Irrigation Automation Manager

Irrigation Automation Manager – Sunraysia, VIC

About the Role

Based in the Mildura, VIC area and reporting to the Head of Automation Australia, you will:

• Lead the delivery of cloud-based irrigation and hydraulic systems across the Sunraysia and Riverland regions, with occasional travel to other growing areas.
• Oversee surveys, hardware planning, system configuration, installation, monitoring, and maintenance.
• Work hands-on with low-voltage electrical components, hydraulic controls, pumps, filters, injectors, and other electro-mechanical devices.
• Provide onsite and remote technical support, including occasional after-hours assistance with flexibility to manage your time.
• Mentor and develop field technicians while ensuring growers receive outstanding service and training.

This role combines technical expertise with leadership and customer engagement, offering clear scope for progression as the business expands.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct farm site surveys, analyse requirements, and prepare system designs and materials specifications.
• Configure and install company owned solar-powered irrigation controllers and hydraulic valve controllers.
• Install and wire field sensors (e.g., filter pressure, tank level, dam level, and flow meters).
• Perform sensor calibration and complete end-to-end system testing.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware or communication faults.
• Verify the accuracy and reliability of sensor and water management data.
• Train field technicians in installation, calibration, and troubleshooting best practices.

What We're Looking For

Technical expertise

• Experience in horticultural irrigation operation, maintenance, or hydraulic system design (essential).
• Knowledge of automation systems, electrical/electronics, and hydraulics.
• Strong troubleshooting ability with a practical, problem-solving mindset.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Google Workspace.

Leadership & management

• Proven ability to deliver projects from planning through to completion.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide and motivate field teams.
• Resilient under pressure with excellent organisational skills.

Customer focus & communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships and deliver exceptional customer service.

Other requirements

• Willingness to work outdoors in orchards and vineyards,
• Regular travel throughout Sunraysia and Riverland regions, with occasional travel to other growing areas.
• Physically capable of hands-on fieldwork.
• Current Australian driver's licence and full Australian working rights.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary package aligned with your skills and experience.
• Company vehicle, phone, laptop, and superannuation.
• Comprehensive training and ongoing support to master Phytech solutions.
• Career progression opportunities as the business grows.
• A collaborative team culture where innovation, sustainability, and impact drive everything we do.

If you're ready to combine your technical expertise with leadership in a fast-growing agtech company — and help growers transform how they manage water and optimise yields — we'd love to hear from you.

Phytech is Australia's largest IoT Agtech service provider, working with leading growers to improve water efficiency, optimise yields, and deliver high-quality produce. Using proprietary plant and environmental sensors, cloud-based algorithms, and easy-to-use mobile interfaces, we provide growers with real-time insights into the irrigation needs of their crops.

As part of our growth, we are expanding our irrigation automation services team — enabling growers to remotely program and manage their irrigation systems. This is a chance to be at the forefront of agtech innovation and play a hands-on role in shaping the future of sustainable farming. We are seeking an experienced Irrigation Automation Manager to join our Sunraysia team and help lead this exciting expansion.