Capital Engineer

Who are we?

Lyka is an Australian founded pet wellness company that’s shaking up an outdated industry and paving the way for happier, healthier pets. Despite medical advancements, animal lifespans are on the decline. Today, the average pet only reaches 37% of their full potential lifespan and statistics have shown us that many suffer from dental disease, cancer, and obesity. Simply put, the status quo is not enough.

As humans, we’ve experienced firsthand the positive impact fresh wholefoods can have on our health and wellbeing, and we believe our furry friends deserve the same. We're on a mission to do just that, starting with nutritionally balanced, wholefood meals delivered direct to doors around Australia. As the world’s most sustainable pet wellness company, we’re putting pets and our planet first - one bowl at a time.

Today, we are proud to share we’ve served over 100 million meals to puppers and their parents across Australia, and this is just the beginning. Our vision is to create multiple nutritional products, adding disease prevention meals and supplements, and expand into new markets.

Currently, we have a team of 250+ pet-obsessed people, and we're continuing to grow (yes, looking at you!). These carefully selected people are dedicated to building the next generation of technology and products to help empower pet parents to take control over their pet’s wellbeing.

Our Mission

The time we share with our pets is being cut short. Despite medical advancements, they’re getting sicker earlier. They’re dying prematurely. The industry has it backwards - prioritising treating symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. That’s where we come in.

At Lyka, we take a preventative, holistic and personalised approach to pet care. We look at the full picture, factoring in the diet, lifestyle and environment of each individual animal.

We don’t stop at symptoms, instead we dig for the root cause. We create nutrition plans unique to each pet, because it’s not just about living longer, but living well too.

Our mission is to increase the lifespan of dogs and cats.

What you'll do:

• The Capital Engineer plays a key delivery role within the Capital & Operational Engineering team, supporting the execution of capital and non-capital projects across Lyka’s operations.
• The role supports the consistent application of site and network engineering practices aligned with Lyka standards, contributing to the scalability and reliability of operations.
• Supports and delivers approved Capital and non-Capital projects across the network, under established governance and frameworks.
• Contributes to the establishment, effectiveness, and continual improvement of Lyka’s Food Safety Management System, ensuring compliance with FSSC 22000 and PrimeSafe requirements within the Capital Engineering portfolio, including manufacturing, warehouse, fulfilment, asset care, and logistics.
• Operates as a hands-on project engineer, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and contractors to ensure safe, compliant, and effective project delivery.
• Delivers CAPEX projects and initiatives that improve Gross Margin (labour efficiency, yield, utilities, and other cost drivers) while supporting Safety, Quality, Environmental, and Food Safety outcomes within manufacturing and operational facilities.
• Acts as a key point of contact with suppliers and contractors during project planning, scheduling, installation, commissioning, and operational handover.
• Contributes to the execution of Lyka’s Capital Engineering Roadmap, supporting both tactical improvements and larger strategic programs led by senior engineers.
• Builds effective working relationships with a defined group of contractors, OEMs, and suppliers, utilising them as subject matter experts where required.
• Works collaboratively with stakeholders from concept development through business case approval, execution, and handover to the relevant operational owner.
• Supports Lean and continuous improvement initiatives, providing engineering input and implementing agreed solutions within operations.

Supports and manages defined elements of the end-to-end CAPEX process, including:

• Development and execution of URS (User Requirement Specifications)
• Tendering support and contractor coordination
• Cost tracking and schedule management
• Risk identification, issue escalation, and mitigation actions

Supports the adoption and ongoing use of FSSC 22000 standards across Operations by:

• Applying project management discipline
• Supporting RCA and CAPA activities related to capital projects
• Ensuring engineering documentation, standard work, and risk controls are created and maintained

Ensures all assigned CAPEX projects comply with:

• Legislative and regulatory requirements
• Industry best practice
• Lyka’s engineering, safety, quality, and food standards

Requirements

• Tertiary qualified in business, engineering, or other suitable discipline.
• Strong experience in manufacturing project management
• Strong attention to detail and tidy work habits.
• Experience with the implementation of ISO Quality Systems, HACCP, GFI, WHS, and GMP environments with FSSC 22000 operating environments highly preferred
• Ability to follow written work instructions.
• A high level of commitment and passion, particularly with regards to human safety, food safety, the environment, and customer service
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively with internal and external clients, including but not limited to building relationships with senior supplier, customer, authoritative, and regulatory stakeholders, gaining maximum value for Lyka whilst not adversely impacting the long term good of the business or relationship.
• Assist in the creation of a robust culture within the pack.
• Strong operational IT skills.
• Must have had hands-on experience in a similar role
• Mechanical minded/ basic machine troubleshooting
• FMCG experience, with quality-focus minded.
• Must be working among the team, not afraid of working hands-on.
• Experience implementing and actively encouraging LEAN methodologies site-wide to reduce risk, waste, and increase efficiencies.
• Processing, packing and mechanical experience.
• The proven ability to effectively engage with all stakeholders throughout the business from upper management to the factory floor.
• In depth understanding of quality control procedures and relevant standards
• Strong proficiency of the Microsoft Office suite and ability to learn other systems.

Benefits

• Work in a fast-growing start-up, experiencing what goes behind the scenes to sustain hyper-growth for a start-up with a physical product!
• Growth and Development - Lyka is growing extremely quickly, which means you will have the opportunity to experience different challenges every day and progressively acquire more responsibilities as our facility and team expands. We provide an annual budget for you to continue your personal development.
• Work for a sustainability focused company - we care about the health of our pets and our planet. We’re proud to be Australia’s only carbon-negative and plastic-negative pet company and we’re always looking at ways for us improve sustainability practices.
• Be part of a diverse top talent team, coming from widely different backgrounds and geographies.
• Up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave top-up.
• Wellbeing assistance and tools to take care of your mental and physical wellbeing so you can do your best work.
• Pupper parent support to care for your furry friends - flexible arrangements for new pets, pet-friendly offices, discounts, and financial allowance for dog training & care to help them live their best life.

We are committed to building inclusive and diverse teams

Lyka is an equal opportunity employer devoted to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate diversity, are devoted to creating an inclusive environment for all staff and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application.