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Lead the Mobile Equipment Maintenance (MEM) Planning & Engineering function and shape safe, reliable asset performance across site operations.
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• Influence maintenance strategy, coach capability and drive continuous improvement alongside leaders across the operation.
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• Enjoy a residential lifestyle opportunity in Pannawonica working a 9 day fortnight 5,2,4,3 roster (Monday to Friday / Monday to Thursday)
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the role
We are looking for a Superintendent Planning & Engineering to help the Mobile Equipment Maintenance (MEM) Planning & Engineering team deliver safe, reliable and effective asset performance.
In this role, you’ll contribute to fleet maintenance strategy, planning, scheduling and engineering outcomes while working closely with operational, maintenance, technical and central teams.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys leading people, solving complex operational challenges and strengthening capability across a site-based function.
What you’ll be doing
Reporting to the Manager Mobile Equipment Maintenance (MEM) and working within the MEM team, you will be:
• Lead and develop the Mobile Equipment Maintenance (MEM) Planning & Engineering team, fostering a strong safety culture and high levels of engagement.
• Drive short and medium term maintenance plans aligned with production requirements and asset strategies.
• Coordinate high-quality 24-hour and weekly maintenance plans and strengthen schedule inputs and plan compliance.
• Oversee work management governance, defect elimination and asset management standards across the site.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services and central teams to improve plant reliability and productivity.
• Monitor asset and team performance through key performance indicators, risk management and continuous improvement processes.
• Manage maintenance and engineering budgets, forecasts and financial outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership for root cause analysis, equipment failure investigations and long-term asset improvement plans.
About you
We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply, if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.
Required for Success
• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• Demonstrated experience leading planning, maintenance, engineering or asset management functions in mining, processing or another large-scale, safety-critical industrial environment.
• Experience coaching leaders, managing team performance and leading change in an operational setting.
• Practical knowledge of work management, asset management and maintenance planning principles.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting processes and business performance outcomes.
• A qualification in Mechanical, Electrical, Metallurgical or Process Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Helpful for Success
• Experience using MEM asset management systems such as SAP, Prometheus or similar platforms.
• Experience in Rio Tinto or a comparable large-scale resources environment.
• Relevant statutory appointments, licences or certifications associated with fixed plant operations.
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your 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
· A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
· A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
· Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
· Attractive share ownership plan
· Company provided insurance cover
· Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
· Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
· Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
· Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, personal & cultural leave)
· Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
· Possible domestic relocation assistance
Where you’ll be working
Located in the scenic Pilbara region and close to the major centre of Karratha, this vibrant town offers a sought-after lifestyle and affordable living in comfortable subsidised housing.
This is a great opportunity for you and your family to contribute to a unique community and enjoy a wide range of seasonal outdoor activities; allowing you to find the perfect balance between leisure and work.
The town of Pannawonica is supported by a resident doctor, an excellent primary school with options to undertake secondary school studies in a supervised distance education program, supermarket, and a local community gym and youth centre.
Applications will close on Wednesday 9th September 2026.
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.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 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 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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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.