Specialist Technical

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.
 

Specialist Technical (FIFO)

• Excellent opportunity to be part of a world-class underground mining project
• Great exposure and development opportunities within the Owner’s team
• Collaborative and high performing environment at an exciting location

About the role

We are looking for a Specialist Technical to join our diverse team. This is a key role within the Owner’s team with the responsibility for growing a diverse and capable team to continue the lateral and mass excavation development ramp up activities. 

The Opportunity

The Specialist – Technical contributes by supporting underground and surface operations through technical leadership, structured mentoring, and hands-on support for automation, control, and instrumentation systems. This role is critical to ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable operation of automated systems while building sustainable national capability in automation engineering and maintenance. Provide technical support, structured mentoring, and hands-on training for automation and control systems across underground and surface operations. This includes PLCs, HMIs, VSDs, and SIL-rated systems used in hoisting, ventilation, material handling, and mobile equipment. The Specialist ensures safe, compliant, and reliable operation of automation systems while supporting national workforce development through competency-based training, succession planning, and technical oversight. The role contributes to SPS maturity, CRI compliance, and long-term asset reliability by embedding best practices in diagnostics, programming, and system optimization.

What the role entails

This role is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career whilst working on a truly global project. Working 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off international FIFO roster, and reporting to Principal Advisor – Electrical, Instrumentation & Communication (Expat position), you will:

• Troubleshoot and maintain PLC/HMI systems (Allen Bradley, ABB, Siemens).
• Configure, optimize, and troubleshoot AC Motor Controllers and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs).
• Install, maintain, and configure Human Machine Interface (HMI) terminals.
• Support maintenance teams with complex fault diagnosis and resolution.
• Identify and address root causes of instrumentation and electrical performance issues.
• Maintain and document SIL-rated safety systems and functional safety compliance.
• Develop and deliver Safe Work Procedures (SWPs), Single Point Lessons, and training materials.
• Lead structured training and competency development for national automation engineers.
• Coordinate with OEMs and vendors for troubleshooting, upgrades, and technical support.
• Promote a strong safety culture and participate in Critical Risk Management (CRM) activities.
• Support shutdown planning and execution, ensuring readiness of automated systems.
• Assist in procedure development and safe work practices for automation and control operations.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, and vendors to ensure reliable system performance.
• Support both underground and surface automation systems as required.
• Lead skills development initiatives and contribute to structured succession planning for national automation personnel.

• Identify competency gaps and implement targeted training and coaching to uplift team capability.

What you will need for this role

• Minimum 10 years’ experience as an Automation & Control Specialist in a heavy industrial or mining setting
• Experience in supervisory roles is highly regarded.
• Dual electrical/instrumentation trade or equivalent automation engineering qualification (mandatory)
• Specialized training in automation systems, diagnostics, and functional safety
• Relevant OEM training certificates and/or recognized technical certifications
• Functional Safety Technician or Engineer (preferred)
• SIL-rated systems maintenance and documentation
• SAP or CMMS CMMS system training (preferred)

• Proven experience with:
• Mine shaft hoisting drives and control systems
• Material handling systems (crushing & conveying)
• Primary ventilation systems and associated control networks
• Maintenance and support of SIL-rated safety systems

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• International relocation and visa assistance if required
• Competitive package
• Career development to further your ambitions
• Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs
• 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)

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 copper and gold mining for several decades. The mine contains reserves and resources that make it one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits. 

This mega mining operation 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 open pit mine and camp is a large, well-run and comfortable site with multiple amenities including recreational and sports facilities, a cinema, shops, restaurants and bars catered to 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 mine with a brownfields 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. There is also the potential for 3 further block cave districts to increase mine life beyond 100 years.

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 Nov 13, 2025

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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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