufacturing assumptions, and lead-time assessments.
• Support quotation development through technical reviews, risk assessment, material selection, and production planning considerations.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives while maintaining product performance, quality, and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to strengthen Bradken's value proposition and competitive position.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of product design and estimation professionals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.
• Support knowledge retention and technical capability growth across the business.
• Build strong relationships across engineering, operations, sales, supply chain, and customer groups globally.

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Bachelor's degree or Technical Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience within mining, mineral processing, rubber, composites, wear products, heavy manufacturing, industrial engineering, or similar technical environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical, engineering, design, or manufacturing teams.
• Proven expertise in product development, engineering design, manufacturing processes, and technical problem solving.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, specifications, CAD models, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing environments and process optimisation methodologies.
• Experience supporting customers through technical solutions, product performance improvements, or engineering consulting.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish.

Highly Desirable

• Direct experience with:

• Mining wear products
• Mill liners
• Rubber products
• Composite wear solutions
• Mineral processing equipment
• Engineered industrial products
• Experience working for leading organisations within mining consumables, wear solutions, process plant equipment, rubber manufacturing, or related sectors.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence certification.
• Master's degree in Engineering, Technology Management, or Business Management.
• Experience supporting global operations and cross-regional technical teams.

Success in This Role

The successful candidate will be recognised as a trusted technical leader who can:

• Bring deep technical expertise and credibility to the business.
• Accelerate innovation and process improvement.
• Mentor and develop technical talent.
• Strengthen knowledge transfer across global operations.
• Improve manufacturing efficiency and cost competitiveness.
• Support growth through new products, new technologies, and customer-focused solutions.
• Build strong partnerships across engineering, operations, commercial teams, and customers.

Work Environment

This is an onsite leadership role based at Bradken's Lima manufacturing operation.

Occasional domestic or international travel may be required to support:

• Customer visits
• Technical reviews
• Manufacturing collaborations
• Knowledge transfer initiatives
• Global engineering projects
• Operational improvement programs

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Peru. Bradken is unable to provide visa or work permit sponsorship for this position.

Why Join Bradken?

At Bradken, you'll do work that matters. Whatever your role, your contribution helps solve real challenges for our customers and supports safer, more efficient and more sustainable resource operations.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of Bradken's composites technology capability while collaborating with engineering and operational leaders across multiple regions.

You'll join a company that values technical excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and collaboration, while providing opportunities to build a truly global career.

We Offer

• A safety-first culture
• Annual Salary Bonus
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Global career opportunities
• Exposure to international engineering and manufacturing teams
• Learning and development opportunities
• Educational Reimbursement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program for you and your family (Private Psychology service available 24/7 covered 100%)
• Inclusive and collaborative work environment
• Opportunity to contribute to strategic growth and transformation initiatives

Our Hiring Process

As part of our selection process, we may invite you to complete a one-way video screening at a time that works for you. This helps us provide a fair and consistent experience when working across locations and time zones. If you require an adjustment or alternative format at any stage, please let us know.

Before commencing employment, you will be required to complete a psychometric assessment and a pre-employment medical, including drug and alcohol testing.

We respectfully request no recruitment agency approaches.

Bradken is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, engaging and flexible environment for our people. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.