Graduate Mechanical Engineer – Engineering Operations

Thornton, Newcastle, NSW
Full time | $65,000–$80,000 per annum, depending on experience

Build a strong foundation for your engineering career

K&R; Hydraulics is one of Australia’s leading hydraulic repair and manufacturing companies, supporting the mining, rail, marine, defence and heavy industrial sectors.

We’re seeking a Graduate Mechanical Engineer who wants to develop a practical understanding of engineering, manufacturing and business operations.

This opportunity would suit someone who is organised, detail-oriented and keen to understand how a successful engineering business operates—from initial customer enquiry through to workshop execution and final delivery. It offers a structured pathway towards more technical, operational or customer-facing responsibilities as your knowledge and capability develop.

The role

Initially, this will be primarily an office-based role working closely with our Workshop Coordinator and supporting the day-to-day coordination of engineering and workshop activities.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Entering and maintaining job information within our ERP system
- Coordinating workflow and information between departments
- Processing parts requirements and job documentation
- Assisting with quotations and technical enquiries
- Maintaining accurate job records and supporting documentation
- Monitoring job progress and helping identify potential delays
- Supporting our workshop, engineering and customer service teams
- Communicating with tradespeople, suppliers and customers as required

You will also spend time in the workshop learning how hydraulic cylinders, pumps, motors and valves are inspected, assessed, repaired and tested. Developing this practical understanding will help you make informed engineering and operational decisions as your responsibilities grow.

This is a genuine development opportunity—not a long-term administration position.





You will initially be mentored by our current Workshop Coordinator, who is transitioning into a technical sales and engineering role. As your knowledge and confidence grow, you will progressively take greater ownership of the Engineering Operations function and gain further exposure to:

- Engineering support and technical problem-solving
- Customer enquiries and technical sales
- Quoting and repair assessment
- Project and production coordination
- Workshop planning and operations management

For the right person, the role provides a long-term career pathway into areas such as technical sales, project engineering, engineering support, production planning or operations management.

About you

- Has recently completed, or is close to completing, a degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Is organised, methodical and attentive to detail
- Is comfortable working with systems, data and documentation
- Enjoys solving practical problems
- Communicates confidently with tradespeople, engineers and customers
- Is willing to spend time in both the office and workshop
- Is eager to learn and take on greater responsibility
- Wants to build a long-term career with a growing Australian company

Previous exposure to hydraulics, machining, manufacturing or heavy industry would be advantageous but is not essential. More importantly, you’ll bring a positive attitude, strong work ethic and genuine willingness to learn.

At K&R;, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers, hydraulic specialists, machinists and tradespeople who are committed to sharing their knowledge and helping you develop.

You’ll gain practical exposure to hydraulic systems, heavy industrial equipment, engineering processes and business operations while becoming an important member of a close-knit team supporting some of Australia’s largest mining and industrial businesses.

If you’re looking for practical experience, structured mentoring and genuine opportunities for long-term career development, we’d like to hear from you.

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📌 Graduate Mechanical Engineer – Engineering Operations (New South Wales)
🏢 K&R Hydraulics
📍 New South Wales