Principal Geotechnical Engineer
- Be part of a group that is safety driven, values inclusion and is renowned for technical excellence
- Join our global leading business offering outstanding personal development & global career opportunities
- Permanent role based in Santiago, Chile
- (Please Submit the resume in English)
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the Role
We are looking for a Principal Geotechnical Engineer to provide support for slope design and geotechnical risk management for Rio Tinto’s surface copper mine operations and projects. In this role you will be regarded as a subject matter expert in major aspects of geotechnical engineering across the full mining life cycle (conceptual to closure) for both open pit and heap leach operations. Reporting to the Principal Engineer Geotechnical, you will be:
- Providing technical support and advice to operations, projects and studies in areas of slope design, operational slope management process, and the identification of potential risks that may lead to catastrophic or reputational risks.
- Supporting site geotechnical teams and projects with their Line 1 assurance processes and that these are appropriately focused on the key risk areas at each operation or project.
- A geotechnical SME supporting business development and the evaluation of any merger and acquisition opportunities, including Rio Tinto’s unique Nuton heap leach technology
- Developing innovative solutions through connection and engagement with leading external practitioners including consultants and educational/research institutions.
- Coaching and mentoring junior engineers across Rio Tinto’s surface mining portfolio.
- Contributing to developing best practice standards and guidelines in geotechnical engineering.
About you
- A commitment to the safety of yourself, your team and the operations and projects you support
- Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical engineering or other relevant discipline.
- 10-15 years of geotechnical experience in large open pits.
- Strong experience with slope investigation, characterization & slope design and able to define appropriate scopes of work / geotechnical requirements for all levels of study.
- Experience in advanced stability modelling, incl numerical models, and the appropriate inclusion of pore pressure in stability analyses.
- Strong site based geotechnical operations and hazard management experience
- Professional working proficiency in English is required with strong written (technical reports and memos) and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work with multi-disciplinary and diverse teams and to communicate effectively to all levels of the organization.
- Excellent Written and Verbal Communication skill in English & Spanish
Preferred Qualifications:
- Multi-site experience across both geotechnical operations and slope design focused roles
- Familiarity & credibility with geotechnical review boards
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees
- Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions
- Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs
- Wellbeing benefits
- Generous Rio Tinto employee share program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matter
- Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
Where you will be working
The Rio Tinto Copper Technical group is a global organization with operations and projects in the U.S. (Kennecott Utah Copper, “RTKC”, and Resolution Copper Project), Mongolia (Oyu Tolgoi), and Western Australia (Winu Cu-Au project). The portfolio also supports Rio Tinto’s interests in a non-managed joint venture in Chile (Escondida) and the USA (Johnson Camp mine leach operation), in addition to exploration & evaluation interests and other minor investments.
The role is focused primarily on supporting the operations, studies and growth opportunities in North and South America. Periodic travel to these locations is expected. Very occasional travel to other locations outside of the Americas is also likely.
Spanish**
Ingeniero/a Principal Geotécnico/a
- Sé parte de un equipo que prioriza la seguridad, valora la inclusión y es reconocido por su excelencia técnica
- Únete a una empresa líder a nivel global que ofrece excelentes oportunidades de desarrollo personal y carrera internacional
- Puesto permanente con sede en Santiago, Chile
- Por favor, envía tu currículum en inglés
Estamos encontrando mejores maneras™ de proporcionar los materiales que el mundo necesita, hoy y en el futuro. Nuestros valores — cuidado, valentía y curiosidad — guían cómo trabajamos y cómo nos relacionamos.
Sobre el rol
Estamos en búsqueda de un/a Ingeniero/a Principal Geotécnico/a para brindar soporte en el diseño geotécnico y la gestión de riesgos geotécnicos para las operaciones y proyectos de minas de cobre a cielo abierto de Rio Tinto.
En este rol serás reconocido/a como experto/a técnico/a en aspectos clave de la ingeniería geotécnica a lo largo de todo el ciclo de vida minero (desde la etapa conceptual hasta el cierre), tanto para operaciones de cielo abierto como de lixiviación en pilas.
