An inclusive environment for all
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where employees feel comfortable being themselves. We also want everyone to feel that their voices matter, that all cultures are respected, and that perspectives, as diverse as they are, are not only welcome, but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other distinguishing aspect.
At Rio Tinto, we welcome and encourage applications from women, older workers, persons with disabilities and representatives from diverse backgrounds.
Everyone is different, and we believe that these differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances the way we work and our ability to succeed together.
Job Title: Principal Advisor – Mobile Equipment Maintenance (MEM)
Position Summary:
The Principal Advisor MEM serves as the senior technical authority for leading and coordinating maintenance activities to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Heavy Mobile Equipment (HME). The role provides expert guidance to maintenance teams, contractors, and work execution processes while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and operational standards. The Principal Advisor works to optimize MEM performance, improve work output, reduce operating costs, and fleet reliability.
The incumbent works closely with MEM leadership, technical teams, mine operations, and project stakeholders to identify opportunities for operational excellence and support strategic business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the MEM senior leadership team to manage maintenance teams across Heavy Mobile Equipment (HME) fleets.
- Lead technical investigations and troubleshooting of major failures and maintenance process performance issues.
- Develop strategies to optimize MEM performance, improve work output, fleet reliability, and reduce operating costs.
- Ensure maintenance standards are aligned with industry best practices and company standards.
- Analyze fleet performance data and identify improvement opportunities.
- Benchmark fleet performance against internal and external industry standards.
- Facilitate root cause analysis for major equipment failures, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Monitor maintenance costs and contribute to budget planning, forecasting, and cost control.
- Provide technical leadership for maintenance and reliability activities for HME, including haul trucks, excavators, loaders, graders, dozers, drills, water carts, and ancillary mining equipment.
- Promote a strong safety culture throughout MEM.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, regulatory, and company standards.
- Participate in risk assessments and hazard identification programs.
- Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, equipment suppliers, and mining operations.
- Provide mentorship and technical coaching to Superintendents and Specialists.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, Heavy Equipment Engineering, Heavy Duty Fitter Trade Qualified, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 8 – 12 years of experience in a maintenance leadership, superintendent-level or manager-level role.
- Proven experience managing Heavy Mobile Equipment fleets, including haul trucks, excavators, loaders, dozers, drills, graders, and support equipment.
- Strong understanding of asset management, fleet maintenance planning, budgeting, and workforce management.
- Strong knowledge of OEM maintenance practices for Caterpillar, Komatsu, Hitachi, Liebherr, Epiroc, Sandvik, or equivalent equipment.
- Experience developing and implementing maintenance and reliability strategies to improve fleet availability and equipment performance.
- Understanding of fleet performance metrics including availability, utilization, MTBF, MTTR, component life, and maintenance cost control.
- Proven ability to lead safety initiatives and foster a strong safety culture.
- Experience using CMMS and fleet management systems such as SAP PM, Ellipse or equivalent.
- Strong stakeholder management, leadership, coaching, and decision-making skills
- Experience influencing senior operational and corporate stakeholders.
Other Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Language: English required; French desirable.
- Ability to work in remote mining environments and travel as required.
- Commitment to safety and continuous improvement.
- Due to the remote location and travel time this role requires personal circumstances that are stable and well supported (dependents need to have support in place when employee is away from home).
What we offer
Get recognition for your contributions, your ability to think, your hard work, and the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped the world move forward.
- Work environment where safety is always the top priority
- Competitive base salary based on your skills and experience
- Annual cash incentives for eligible employees
- Career development opportunities and training assistance to achieve your aspirations • Access to family-friendly health programs, top-notch retirement and savings plans
- Wellness benefits
- Rio Tinto's generous employee stock ownership plan
- Employee Assistance Program
- One-on-one wellness support (personal and professional matters) for you and your family
- Comprehensive leave policy covering all important life moments (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, etc.)
About the Simandou Project
The Simandou Iron Ore Project is located in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa. It is Africa’s largest infrastructure and mining project and represents one of the largest known reserves of high-grade iron ore in the world.
Rio Tinto holds rights to Simandou Blocks 3 and 4 through SimFer, a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH). Construction of the mine, together with the associated rail and port infrastructure, is well underway with first production from the SimFer mine expected in 2025.
About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a global leader in the mining and materials companies. We are established in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and the prosperity of people, communities, and nations. We have been in business for 150 years, drawing on knowledge accumulated over generations and on different continents. Our mission – to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs – guides us in our quest for innovation and continuous improvement, with the goal of making products that are low in emissions and meet the right environmental, social and governance standards. But because we can't do it alone, we focus on creating partnerships that allow us to solve problems, create mutually beneficial situations and seize opportunities.
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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 LGBTQ+ 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.
Start your application
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 Katie’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 – 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
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.
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.
05
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.