From scholarship student to global leader driving quality at Bradken
From starting as a scholarship student to leading Bradken’s global quality efforts, Josh has built a career defined by curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Today, as Bradken’s Global Quality Assurance Manager, he plays a pivotal role in ensuring our quality systems remain robust and future-ready. His journey reflects the opportunities Bradken offers for career growth and the value of embracing challenges head-on.
Passionate about working with people and solving complex problems, Josh thrives on collaboration. He believes Bradken’s strength lies in its talented teams and shared commitment to continuous improvement: “One of the main reasons I’m proud to work at Bradken is because of the quality of our solutions, which I know contributes to our customers' success.”
With a background in materials engineering and a love for learning, Josh has embraced every step of his career path—from metallurgist roles to technical leadership—and now leads initiatives that impact our entire business. Read on to hear more from Josh.
Quick facts about Josh:
- Current Role: Global Quality Assurance Manager
- Joined Bradken: 2009
- Bradken location: Wodonga, NSW
- Career Path: Graduate Metallurgist → Plant Metallurgist → Technical Manager/Lead → Technical Lead/Manager in Product Sourcing → Global QA Manager
- Hometown: Merimbula, NSW
- Hobbies: Bush walks, wine tours, spending time with family and friends
- Fun Fact: Once dreamed of being a lawyer because they wore suits and lived in the city!
- Three Words to Describe Bradken: Solutions orientated and receptive
When did you join Bradken, and what has your career journey looked like? I first connected with Bradken at the end of 2009 when I applied for a Materials Engineering scholarship through the University of Wollongong—Bradken found my application and reached out. Engineering studies in high school had already sparked my interest in materials engineering, and I liked the idea of working on a diverse range of problems, so it felt like the perfect fit - and the rest is history!
Since then, my journey has taken me across the country, giving me the chance to experience different sites, teams, and challenges along the way. After completing the Bradken Scholarship Program, I started as a Graduate Metallurgist at the Bradken foundry in Wodonga (Victoria), then moved on to Plant Metallurgist in Launceston (Tasmania).
From there, I transitioned back to Wodonga as Technical Manager, later becoming Technical Lead for Bradken’s Product Sourcing team, and eventually stepping into my current role as Global Quality Assurance Manager where I get to collaborate with Bradken teams across the globe.
I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without Bradken’s investment in my development over the years and the incredible mentorship I’ve received along the way. The time and guidance people have given me have truly shaped my career - It’s a privilege to have had these opportunities.
Tell us about your role at Bradken and what you enjoy most about it. In my current role as Global Quality Assurance Manager, I lead Bradken’s Quality Assurance team, maintain our certifications, and most importantly, work closely with teams across the business to sustain and continuously improve the health of our Quality Management Systems. What I enjoy most is collaborating with people across Bradken—we have incredibly talented individuals and a strong willingness to acknowledge gaps and improve, which makes the work rewarding.
Right now, I’m excited about delivering the new Document Management System aligned to Project Guardian – a multi-year program aimed at uplifting Bradken’s overall risk maturity. It might sound dry, but it’s going to make responsibilities clearer and support our people to work with confidence, which is a big win for the business.
What does “quality” mean to you beyond compliance and certifications? I believe quality is about more than ticking boxes - it’s about consistently meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations. Every effort in the quality space should be focused on delivering that outcome. This means tailoring our processes to create the right value proposition and ensuring we can reliably and repeatably deliver what matters most to our customers.
I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without Bradken’s investment in my development and the incredible mentorship I’ve received along the way - It’s a privilege to have had these opportunities.
- Josh
What makes Bradken a great place to work? It all comes down to people. The way we look after one another at Bradken sets us apart—not every workplace cares like we do. That sense of responsibility also shapes how we approach sustainability. I believe the next generation’s quality of life should be better than the last, and Bradken’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral is a big part of that.
Inclusion matters too. For me, a truly inclusive workplace means embracing and celebrating differences to foster openness and new ideas. I’ve seen Bradken evolve from an Australian manufacturer to a global company with increasing diversity, and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.
How do you find balance outside of work? For me, balance comes from keeping things simple—spending time with family and friends, heading out for bush walks, and enjoying the occasional wine tour. Family life is a big part of that, and Bradken provides the flexibility I need to be both a dad and a leader, which I really value.
I’ve always described myself as someone who likes to understand things and embrace new experiences, and that curiosity definitely extends beyond work into everyday life.I’m married with two young daughters and, honestly, I’m probably learning more from them than they ever will from me. Right now, that learning curve involves K-Pop Demon Hunters!
What’s your advice for someone considering a career with Bradken or in quality management? Bradken is a great company to work for - we’re always looking forward and embracing new opportunities. Joining the team will give you the chance to collaborate with talented people working at our offices and operational sites all around the world.
When it comes to quality management, I think success goes beyond technical knowledge. Strong communication and collaboration skills are just as important as formal education and training. My biggest tip is simple: get started. The more exposure you have in the field, the more confident and knowledgeable you’ll become, and that experience will always support your development.
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