Electrical & Automation Engineer
Software Engineering, Other Engineering
Queensland, Australia
About Provectus Algae
Provectus Algae is a Noosaville-based synthetic biology company. Using its proprietary precision photosynthesis platform, the company programs algae to produce high-value compounds for the pharmaceutical, food and agricultural industries, cultivating them in automated photobioreactors.
The platform combines proprietary lighting, bioreactors, instrumentation and automation, backed by a growing portfolio of patents and built to CGMP standards. This role sits at the heart of that hardware: the electrical, lighting, controls and automation systems that keep our world-first equipment running reliably, safely and at scale.
Role purpose
To lead the electrical, controls and automation work underpinning our photobioreactor platform and facilities, from the programmable LED lighting systems and their control hardware, through bioreactor automation and instrumentation across our Noosaville sites. The role brings hands-on expertise together with strong automation and controls capability, keeping production and R&D running while helping evolve our equipment from prototype to commercially scalable systems.
Key responsibilities
- Carry out electrical design, installation, testing, fault-finding and repair across the facilities, including single- and three-phase power, distribution boards and production equipment.
- Build, wire, install, calibrate and maintain the precision LED lighting systems, their controllers and thermal-management hardware across the reactors.
- Develop, program, install and maintain automation and control systems (PLCs, microcontrollers, sensors, solenoids and pumps) for lighting, temperature, CO₂, media, aeration, ultrafiltration and dosing.
- Install, calibrate and troubleshoot instrumentation (pH, temperature, flow) and support data capture into our monitoring and IIoT platforms.
- Diagnose and repair lighting and control hardware, LED driver boards and PCBs, minimising downtime to production and facilities.
- Contribute to other projects utlising your technical mindset and bring different persectives
- Train and mentor engineers and technicians, supervise contractors, and manage project scope, timelines, budgets and documentation.
Skills & experience required
- Strong hands-on capability with PLCs, automation/control systems and building/plant management systems (BMS), including setup and programming.
- Experience with lighting control systems and their installation, wiring and programming.
- Sound electronics knowledge, instrumentation, sensors, circuit and PCB-level fault-finding and analysis.
- Proven experience leading teams and managing contractors, with strong planning, forecasting and stakeholder communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to safe working practices, compliance and high standards; comfortable in a fast-changing, hands-on environment.
Desirable but no Essential
- Experience in GMP/CGMP, regulated manufacturing or another quality-controlled production environment.
- Microcontroller programming, CAD, and CMMS-based maintenance management.
- Industrial autopilot, automation or remote-monitoring experience.
- Electrical Licensing
What we Offer
- The chance to work hands-on with genuinely world-first lighting and automation technology in a fast-growing Australian biotech.
- A collaborative engineering team and a direct line of sight from your work to production outcomes.
- A diverse and inclusive workplace, with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
- Monthly team events.
- Competitive Salary