Bothar Boring and Tunnelling – Williamstown VIC

Location: Tennyson Street, Williamstown, VIC, 3016

Employment Type: Full time

Applications Open: 19 August 2026

Applications Close: 18 September 2026

About Us

Bothar is a specialist contractor delivering complex tunnelling, pipeline and civil infrastructure projects across Australia, with particular expertise in microtunnelling.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced TBM Mechanical Engineering Technician with specialist experience in Herrenknecht AVN microtunnelling machinery to join our Equipment and Maintenance team.

Working alongside project teams, TBM Operators and mechanical personnel, you will provide technical and mechanical support across workshop and project environments to support the reliability and availability of tunnelling equipment.

Due to the specialised and technically complex nature of the equipment, extensive hands‑on experience maintaining and repairing Herrenknecht AVN microtunnelling machines is essential.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide specialist mechanical and technical support for Herrenknecht AVN microtunnelling machines and associated equipment.
- Perform servicing, inspections and preventative maintenance in accordance with OEM requirements and maintenance schedules.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot faults across TBM mechanical, hydraulic, lubrication, cooling and slurry systems.
- Repair, replace and adjust mechanical and hydraulic components, including pumps, motors, cylinders, valves and gearboxes.
- Inspect and maintain cutterhead components and undertake cutter tool and roller replacement as required.
- Undertake component rebuilds, major maintenance and equipment refurbishment.
- Assist with the assembly, installation, testing and commissioning of AVN machines and associated systems.




- Read and interpret mechanical drawings, hydraulic schematics, technical specifications and OEM documentation.
- Use mechanical testing, measuring and diagnostic equipment to assess component and system condition.
- Assist with technical investigations into recurring equipment failures, reliability issues and mechanical performance.
- Provide technical input into equipment repairs, modifications and improvements.
- Provide specialist mechanical support during TBM launch, tunnelling, breakthrough, recovery and demobilisation where equipment issues arise or technical assistance is required.
- Coordinate maintenance and repair activities with project personnel to minimise equipment downtime.
- Maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, testing and commissioning records.

About You

- A relevant technical or engineering qualification, or equivalent demonstrated technical expertise in specialist microtunnelling machinery.
- Extensive hands‑on experience in the maintenance, repair and technical support of Herrenknecht AVN microtunnelling machines.
- Demonstrated experience with Herrenknecht AVN mechanical and hydraulic systems, cutterhead components, slurry systems, pumps, jacking systems and associated tunnelling equipment.
- Demonstrated experience diagnosing and rectifying complex mechanical and hydraulic faults on microtunnelling equipment.
- Experience with the assembly,



installation, testing and commissioning of TBMs and associated equipment.
- Experience undertaking preventative, pre-drive and post-drive maintenance on microtunnelling machinery.
- Strong understanding of pipe‑jacking and slurry microtunnelling systems and associated equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, hydraulic schematics, technical specifications and OEM documentation.
- Ability to use mechanical testing, measuring and diagnostic equipment.
- Ability and willingness to work in confined spaces, shafts and tunnels where appropriately trained and authorised.
- Flexibility to travel interstate and work on project sites for extended periods as required.
- Ability to pass a pre‑employment medical and meet the physical and safety requirements associated with working on tunnelling equipment and project sites.

Highly Regarded

- Experience across multiple sizes and configurations of Herrenknecht AVN microtunnelling machines.
- Experience undertaking cutterhead maintenance, cutter tool and roller replacement, and modifications to cutterhead or cutter wheel configurations.
- Experience maintaining and repairing separation plants, slurry pumps, feed pumps, bentonite and grouting systems.
- Experience undertaking major maintenance, refurbishment or rebuilds of AVN machines and associated equipment.
- Experience supporting complete TBM project cycles, including mobilisation, launch, breakthrough, recovery and demobilisation.
- Experience working with AVN machines across varying ground conditions, including hard ground applications.
- Previous experience supporting major trenchless and microtunnelling infrastructure projects.

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📌 TBM Mechanical Engineering Technician (Melbourne)
🏢 Bothar Boring and Tunnelling
📍 Melbourne