Instrumentation and Electrical Superintendent

Instrumentation & Electrical Superintendent

• Lead a skilled team responsible for critical electrical and automation systems at one of Rio Tinto's most important industrial operations
• Build a strong safety-first culture while developing supervisors and craftspeople in a high-impact leadership role
• Join a global mining and materials leader offering career growth, innovation, and opportunities to make a lasting difference in Boron, California
• For California-based roles, the expected salary range is $125,440 – $172,480.

About the role

We are looking for an Instrumentation & Electrical Superintendent to provide leadership for our Instrumentation and Electrical team and help maximize the performance, reliability, and safety of our operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader who enjoys developing people, driving operational excellence, and creating value through safe and disciplined execution.

In this role, you start the day in the field with your supervisors, discussing safety observations, reviewing priorities, and ensuring the team has what they need to succeed. Critical maintenance activities are progressing safely, electrical and instrumentation systems are performing reliably, and your team is proactively identifying opportunities to improve performance. Throughout the day, you collaborate with operations, technical specialists, and maintenance teams to solve challenges, develop people, and remove barriers to execution. You leave knowing your leadership helped create a safer, more efficient operation while supporting the growth of your team.

However, not every day goes according to plan. An unexpected equipment failure, control system issue, or changing operational priority may require rapid decision-making and close coordination across multiple teams. In these moments, you help your team stay focused, communicate clearly with stakeholders, and prioritize work that protects people, production, and assets. By remaining calm under pressure and maintaining a safety-first mindset, you help the operation navigate challenges while building trust and confidence within your team.

Reporting to the Refinery Services Manager and leading a team of front-line supervisors and approximately 40 skilled craftspeople, your responsibilities will include:

• Lead and develop supervisors and tradespeople while fostering a strong safety culture
• Drive reliability, performance, and continuous improvement across electrical and instrumentation systems
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and value generation
• Partner with technical specialists and cross-functional teams to solve complex operational challenges
• Coach and mentor team members to support growth, engagement, and high performance
• Promote effective problem-solving, decision-making, and accountability at all levels
• Build a culture of ownership, care, and pride in facility operations and maintenance
• Ensure work is executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company and regulatory requirements

About you

We are looking for a collaborative leader who combines technical expertise with a passion for developing people and improving operational performance.

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related technical discipline
• Leadership experience in mining, manufacturing, refining, or other heavy industrial environments
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, instrumentation, and maintenance best practices
• Experience with industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, Drives, and SCADA platforms
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively and lead diverse, cross-functional teams

It will be beneficial if you also have:

• Knowledge of MSHA regulations and mining industry requirements
• Experience leading large maintenance or reliability teams
• A track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence

Even if your experience doesn't perfectly match every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe that transferable skills and potential are just as important as direct experience.

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your way of 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

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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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