Brad Derada
Senior Director, Global Autonomous Center of Excellence, Worley Consulting

The world of industrial automation is evolving fast and that’s what makes it exciting. I love helping customers cut through complexity, scale new technologies and make them work in their bespoke environments. For me, success is about always keeping the end goal in sight: creating solutions that deliver real value to business.

Pushing the boundaries of automation

Brad Derada, based in Perth, Australia, has been shaping the future of automation across sectors in traditional and new energy, mining and manufacturing – always looking for what’s possible next. With over 17 years at Worley and more than two decades in the field, Brad has led diverse teams to deliver flagship projects and outcomes for customers worldwide.

Brad began his career as a computer systems engineer in offshore oil and gas before moving into robotic manufacturing and later mining – where he has helped drive change across some of the world’s largest and most complex projects. At Worley, he’s led automation scopes for multi-billion-dollar programs, managed electrical and instrumentation teams of over 150 people, and helped create innovative solutions to operate more safely, efficiently and reliably.

Brad was part of an eight-year journey on a $7 billion mining port project – from the earliest study phase to signing off the operational handover for a fully automated port. “Being there from start to finish was an incredible experience.”

Brad wearing PPE standing in an offshore oil platform.

Helping customers navigate change

For Brad, it starts with people – customers and colleagues alike. His focus is on understanding what really matters, whether that’s improving safety, boosting productivity or integrating new technology into established systems. By listening first and collaborating closely, Brad turns challenges into practical solutions that work to deliver lasting value.

Looking ahead

Brad sees the next decade transforming automation in mining and energy.

“We’ll be operating deeper underground and in tougher environments. Autonomous maintenance will be the game-changer,” he says.

He also expects a rapid shift toward renewables and storage, driving greater demand for automation and robotics. For Brad, success is technology adoption moving hand in hand with effective change management – helping customers prepare their people, processes and systems for what’s next.