What's your job about?

Fortescue is a technology, energy, and metals group driving the rapid, profitable, and global decarbonisation of industry. As a graduate, I have the unique opportunity to rotate across different teams, gaining firsthand experience in how each contributes to our mission and our goal of achieving Real Zero by 2030.

I currently work at Fortescue’s Iron Bridge mine site as a Graduate Process Control Systems (PCS) Engineer. My team designs, maintains, and optimises the systems that monitor and control industrial processes—think of it as the ‘central nervous system’ of the processing plant.

No two days as a PCS Engineer look the same. Tasks can range from trouble shooting faults, analysing historical trends, working with SCADA systems (software that displays and controls plant operations) and automation logic (instructions that tell machines what to do). For instance, I recently implemented an automatic flushing sequence for our slurry pumps to reduce bogging events and downtime. This reduces the mental load on controllers, allowing them to focus on bigger decisions, while also preventing pump damage and downtime.

What's your background?

I was born and raised in Perth, Western Australia, to a family of Vietnamese refugees. Like many immigrant families, education was highly valued in my family, and I grew up loving science, art, and music. 

In high school, my favorite subjects were chemistry, physics, and biology. At the same time, I was a classically trained pianist, studying from pre-primary to Year 12 and later teaching piano in my own studio while at university.

Ironically, I didn’t even know what an engineer was until a university tour in Year 12 introduced me to mechatronics—a blend of mechanical, electrical, and programming. Throughout university, I stayed active beyond academics, serving as Secretary and later President of Women in Engineering Curtin Division (WiECD), which focused on professional development. I also co-founded the Bubble Tea Society (BBTS), a fun social club that brought people together over a shared love for bubble tea!

I landed my first engineering role at Fortescue through networking at a WiECD event. I started as a part-time Undergraduate Engineer for 2 years before transitioning into the Graduate Program. What drew me to Fortescue was its values-driven culture and strong commitment to sustainability, particularly its decarbonisation and green energy initiatives.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

If you are analytical, solution-oriented and thrive in dynamic environments – then, yes! 

People with electrical engineering or programming backgrounds could easily transition into a PCS role with some training. Technical skills such as PLC programming, SCADA systems, troubleshooting control systems can all be taught. Attention to detail, the ability to stay calm under pressure and recover quickly from errors are also essential skills in this line of work.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The best part of my job is seeing the immediate, real-world impact of my work. Logic programming and SCADA modifications are the most rewarding—seeing my work streamline processes, enhance efficiency, or improve safety is incredibly satisfying. 

I love that my role isn’t just theoretical; it directly impacts operations and makes life easier for people on-site.

What are the limitations of your job?

With great power comes great responsibility! 

It’s a job where attention to detail is critical. While it isn't physically demanding, the mental load can be intense, especially when troubleshooting under pressure. Mistakes have real consequences, so staying thorough, adaptable, and calm when things go wrong is important.  Thankfully, my team provides great mentorship and support through these challenges.