Process Engineer (Smelter)
Rio Tinto Kennecott | Salt Lake City, Utah
- Support safe, stable and efficient smelter operations through daily process monitoring, analysis and improvement
- Build hands-on experience in process control, problem solving and improvement projects alongside experienced technical and operational teams
- Grow your engineering career with a global mining and materials company based in Salt Lake City, Utah
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 Process Engineer to support safe, stable and efficient operations at the Rio Tinto Kennecott Smelter. In this role, you will monitor process performance, analyze operating data and identify practical opportunities to improve safety, control, reliability and production outcomes over time.
You will also contribute to less complex engineering assignments, including equipment and process design support, optimization of existing assets, preparation of technical specifications and structured problem solving. This is a great opportunity to deepen your process engineering capability while working closely with operations, maintenance, technical specialists and project teams in a large-scale processing environment.
Reporting to the Superintendent, Process Engineering within the Smelter team, you will:
What you’ll be doing
- Track, interpret and communicate operational and process-control data, drawing conclusions and recommending actions based on your analysis.
- Identify and resolve process issues within an assigned area using established engineering procedures, analytical methods and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Manage the implementation of clearly defined improvement initiatives and smaller-scope projects, coordinating actions through completion.
- Provide practical technical support to supervisors, technicians and production teams, contributing credible engineering input to daily activities and project work.
- Support equipment and process design activities, asset optimization and preparation of technical scopes, specifications and engineering documentation.
- Prepare clear, concise reports and technical documents that explain findings, actions, risks and recommendations.
- Present proposed solutions, project updates and results to team members and operational stakeholders.
- Provide technical oversight to employees and contractors when required, reinforcing safe execution and alignment with approved work scopes.
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
- A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
- Engineering experience within a smelter, processing plant, manufacturing facility or another safety-critical industrial environment
- Experience analyzing operational or process data and translating findings into practical recommendations
- Ability to apply structured problem-solving methods and support defined engineering improvements or smaller-scope projects
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and operational stakeholders
Helpful for success
- At least two years of relevant process engineering experience
- Experience with daily process control, metallurgical processing, asset optimization or equipment and process design
- Experience preparing technical specifications, reports, scopes of work or project documentation
- Experience providing technical direction to employees or contractors during operational or project activities
What we offer
Be recognized for your contributions, innovative thinking and dedication, and leave each day knowing you have helped the world progress. We provide:
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
- Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience, with an annual incentive program for eligible employees
- Access to family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage and various voluntary benefits
- An excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution and a generous 401(k) matching program
- An employee share ownership program
- Comprehensive leave policies covering the moments that matter in life, including paid time off, paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
- A parental and caregiver leave program
- Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Personify Health with incentives supporting your wellbeing
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential support and expert guidance for you and your family
- Learning and career development support from experienced colleagues and industry specialists
Where you’ll be working
Rio Tinto Kennecott is a fully integrated copper mining operation located near Salt Lake City, Utah. The operation includes mining, concentrating, smelting and refining activities and produces copper and other materials that are essential to modern life. This role is based at the Kennecott Smelter and works closely with teams supporting safe and reliable processing operations.
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
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
R63551
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.
Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.
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.
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
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.