Specialist Geotechnical Engineer – West Angelas
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Opportunity to be a part of a large and established geotechnical community within Rio Tinto Iron Ore
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8/6 FIFO family-friendly roster
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Utilise your design experience in a role supporting the Pilbara operations
About the role
Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and high performing Specialist Geotechnical Engineer to join our technical services team on site. You will provide geotechnical recommendations to mine planning and studies, and ensure geotechnical residual risks are communicated to the operations for management during implementation.
We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting data and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining. We have technical development programmes that are industry-leading and recognise the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.
About you
With tertiary qualifications in Science, Earth Science or Engineering, you will have considerable experience in geotechnical data collection and geotechnical design. Post graduate qualifications in rock mechanics will be advantageous as will specific knowledge and experience with geotechnical design software such as Vulcan and Rocscience.
You will have excellent technical reporting writing skills, solid organisational skills and the ability to manage projects and prioritise work. A current C class driver’s licence will be required and design experience in the Pilbara or similar structurally complex terrains will be well regarded.
You will be responsible for:
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Operational designs and supporting the delivery of geotechnical designs
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Supporting geotechnical design for studies OoM, PFS and FS
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Operational geotechnical engineers – site based monitoring and ops engagement and reconciliation
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Complete and review open pit stability and geotechnical design assessments for operating mines and studies from conceptual stage to closure
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Derive material parameters from drilling and laboratory testing data, and assess geological, hydrogeological and structural information to formulate geotechnical models
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Conduct stability analysis and provide geotechnical design recommendations for open pits, waste dumps and land bridges
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Liaise with external consultants and project manage design studies to ensure fit for purpose design recommendations are provided and projects are completed on time and within budget
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Regular engagement with site based operational teams and technical specialists within the Mine Engineering team
What we offer
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A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
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Flexible working from home arrangements as per operational requirements
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18 weeks of gender-neutral and equal paid parental leave, with continued superannuation contributions whilst employees are on unpaid or half paid parental leave
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A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
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Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
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Attractive share ownership plan
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Company provided insurance cover
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Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
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Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
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Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
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Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
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Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more); and
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Local relocation packages offered for Australian residents only
Where you will be working
Located 110km west of Newman, West Angelas operates on a fly in fly out roster from Perth, Broome and Busselton.
West Angelas is a pioneer in autonomous technologies – we were the first site to trial autonomous haul trucks and incorporate autonomous drilling into our operations in 2008, and we continue to have one of the largest mining fleets in the Pilbara.
Our high grade, low phosphorous Marra Mamba orebody is an integral part of the Pilbara Blend, contributing both lump and fines products on around four trains each day. At the West Angelas hub there are state-of-the-art power generation and refueling facilities. These facilities supply power and diesel fuel to the East Pilbara mine sites.
The future is bright at West Angelas with ongoing growth projects at Deposits C and D, as well as additional deposits under study providing enormous opportunities for personal development and career growth.
Applications close on 10 July 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).
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.
Every Voice Matters
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ 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_POSTING-3-8707
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 and meet opportunities.
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 being 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 who we are.
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
Take a look at Shona’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2022 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Working in a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. Join us and experience:
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
02
Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
03
Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
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Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.