Principle Pass Design and Process Engineer

Pacific Steel, a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueScope, is New Zealand’s only manufacturer of wire rod, reinforcing bar and coil products. You may know us for our flagship PACIFIC® brand or WIREMARK® branded fencing wire, trusted by New Zealand’s fencing industry for over 50 years.

About the role

Reporting to the Technical Superintendent, the Principal Pass Design and Process Engineer are the technical authority for pass design, mill setup and process control. This role is responsible for optimising rolling performance, improving product quality and yield, and ensuring efficient, reliable manufacturing processes through world-class pass design and rolling practices.

Working closely with Operations, Maintenance and Technical teams, you will lead process improvements, provide technical expertise, and drive innovative solutions that enhance operational performance and support the future capability of the Rolling Mill.

Key responsibilities include:

• Owning the pass design and pass progression for all Rolling Mill products.
• Designing and optimising roll layouts, pass schedules, tackle arrangements and mill setup standards.
• Developing pass designs for new products and contingency rolling solutions to support production continuity.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to improve mill efficiency, product quality, yield and process stability.
• Leading troubleshooting activities and root cause investigations relating to rolling performance and product quality.
• Optimising rolling process control, mill trial procedures, stock control standards and rolling speed settings.
• Maintaining accurate technical drawings, calculations and engineering documentation.
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring to engineering and operational teams while supporting the implementation of process improvements on the shop floor.

About you

You are a highly experienced rolling mill engineer with specialist expertise in pass design and rolling process optimisation. You enjoy solving complex technical challenges and have a passion for continuous improvement, collaboration and delivering measurable operational outcomes.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Formal training in rolling theory and rolling mill processes.
• At least five years' experience in pass design and implementation within a bar and/or wire rod rolling mill.
• Strong experience in rolling process control and mill optimisation.
• Proficiency using pass design software such as WICON (or equivalent) and CAD software.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting and root cause investigation skills.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• A demonstrated commitment to health, safety and continuous improvement.

This is an outstanding opportunity to become the technical lead for pass design and rolling process optimisation at New Zealand Steel. You'll play a pivotal role in improving product quality, manufacturing performance and operational excellence while helping shape the future capability of our Rolling Mill.

What we offer

Being part of the BlueScope brand makes us a strong and successful global company offering connections throughout the world and providing access to resources and tools from the wider business. We believe our people are our strength and embrace diversity and inclusion as we aim to have the right people in the right roles to move us into the future. If you enjoy working with people who are practical, put your safety first, and care about the communities in which they work, then Pacific Steel is the place for you.

We have opportunities for learning and development, unique work location, onsite medical centre, free parking, an excellent remuneration package and a supportive team environment.

Does this sound like the next step in your career? Click ‘Apply’ now!

Apply now

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