Superintendent Field Hydrogeology

Superintendent Field Hydrogeology

• Drive technical leadership and best practice in field hydrogeology delivery

• Lead one of the largest and diverse field teams of their type

• Influence and drive a culture of continuous improvement

• FIFO 5:2/4:3 roster

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We’re seeking a Superintendent Field Hydrogeology to join our Iron Ore business and lead a talented, collaborative team of approximately 20 Field Hydrogeologists. In this role, you’ll provide both technical and safety leadership across a wide range of hydrogeological field programs—spanning development, implementation, operation, and closure—across our Tier 1 Pilbara assets. Working alongside our industry-leading water-well drilling partners, you’ll help deliver the future of groundwater management through a clear vision, a continuous improvement mindset, and a strong commitment to team development, technical excellence and environmental stewardship.

Reporting to the Manager Hydrogeology, you will:

• Lead with Purpose: Guide a team of Field Hydrogeologists in delivering high-quality technical supervision of hydrogeological drilling, aquifer testing, VWP installation, and injection testing —anchored in a clear vision for sustainable water management and operational excellence.

• Collaborate Across Functions: Build solid, respectful partnerships across technical, planning and delivery teams to realise successful execution of field programs aligned with shared goals and long-term impact.

• Champion Safety and Wellbeing: Foster a proactive safety culture by embedding Critical Risk Management (CRM), leading by example in the field, and continuously identifying and implementing improvements that enhance team wellbeing and operational safety.

• Drive Program Success: through collaborative planning and scheduling of drilling programs, ensuring technical oversight across multiple concurrent sites and driving better outcomes.

• Partner for Progress: Work closely with internal teams and contract partners to enhance performance, challenge the status quo, and identify innovative ways to improve safety, efficiency, and technical delivery.

• Ensure Environmental Stewardship: Oversee field programs that meet regulatory standards, minimize environmental impact, and uphold rigorous data collection protocols.

• Promote Scientific Excellence: Advocate for the scientific method in hydrogeological investigations, ensuring outcomes are transparent, reliable, and fit for purpose.

• Lead with Integrity: Provide clear, considered technical and leadership guidance that reflects our values of Care, Courage, and Curiosity, and encourages open dialogue and exploration of new ideas.

• Inspire and Develop Talent: Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse team of Field Hydrogeologists, fostering a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, psychological safety, and professional growth.

• Contribute Strategically: Play an active role in shaping the future direction of hydrogeology programs by contributing insights at departmental and divisional levels, and aligning team efforts with broader strategic goals.

What you’ll bring

• A collaborative approach to solving complex challenges, with a focus on practical, sustainable outcomes.

• Experience leading and supporting diverse teams, with a passion for building a positive, high-performing culture where everyone can thrive.

• The ability to influence and build trust across a wide range of stakeholders, bringing people together to achieve shared goals.

• Clear and confident communication skills—able to translate technical concepts into meaningful insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Practical knowledge of hydrogeological drilling methods in Pilbara terrain, and a strong understanding of water-well construction, development, and testing.

• A commitment to environmental stewardship and best practice in water supply development.

• A continuous improvement mindset—curious, reflective, and always looking for better ways to plan, deliver, and learn.

• A proactive, self-motivated approach, with a desire to grow your expertise and support others in doing the same.

• The ability to provide meaningful context and purpose to your team, connecting their work to broader goals.

• Solid time and resource management skills to support the successful delivery of large-scale drilling programs.

• A coaching style that fosters development, encourages feedback, and celebrates progress.

• A current manual WA Driver’s license 

• A minimum bachelor’s degree in geology, hydrogeology, relevant science or engineering field

It will be beneficial if you have:

• Post-graduate training in water-related field

• Be highly attuned to the challenges associated with hydrogeology and field hydrogeology in mining and the Pilbara

• Understanding of WA regulatory environment applicable to water

If you are excited about the role and think you have what it takes but your experience doesn't align 100% we still want to hear from you. 

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 permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto

• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program

• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family

• Attractive share ownership plan

• Company provided insurance cover

• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options

• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support

• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

• Possible domestic relocation assistance

Where you’ll be working

Working 5:2/4:3 roster across multiple sites within the Pilbara.

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own an integrated portfolio of iron ore assets: a world-class, integrated network of 16 mines, four independent port terminals, a 1,700 kilometre rail network and related infrastructure –all designed to respond rapidly to changes in demand. We are one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of iron ore.

Applications close on 29 July 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

#gts

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.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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.

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