Austunnel is looking for an experienced Senior TBM Mechanical Specialist to become one of our lead technical resources supporting Tunnel Boring Machines across Australia.

We are looking for a trade-qualified mechanical specialist who is a hands-on leader.

You will have spent a substantial part of your career working directly with TBMs - assembling, commissioning, maintaining them, troubleshooting failures and working with crews when machines need to be repaired quickly.

Importantly, you will have extensive practical knowledge of TBM hydraulic systems.

You should be comfortable looking at a complex hydraulic schematic, understanding how the system is intended to operate and then walking onto the machine to determine why it isn't.

What you will do

- Review mechanical and hydraulic designs with engineers.

- Participate in machine inspections and Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).

- Supervise TBM assembly and lead mechanical crews.

- Liaise with client teams to achieve successful project outcomes

- Commission hydraulic and mechanical systems.

- Conduct or support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

- Train fitters and maintenance personnel.

- Troubleshoot TBM breakdowns and investigate repeated hydraulic failures.

- Review hydraulic schematics and identify potential issues.

- Develop repair methodologies and support failure and warranty investigations.

- Travel to OEM factories to resolve technical issues before machines are shipped to Australia.

- Assist with scoping TBM project requirements and equipment selection.

This is a hands-on role. We want someone who is comfortable discussing a hydraulic circuit with an OEM or client engineer in the morning and then working alongside the mechanical crew on the machine that afternoon.

Hydraulic knowledge is critical

This position requires substantial practical expertise in TBM hydraulic systems.

You should have demonstrated experience with systems incorporating equipment such as:

- hydraulic pumps and motors;

- cylinders and thrust systems;

- pressure and flow-control valves;

- proportional and servo valves;

- hydraulic manifolds;

- accumulators;

- filtration systems;

- hydraulic cooling systems;

- hoses and fittings;

- pressure monitoring; and

- associated control systems like vacuum and grout circuits.

You will need to be able to read complex hydraulic schematics, understand system operation, diagnose faults and develop practical solutions. General mechanical experience alone will not be sufficient.

Trade qualification required

Applicants must hold a recognised mechanical trade qualification. Suitable backgrounds could include:

- Mechanical Fitter;

- Industrial Mechanic;

- Fitter and Turner;





- Plant Mechanic;

- Mechanical Engineering Tradesperson; or

- equivalent international mechanical trade qualifications.

For this position, extensive practical TBM knowledge and experience is critical.

The experience we are looking for

- At least 10 years of significant TBM mechanical experience, with considerably greater experience highly regarded.

- Extensive practical knowledge of TBM hydraulic systems.

- Strong hydraulic fault-finding capability.

- Substantial TBM assembly and commissioning experience.

- Maintenance and breakdown experience.

- Experience reading hydraulic schematics and mechanical drawings.

- Experience supervising mechanical crews.

- Experience working with OEM engineers and technical teams.

- Pro-Active production suggestions throughout OEM build phase

- The confidence to represent Austunnel in technical discussions with customers and manufacturers.

Experience we would especially value

- Previous work directly for one or more major TBM manufacturers.

- Experience on both the OEM and tunnelling contractor sides of the industry.

- Experience with on international projects.

- OEM factory assembly experience and FAT/SAT involvement.

- Commissioning of TBM hydraulic systems.

- Experience as a TBM Mechanical Supervisor, Assembly Manager, OEM Field Service Specialist or Commissioning Specialist.

- Investigation of major equipment failures.

- Training of mechanical maintenance teams.

- Experience on EPB, slurry and hard-rock machines in varying diameters.

- Practical knowledge of cutterheads and cutting tools.

- TBM A & B Grouting circuits

Electrical and PLC knowledge is useful but is not essential. The core requirement is mechanical and hydraulic TBM expertise.

Working and Liaising with TBM manufacturers

From time to time the position will involve working directly with international TBM OEMs.

You may become involved during scoping of TBM requirements, working with factory engineers to ensure the machine is suitable for the Australian project.

During manufacture you may attend OEM facilities to undertake inspections, QA/QC and FAT. After the machine arrives in Australia, you may then supervise or support its assembly, commissioning and entry into service.

Austunnel works with all TBM brands, so this is an OEM-neutral position.





Although not essential, Chinese and/or German language skills will be beneficial for the role.

Troubleshooting and breakdown support

When an operating TBM has a serious mechanical or hydraulic problem, you may be one of the first people Austunnel calls upon. Depending on the issue, you may:

- travel to site;

- diagnose the fault;

- carry out or supervise the repair;

- determine parts and labour requirements;

- coordinate with the OEM;

- develop the repair methodology; or

- mobilise additional Austunnel resources.

The ability to remain calm and systematically diagnose complex problems is an significant part of the job.

Training and mentoring

We also want you to pass on what you know. You will work alongside Austunnel and customer fitters and maintenance personnel and help develop their understanding of TBM mechanical and hydraulic systems. Building Austunnel's long-term TBM technical capability will be an important part of the position.

Travel

The position is based in Melbourne, but TBM projects are located throughout Australia. Extended project deployments will be required. A TBM assembly may involve several months on one project, and longer assignments may occur where Austunnel provides ongoing maintenance support.

International travel to OEM factories will also be required periodically.

About Austunnel

Austunnel provides specialist equipment and technical services to the tunnelling and underground construction industries. Our activities include equipment supply, assembly, commissioning, mechanical and electrical services, maintenance, repairs and specialist technical support. We work with major tunnelling contractors and international equipment manufacturers across Australian underground infrastructure projects. The Senior TBM Mechanical Specialist position is being created to strengthen Austunnel's in-house TBM capability and provide our customers and OEM partners with a highly experienced technical resource.

Who we would like to meet

The ideal person has spent many years working directly on TBMs and has developed a reputation as someone people turn to when there is a difficult mechanical or hydraulic problem.

You may have started your career as a fitter or industrial mechanic, worked your way into TBM assembly and maintenance, spent time with an OEM and eventually moved into senior technical, commissioning or supervisory positions.

You know the difference between understanding a machine from a drawing and understanding it because you have assembled, commissioned and repaired one.

If that describes your background, we would be interested in speaking with you.

📌 Senior TBM Mechanical Specialist (Melbourne)
🏢 Austunnel
📍 Melbourne