Geotechnical Engineer

Tailings Geotechnical Engineer

• Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and metals company where safety comes first
• Help shape the future of one of the world’s most iconic mining operation through tailings geotechnical work that directly supports safe, reliable, and responsible tailings storage facility performance.
• Join a technically strong and supportive team that encourages innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Permanent role based in Salt Lake City, Utah

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 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 Geotechnical Engineer to support Kennecott’s tailings storage facilities through geotechnical analysis, monitoring, design review, risk management, and engineering work that underpins safe and reliable tailings operations.

This is a great opportunity for a collaborative and technically strong professional to contribute to tailings dam safety, embankment performance, instrumentation monitoring, water and deposition management, and continuous improvement at a world-class mining operation in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reporting to the Superintendent, Tailings Technical and working in a collaborative and technically focused team within the tailings geotechnical function, you will be:

• Support geotechnical monitoring of the TSF through field data collection, inspections, and basic assessments.
• Process, review, and maintain monitoring and instrumentation data, ensuring accuracy and organization.
• Identify anomalies, trends, or deviations and escalate concerns to senior engineers and Engineer of Record.
• Assist with troubleshooting and maintenance of instrumentation and telemetry systems.
• Support construction quality control reviews to ensure alignment with design requirements and standards.
• Contribute to technical reporting, including quarterly monitoring reports and annual construction report.
• Collaborate with operations, environmental teams, and site personnel to address routine technical issues and support TSF performance.
• Assist senior engineers and the Engineer of Record by compiling data, preparing summaries, and tracking geotechnical performance indicators (KPIs).

About you

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Degree qualification in Geotechnical, Mining or Civil Engineering
• Has completed 3 years of graduate training on site/s.
• Proven experience in tailings storage facilities, embankment design, dam safety, geotechnical monitoring, or waste management
• Demonstrated experience in tailings facility stability analysis, seepage assessment, instrumentation interpretation, or geotechnical risk management
• Ability to adapt to changing business conditions and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• A track record of generating practical and innovative solutions to multi-faceted technical challenges
• Strong leadership, technical writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly capture and communicate technical understanding.

If you’re interested in this role and believe you can contribute, we would be delighted to receive your application, even if your profile does not match 100% of the qualifications.

What we offer  

Be recognized 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
• 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 operation is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a mine, concentrator, smelter, refinery and tailings storage facility, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. The tailings technical team supports the safe, reliable, and responsible management of tailings storage facilities that are critical to ongoing operations, long-term planning, and our commitment to care for people, communities, and the environment.

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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