Lead Engineer Geotechnical

Lead Engineer Geotechnical – Open Pit

• Make a meaningful impact by contributing to the long-term design and stability of a world-class open pit operation
• Join a global mining leader known for innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence
• Be part of a diverse, high-performing team in a dynamic and inclusive work environment with strong cross-cultural collaboration

Join one of the world’s most exciting copper-gold mining projects

Oyu Tolgoi is one of the most exciting projects in copper and gold mining for several decades. It contains reserves and resources that make it one of the world’s largest known copper and gold deposits. The project, managed by Rio Tinto, is expanding underground. With a high demand of skills required to complete the project safely and successfully, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to be a significant contributor to Mongolia’s development and the prosperity of the Mongolian people.

Discover more about Mongolia and Oyu Tolgoi

Mongolia’s 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 about OT site, please check out this video.

As part of the Oyu Tolgoi Open Pit Mining Operations team, you’ll have the opportunity 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.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead Geotechnical Engineer to join the Open Pit Mine Technical Services (MTS) team at Oyu Tolgoi.

This is a key technical leadership role focused on supporting long-term open pit design and stability through the development and integration of robust geotechnical models, slope performance monitoring, and strategic planning. The position also plays a vital part in coaching and mentoring national geotechnical professionals, contributing to the long-term capability development of the team. The primary responsibility of the Lead Geotechnical Engineer is to provide expert geotechnical input into the life-of-mine (LOM) design of the Oyu Tolgoi open pit mine. This includes identifying and managing geotechnical risks, ensuring design recommendations are grounded in sound geotechnical analysis, and aligned with the operational and strategic objectives of the mine.

The role involves close coordination with Mine Planning and Geologyt eams, as well as external geotechnical consultants, to ensure that all slope designs and supporting models are practical, site-specific, and technically robust.

What the role entails

This role is a great opportunity to take the next step in your career on a truly global project. FIFO to site or FIFO internationally on 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off roster. The role will be reports to the Principal Geotechnical Engineer.

• Lead the development and delivery of long-term slope designs for the Oyu Tolgoi open pit mine.
• Ensure geotechnical considerations are appropriately integrated into pit designs, mine planning, and strategic studies.
• Maintain design compliance with Oyu Tolgoi’s slope design guidelines, geotechnical design criteria, and risk management framework.
• Manage scope, schedule, and quality of deliverables from external geotechnical design consultants, including hydrogeological and geotechnical modelling contractors.
• Facilitate effective communication between OT stakeholders and consultants to align expectations, data inputs, and outcomes.
• Review, interpret, and integrate external geotechnical and hydrogeological model outputs into internal design and planning processes.
• Overseeing the identification, assessment, and management of D3 hazards in the Open Pit area.
• Developing and implementing strategies to mitigate risks associated with slope instability, rockfall, and other geotechnical hazards.
• Provide geotechnical support and leadership to Life-of-Mine (LOM) planning, mid-to-long term scheduling, and trade-off studies.
• Guide the development and maintenance of geotechnical domain models, structural models, and hydrogeological models.
• Collaborate with Mine Engineering, Hydrogeology, Geology, and Slope Monitoring teams to ensure holistic, multi-disciplinary design integration.
• Present design updates and risks to Technical Services leadership and relevant OT forums.
• Assist to coordinate SRB (Slope Review Board) meeting and responsible for slope performance, conformance and related issues are discussed, and decisions are made.
• Overseeing Diamond and Depressurization drilling short term and long term plan
• Verify Final Wall Assessments to evaluate the stability and integrity of pit walls, providing recommendations for risk mitigation and remedial actions as necessary.
• Assist to collection and analysing of geotechnical drilling, core logging, structural mapping, hydrogeological, OBK data etc.
• Contribute to the review and update of the Slope/Dump Management Plan as required;
• Assist with QA/QC on all data collection and maintenance of databases;
• Data interpretation and reconciliation, and reporting;
• Identify best practice through experience, diverse learning opportunities, and accepting guidance and mentorship to Geotechnical Engineers

What you will need for this role

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent).
• 10+ years of relevant industry experience, with a strong focus on open pit geotechnical engineering.
• Proven experience in pit slope design, geotechnical risk management, and long-term mine planning integration.
• Strong working knowledge of rock mass characterization, structural geology, and hydrogeological impacts on slope stability.
• Proficiency in geotechnical design and modelling software such as FLAC3D, RS2, Slide2, or equivalent.
• Experience in coordinating and reviewing the work of external geotechnical and hydrogeological consultants.
• Solid understanding of mine planning frameworks, including how geotechnical input integrates into Life of Mine designs and schedules.
• Familiarity with slope monitoring technologies and interpretation of monitoring data for performance back-analysis and predictive modelling.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to work across disciplines to develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of presenting complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in multicultural teams and a commitment to supporting national talent development.
• Ability and willingness to work in a remote mining environment, with flexible work arrangements between site and Ulaanbaatar.

About us

As pioneers in mining and metals, we produce materials essential to human progress.

Our long history is filled with firsts. We’ve developed some of the world’s largest and best quality mines and operations, and our people work in around 35 countries across six continents. We’ve led the industry in partnerships, with customers in new markets, and with local communities.

We’ve pioneered technological innovations, such as our Mine of the Future™ programme and our low-CO2 aluminium from hydropower. And we’ve paved the way in areas such as safety, tax transparency and legacy management.

Inclusion & Diversity

We are a diverse team of talented, enthusiastic individuals who foster a culture of inclusion. No matter how they may differ, our people share one thing in common. It’s a belief that work is more rewarding when we are accepted and valued for our differences, not judged by them. We all have something to contribute, and it’s this contribution that makes for a great organization and fulfilling career.

So, if this sounds like you and the opportunity you are looking for, apply now.

Please note, in order to be successfully considered for this role you must complete all pre-screening questions.

If you would like to know more about careers at Rio Tinto Australia, you can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or join us on LinkedIn. 

Deadline of the advertisement is on 03 Oct, 2025

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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.

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