Specialist Process Engineer – Carbon
NZAS – New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
Tiwai Point, Invercargill | Permanent Role
Optimise industrial processes at one of the world’s most efficient aluminium smelters — with purpose, challenge, and impact.
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Permanent employment with a global business which includes a huge range of additional benefits
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full-time role, based in beautiful Invercargill, New Zealand, – relocation provided (if required)
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Flexible working arrangements with a supportive leadership team dedicated to your growth.
About the Role
At NZAS, we operate one of the world’s most efficient aluminium smelters — powered almost entirely by renewable hydroelectric energy. The Specialist Process Engineer has key accountabilities of managing critical process variables associated with the production and baking of anodes, ensuring that a quality product is delivered to our customers on time and meets customer expectations.
This is a leadership, technically focused role where you’ll apply your engineering expertise to optimise existing assets, solve operational challenges, and contribute to the design and implementation of process improvements. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production — using data-driven insights and practical problem-solving to make a real impact.
This role has, input to the budgeting and cost management of the Department and includes accountability for the overall strategic planning and technical aspects, monthly reporting and forecasting for the Carbon Department.
What You’ll Be Doing
Reporting to the Manager, Carbon and working alongside a passionate team, you will:
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Track and analyse operational data to identify trends, draw conclusions, and make recommendations.
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Solve process-related issues using standard engineering methods and procedures.
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Manage the implementation of projects and improvement initiatives.
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Act as a trusted technical resource for supervisors and technicians.
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Influence peers and leaders by contributing valuable insights to projects and daily operations.
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Demonstratable analytical and strategic skills, project management skills, leadership skills including coaching and development of team members.
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Responsibility for identification, reporting and responses to plant and process variations.
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Interpersonal skills, including effectively working with multiple teams.
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Strong coaching focus for the on-going development of the Carbon technical team, including graduates.
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Develop your understanding of problem-solving and project management methodologies.
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Prepare clear, concise reports and documentation outlining actions and recommendations.
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Provide technical support to production teams and supervise contractors or employees when required.
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Present proposed solutions and results to team members and stakeholders.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for a motivated and analytical engineer with a passion for continuous improvement. You’ll bring:
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A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering (or related discipline) OR relevant work experience in a similar role.
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Minimum 4+ years of experience in a refinery, manufacturing, or processing facility.
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Strong data analysis skills — including Excel, statistical tools, and process variable trending.
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A hands-on approach and willingness to work in a heavy industrial environment.
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Familiarity with systems such as MS Office, Minitab, and OSIsoft Pi.
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Experience working in cross-functional teams to solve process optimisation challenges.
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Effective leadership skills for self and team development
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Strong health and safety mindset – including psychological safety
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Ability to set and maintain high work standards
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Possess excellent communication skills
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LEAN Green belt training, highly regarded
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Exposure to Power BI, control logic or DCS systems (advantageous).
What We Offer
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A technically engaging leadership role with real-world impact on operations and performance
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Competitive salary and benefits — including insurance, superannuation, and flexible leave options
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Career development and technical progression pathways within Rio Tinto
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A strong safety culture and values-driven team environment
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A unique lifestyle opportunity in one of New Zealand’s most scenic regions — powered by hydroelectricity
Where You’ll Be Working
NZAS is based at Tiwai Point, near Invercargill — a friendly, close-knit community at the southern tip of Aotearoa New Zealand. Invercargill offers a relaxed lifestyle, affordable living, and easy access to some of the country’s most spectacular natural landscapes. You’ll be just two hours from Queenstown — with world-class skiing, hiking, biking, and wineries at your doorstep.
Our site is operated by Rio Tinto and produces some of the world’s lowest-carbon aluminium. As a Process Engineer, you’ll be part of the team that ensures our operations remain efficient, sustainable, and future-ready.
Ready to Engineer What’s Next?
If you’re a proactive, solutions-focused engineer ready to take the next step in your career — we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and energise your next chapter with NZAS.
We value every voice. NZAS is proud to foster a culture of inclusion, safety, and integrity — and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
#gts
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 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_POSTING-3-9424
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 our Operations teams
The most important thing you’ll uncover is your own potential.
Working in Operations at Rio Tinto means you can make a hands-on difference in the discovery and delivery of the materials that make human progress possible. In return, we strive to help you achieve and even exceed your career goals. Join us and experience:
Our application process
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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.
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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.
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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.