Principal Advisor UG Technology

Oyu Tolgoi’s workforce today is more than 97 per cent Mongolian, and a major strategic focus for the company is to develop a skilled workforce that is continuously learning. We aim to attract the best talent, so that we can together deliver a safe and globally competitive copper business that contributes to the prosperity of Mongolia. 

Oyu Tolgoi LLC is operating a copper-gold mine in southern territory of Mongolia. The company aspires a vision ‘Natural wealth to enduring value, knowledge, and skill’, and pursues a mission, 'Together deliver a safe and globally competitive copper business that contributes to the prosperity of Mongolia' to build one of the largest copper-gold mines worldwide.
 

Principal Advisor UG Technology

• Guiding technology projects in multi-disciplinary mining teams.
• Working with the latest in mobile equipment automation and mining technologies.
• Flexible work environment and fantastic employee benefits role based in Mongolia, either FIFO or residential.

About the role

We are looking for Principal Advisor UG Technology to play a leading role in helping us define and achieve the Oyu Tolgoi Underground Technology Strategy. The primary focus of this role is to establish the capability needed to deliver and maintain advanced technology and automation, and to help create a passionate and engaged team within Underground Operations.

Our vision is to build a world class technology and automation capability including people, processes and technology, which will support underground mining performance and safety, and play a key role in achieving mining targets through the use of modern technology.

This role is a great opportunity for someone who loves working on challenging problems and making a real difference for people and the mining industry. If you are excited by automation, advanced technology, drones, AI/ML and the potential of a data driven business, with the prospect of directly influencing the future of underground mining, then this role may be for you.

Working arrangements can be either site FIFO residential in Ulaanbaatar, or international FIFO. Reporting to the Principal Engineer UG Technology within the Underground Operations team, you will:

• Guide the creation and implementation of our underground remote and automated equipment strategy.
• Support and mentor cross functional teams of engineers, analysts and third-party technology vendors, working closely with end-users (operators, maintainers, supervisors, leaders) to deliver remote and automated equipment projects that improve business results and maintain the highest levels of safety.
• Establish partnerships that drive business value priorities, and pioneer technology solutions that will provide value at velocity.
• Build knowledge, understanding and expertise in remote and automated equipment within the UG Operations team.
• Identify and scope potential projects – working from the initial concept, investigate the problem to be solved, the decision to be changed, the data and systems that underpin the business and then architect, design and deliver products that deliver the objective.
• Solve complex and challenging problems by working closely with operators, maintainers, engineers and other subject-matter-experts.
• Work to establish the roadmap, roles, capabilities, skills and culture required for the success of remote and automated equipment within the underground mining organisation.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with various Rio Tinto Center of Excellence and Product Group teams and vendor partners, to gain broader business context and to facilitate collaborative success.

What you will bring

The Oyu Tolgoi UG Technology Projects team focuses on delivery of both technologies and capability, to ensure that the Oyu Tolgoi mine achieves world class performance and safety – this means being passionate about delivery of projects, focused on learning, sharing and mentoring others. We think you would make a great team member if you can relate to the following:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline is preferred.
• Experience managing all levels of stakeholders in a diverse organisation.
• Have customers at heart, continuously finding better ways to build technology capability and champion user centric design approaches.
• Love to collaborate, with clear and high quality communication, documentation and presentation skills.
• Highly curious, persistent and patient in pursuing the best outcome for the business.
• A life-long learner – we know you won’t know everything – neither do we!
• Willing to try new things and challenge conventional thinking; Oyu Tolgoi is a one of a kind project within Rio Tinto – there is nothing else quite like it.
• Committed to results. We love innovation and curiosity, but we know that most important is delivering a value-centric result.

It will be beneficial if you have:

• Understanding of the following technologies in some detail: underground automated trucks and loaders, drones and sensing technology, AI/ML and underground mine design factors related to technology.
• Extensive experience in working with underground mining or construction projects, as well as with technology product design, compliance and maintenance processes.
• Have a proven track record of leading, designing and delivering complex, large scale remote and automated equipment implementation projects, including the required cultural and process change, preferably within metals and mining organizations.

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
• International relocation and visa assistance if required.
• Competitive package including annual incentive and living allowance.
• Career development to further your ambitions.
• Access to top tier family-friendly health and medical programs.
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program.
• Access to support from the Employee Assistance Program.
• Ongoing individual support for you and your family for personal and professional wellbeing.
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/ annual, paid parental, sick leave).

About us

Joining the Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi Underground Operations team is a great opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting developments in underground mining. The mine contains reserves and resources that make it one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits.

This mega project is expected to be a major contributor to Mongolia’s development. As part of the Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi Underground Operations team, you have the ability to contribute to something significant and learn and develop both personally and professionally. We offer a collaborative, high performing environment where success is achieved by working together.

Discover more about Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi

Mongolia is increasingly becoming a destination for tourism and expatriate residents. As a rapidly developing city, Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar is seen as a comfortable, yet exciting place to live. With an array of cultural and social activities available and a growing network of international schools, housing options, and leisure facilities, its home to a growing community of international expatriates.

Located in the South Gobi Desert, just 80 kilometres from the Chinese border, the Oyu Tolgoi mine is a large, well-run and comfortable site with multiple amenities including recreational and sports facilities, a cinema, shops, restaurants and bars catered to by a growing community. For more information about OT site, please check out this video.

Where you’ll be working

Oyu Tolgoi is an operating Copper / Gold open pit and underground mining project. The site is located in the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia. The reserves case for the underground project is in the order of 0.5 billion tonnes of ore to be mined from the 95,000 tonnes per day Hugo North Lift 1 (HNL1) panel cave mine with a 20+ year operations life. 

Every Voice Matters

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.

Job application closes on 31 Jan 2026

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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.

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