The mining industry presents an exciting blend of technical problem-solving and hands-on experience for engineers. Kiran Baby, a mechanical engineer at Wilpinjong Mine, is making an impact by improving equipment reliability and enhancing maintenance strategies.
In January 2025, Kiran transitioned into a Mechanical Reliability Engineer role at Wilpinjong, focusing on failure investigations, proactive maintenance, and optimizing asset performance.
His journey into this role began in the graduate program as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer in 2023, where he gained hands-on experience in an underground mine before transitioning to Wilpinjong in 2024.
“The experience I gained in failure investigations and safety-focused engineering solutions helped me step into this role with confidence. Now, I’m taking on greater responsibility in ensuring equipment runs efficiently and downtime is minimized.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Kiran’s goal is to move into a senior engineering or leadership role in the mining industry, contributing to continuous improvement in reliability and maintenance strategies.
“I want to mentor younger engineers and drive innovation in predictive maintenance. Beyond that, I’m passionate about exploring sustainable mining techniques that benefit both the economy and the environment.”
Life at Wilpinjong and Beyond
For Kiran, the collaborative team and hands-on challenges are what makes Wilpinjong a great place to work.
“The skilled team and supportive environment make it an exciting place to work. Plus, living in Mudgee offers an amazing lifestyle. There’s a strong community feel and a great work-life balance.”
Beyond engineering, life in Mudgee has sparked a new hobby for Kiran: stargazing.
“The night skies here are incredible. I’ve started learning about constellations and planets. It’s a great way to unwind after a day of solving engineering challenges.”
A Career of Growth and Innovation
From a graduate role to a key reliability position, Kiran’s time at Wilpinjong Mine is one of continuous learning, problem-solving, and working towards a more innovative and sustainable mining future. With a clear career vision and a passion for engineering excellence, the path ahead is filled with exciting possibiliti
