Senior Engineer – Project Engineering, Smelter

• Build a long‑term engineering career in Copper, a critical material enabling electrification, renewable energy, and the global energy transition, at a complex, fully integrated smelter and refinery

• Enjoy a stable Salt Lake City–based role that supports work–life balance, competitive rewards, and the opportunity to see the impact of your work from feed to finished product

• Grow your technical depth and leadership capability through challenging metallurgical processes, cross‑functional project exposure, and clear progression pathways within Rio Tinto’s global Copper business

At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed. We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the 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 Senior Engineer, Project Engineering to support metallurgical processing operations at our integrated smelter and refinery.

Reporting to the Superintendent, Process Projects, and working collaboratively with operational and functional teams, you will be responsible for:
 

• Supporting metallurgical processing plant operations by monitoring, troubleshooting, optimizing, and continuously improving processes including Concentrate Blending, Concentrate Drying, Flash Smelting, Flash Converting, Fire Refining, and Electro‑refining

• Providing technical input to safely and efficiently convert raw materials into compliant, saleable products while maintaining process stability and product quality

• Supporting metals accounting by reconciling metal inventories and validating mass and metal balances across smelting, converting, and refining processes to ensure accurate production reporting

• Analyzing operational and laboratory data to support process control, production planning, and optimization, including identifying performance gaps and implementing corrective actions

• Developing and delivering practical, inclusive training on process chemistry, furnace and process models, and process modifications for operators, Control Room Specialists, and maintenance teams

• Implementing and operationalizing Process Safety Management practices and strengthening our Zero Harm culture through active participation in the CRM program

• Providing visible safety leadership by identifying hazards, assessing risk, and implementing sustainable safety improvements

• Initiating, developing, and delivering projects that improve production capacity, process efficiency, cost performance, and regulatory compliance

• Leading continuous improvement projects within the Technical team, from problem definition and scope development through implementation and results verification

• Working effectively in cross‑functional, matrixed teams to support production, cost, safety, and customer objectives

About you
 

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, plus a minimum of 2 years of related work experience

• Experience supporting and optimizing metallurgical processing operations, including concentrate handling, smelting, converting, fire refining, and electro‑refining

• Experience leading technical or continuous improvement projects, including scope definition, execution, and performance verification

• Demonstrated capability in risk assessment, development of mitigation plans, and management of change processes

• Experience conducting statistical and data analysis using tools such as OSIsoft PI, JMP, HSC Chemistry, and FACTSage

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a matrix environment

What we offer
 

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus

• Access to top‑tier family‑friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits

• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; generous 401k matching program

• Attractive share ownership plan

• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave

• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family

• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges

Where you'll be working

Our Kennecott mine is a world‑class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

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

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.

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