Offshore Virtual Assistants (OVA) is a highly respected outsourcing company based in Sydney, providing long-term remote staffing support to businesses across Australia.

Our client is a leading Australian engineering and manufacturing company specialising in industrial access systems, structural steel components, grating, handrails, stair treads, tube bending, pipe bending, and custom-engineered fabrication solutions. They were established in 1991 and support major infrastructure, transport, civil, industrial, and construction projects throughout Australia through their build-to-print manufacturing expertise and commitment to quality, compliance, and on-time delivery. They are widely recognised for delivering innovative, cost-effective, Australian-made engineering solutions backed by decades of industry experience.

We are seeking an experienced Production / Engineering Support to join our team in a virtual capacity.

This role is ideal for a highly experienced engineering professional with a strong background in fabrication, manufacturing, production planning, drafting, procurement coordination, and project management. The successful candidate will remotely oversee production workflows, coordinate material procurement requirements, support drafting activities, and ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Working closely with management, workshop supervisors, estimators, draftspeople, and production personnel, you will play a key role in maintaining operational efficiency and supporting the successful delivery of engineering and fabrication projects.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Prepare material take-offs and procurement lists for steel, plate, and fabrication requirements based on engineering drawings and project specifications.
• Generate Bills of Materials (BOMs), cutting lists, and material schedules to support procurement and production planning.
• Review project specifications, customer requirements, and engineering drawings.
• Maintain production records and documentation for repeat manufacturing orders.
• Liaise with management regarding project status, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Assist with quality assurance processes and compliance requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Review material requirements and optimise purchasing quantities to minimise waste and improve production efficiency.
• Prepare basic CAD drawings and drafting modifications for laser-cut plates and fabricated components.
• Assist with the preparation, review, and revision of manufacturing drawings for workshop production.
• Ensure drafting outputs comply with project specifications, fabrication requirements, and quality standards.
• Support estimating, planning, and scheduling activities as required.

Experience & Qualifications: 

• Trade qualification or extensive industry experience in at least one of the following:
  • Boilermaking
  • Welding & Fabrication
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
• Minimum 4 years of experience within engineering, fabrication, or manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of build-to-print manufacturing and fabrication operations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Experience working with structural steel, fabrication, or industrial manufacturing projects.
• Strong production planning, scheduling, and workflow management experience.
• Experience preparing Bills of Materials (BOMs), cutting lists, and material take-offs.
• Experience supporting steel procurement and fabrication planning.
• Practical understanding of laser cutting, plate processing, and fabrication workflows.
• Ability to perform basic drafting and drawing modifications using AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and production processes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Systems and Tools Experience:

Experience with the following systems would be highly regarded:

• AutoCAD/Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360 or Key Creator
• Microsoft Office 365
• Microsoft Teams
• Production Planning Software (in-house SaaS system, training provided)
• Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Highly organised and process-driven.
• Honest, ethical, and professional.
• Strong leadership and team coordination skills.
• Results-oriented with a focus on quality and efficiency.
• Ability to build positive working relationships across all levels of the business.
• Committed to delivering projects in full, on time, and within budget.

Key Success Factor: 

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong engineering, fabrication, and manufacturing knowledge.
• Ability to accurately interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
• Excellent production planning and scheduling capability.
• Ability to prepare accurate procurement lists, BOMs, and material schedules.
• Strong understanding of fabrication workflows and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to proactively identify and solve operational issues.
• Consistent delivery of projects on time, within budget, and to specification.
• Strong commercial awareness and cost-control mindset.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with workshop personnel, suppliers, and management teams remotely.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• High level of accountability, initiative, and ownership.
• Focus on delivering practical, efficient, and commercially viable outcomes.