Boron | California
Summer 2025 Internship
Process Engineering
For California based roles the expected hourly salary is $20/hour – $40/hour
If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it. Our Internship Program is an opportunity for you to shape Rio Tinto from the inside out. We want you to be part of our team to help take us forward by solving the emerging challenges of our time. At Rio Tinto, we believe the best ideas come from bringing people together with different perspectives to work toward a common goal – to create a better tomorrow.
About the role
We are offering a 3-month Process EngineeringSummer internship at our mine and refinery based in Boron, California. This opportunity will introduce you to a dynamic environment of the mining industry that mandates the need for highly trained and qualified personnel to support the growing demands of producing high quality process analyses.
Specifically, our processes include the use of chemicals, combustion systems, high pressure or high temperature which if not operated or maintained correctly could create a hazardous condition for employees. Existing and proposed mechanical and instrumentation processes are analyzed for failure modes and evaluated for risk. Rigid controls are created to ensure layers of protection exist for potentially hazardous scenarios. There is an increasing demand at both Rio Tinto Boron and other operational sites for technical expertise.
Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking & your hard work, & go homeknowing you’ve helped the world progress.
What you’ll bring
- At least one year completed in Chemical, Engineering or other related field
- Leadership skills, eagerness to learn and ready for the challenge ahead
- Flexibility and autonomy
- Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
- Valid driving licence
*To be eligible, you must return to school the semester following the internship period and have the right to work full-time in the United States.
What we offer
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- A competitive salary
- A relocation lump-sum offered for students (for eligible students)
- Reimburse 1-time travel to and from your work site (for eligible students)
- Ambitious, exciting and rewarding experience
- Opportunity to build relationships with the Rio Tinto team and community
- A great chance to prepare yourself to join our Graduate Development Program
Where will you be working
Rio Tinto Borates is a global leader in industrial mineral supply and science. We supply approximately 25% of the world’s demand for refined borates, minerals essential to life and modern living. We seek to create mutual value by working closely with our investment partners and host communities. Our 20 Mule Team Borax brand pays tribute to our first borates mining operation in Death Valley in 1872.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.
Every Voice Matters
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from underrepresented groups such as Indigenous people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.
Next steps…
There’s no better time to lead this change than the leaders of the future and that starts with a graduate or vacation role at Rio Tinto. Apply today.
Please note, in order to be considered for this role, you must complete all pre-screening questions.
*Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove job postings as there is enough applicants, therefore, if you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please submit your application as soon as possible.
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
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Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
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- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in our Operations teams
The most important thing you’ll uncover is your own potential.
Working in Operations at Rio Tinto means you can make a hands-on difference in the discovery and delivery of the materials that make human progress possible. In return, we strive to help you achieve and even exceed your career goals. Join us and experience:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
05
Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.