Reportando al/la Ingeniero/a Principal Geotécnico/a, tus responsabilidades incluirán:
- Proporcionar soporte técnico y asesoramiento a operaciones, proyectos y estudios en áreas como diseño de taludes, gestión operacional de taludes e identificación de riesgos potenciales que puedan derivar en eventos catastróficos o riesgos reputacionales
- Apoyar a los equipos geotécnicos de sitio y a los proyectos en sus procesos de aseguramiento de primera línea (Line 1), garantizando que estén enfocados en las áreas de mayor riesgo en cada operación o proyecto
- Actuar como experto/a técnico/a (SME) en geotecnia, apoyando el desarrollo del negocio y la evaluación de oportunidades de fusiones y adquisiciones, incluyendo la tecnología de lixiviación en pilas Nuton de Rio Tinto
- Desarrollar soluciones innovadoras mediante la colaboración con expertos externos, incluyendo consultores e instituciones académicas y de investigación
- Capacitar y guiar a ingenieros/as junior a lo largo del portafolio de minería a cielo abierto de Rio Tinto
- Contribuir al desarrollo de estándares y lineamientos de mejores prácticas en ingeniería geotécnica
Sobre ti
- Compromiso con tu seguridad, la de tu equipo y la de las operaciones y proyectos que apoyas
- Título de licenciatura en Ingeniería Geotécnica u otra disciplina relevante
- Entre 10 y 15 años de experiencia en geotecnia en minería de gran escala
- Sólida experiencia en investigación, caracterización y diseño de taludes, así como en la definición de alcances de trabajo y requerimientos geotécnicos para todos los niveles de estudio
- Experiencia en modelación avanzada de estabilidad, incluyendo modelos numéricos y la adecuada incorporación de presiones de poro en los análisis de estabilidad
- Fuerte experiencia en operaciones geotécnicas en sitio y gestión de riesgos
- Nivel profesional de inglés, con habilidades sólidas de comunicación escrita (informes técnicos y memorandos) y verbal
- Capacidad para trabajar en equipos multidisciplinarios y diversos, comunicándose eficazmente con todos los niveles de la organización
- Excelentes habilidades de comunicación escrita y verbal en inglés y español
Calificaciones deseables
- Experiencia en múltiples sitios, tanto en operaciones geotécnicas como en roles enfocados en diseño de taludes
- Familiaridad y credibilidad frente a comités de revisión geotécnica
Lo que ofrecemos
Sé reconocido/a por tu contribución, tu forma de pensar y tu esfuerzo, y vuelve a casa sabiendo que has contribuido al progreso del mundo.
- Un entorno laboral donde la seguridad es siempre la máxima prioridad
- Un paquete de remuneración competitivo con incentivos anuales en efectivo para empleados/as elegibles
- Desarrollo profesional y apoyo educativo para impulsar tus aspiraciones
- Acceso a programas de salud y bienestar de primer nivel, pensados para la familia
- Beneficios de bienestar
- Generoso programa de acciones para empleados de Rio Tinto
- Programa de Asistencia al Empleado
- Apoyo continuo para el bienestar personal y profesional para ti y tu familia
- Licencias para todas las etapas de la vida (vacaciones, licencia parental pagada, licencia médica)
Dónde trabajarás
El grupo técnico de Cobre de Rio Tinto es una organización global con operaciones y proyectos en Estados Unidos (Kennecott Utah Copper, “RTKC”, y el proyecto Resolution Copper), Mongolia (Oyu Tolgoi) y Australia Occidental (proyecto Winu Cu-Au).
El portafolio también apoya los intereses de Rio Tinto en una empresa conjunta no operada en Chile (Escondida) y en Estados Unidos (operación de lixiviación de la mina Johnson Camp), además de intereses en exploración, evaluación y otras inversiones menores.
Este rol está enfocado principalmente en apoyar operaciones, estudios y oportunidades de crecimiento en América del Norte y del Sur. Se espera disponibilidad para viajes periódicos a estas ubicaciones, así como viajes ocasionales fuera de las Américas.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, 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 situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ 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.
R56942
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.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being 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 who we are.
Start your application
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
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 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 a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. 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.