- Join our Major Works team supporting shutdown and major maintenance activities across the Pilbara
- Permanent employment which includes a huge range of additional benefits.
- Enjoy an 8/6 FIFO roster while working alongside a team focused on safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.
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 seeking multiple Crane Operators to join our Major Works team supporting shutdown and major maintenance activities across Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations.
This is an excellent opportunity for experienced crane operators who thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy working across a variety of shutdown, maintenance and project based work. You will play a critical role in supporting the safe execution of lifting activities while working closely with supervisors and contractors across multiple operations.
Working as part of a highly skilled team, you will operate a range of lifting equipment while contributing to the safe and efficient delivery of major shutdown and maintenance events.
What you'll be doing
Reporting to the Supervisor Cranes you will:
- Promote and demonstrate a strong commitment to safety and compliance with Rio Tinto standards and procedures.
- Operate a variety of cranes including Franna cranes, slew cranes and larger mobile cranes supporting shutdown and maintenance activities.
- Perform lifting activities in accordance with lift plans and site requirements.
- Assisting with rigging duties.
- Actively using safety system and tools to ensure the safety of yourself and others
- Work collaboratively with maintenance, operations and contractor teams to safely execute planned work.
- Assist with shutdown and breakdown response activities as required.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and safe work practices across the team.
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 operating mobile cranes within mining, shutdowns, construction or heavy industry environments.
- High Risk Work Licence with relevant crane operating tickets.
- Current Rigging ticket.
- Experience operating Franna cranes and slew cranes.
- Ability to work effectively in a shutdown and maintenance environment.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Forklift Licence.
- An Australian "HR" Class Driver’s License, “MC” Licence desirable
Helpful for Success
- Experience operating larger mobile cranes ranging from approximately 130T to 300T capacity.
- MC Driver's Licence.
- Basic SAP experience
- Experience supporting large-scale shutdowns, major works or maintenance campaigns.
- Mining industry experience.
- Knowledge of lift planning and complex lifting activities.
- Experience working with contractors and multiple work groups in operational environments.
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 plus 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 and salary packaging options
- Career development and education assistance to further your technical and leadership ambitions
- Ongoing access to family-friendly health and wellbeing support
- Leave for all of life's reasons, including annual leave, parental leave, personal leave and cultural leave
- Exclusive employee discounts on banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more
- Domestic relocation assistance may be available
Where you'll be working
As part of Rio Tinto's Major Works team, you'll support the delivery of large-scale shutdown and maintenance activities across multiple Pilbara operations.
Working alongside experienced crane operators, riggers and maintenance professionals, you'll play a critical role in safely executing lifting activities that support major shutdowns and maintenance campaigns. No two days are the same, with opportunities to work across a variety of sites, equipment and projects while developing your skills within a high-performing team.
Applications close 29/10/2026
#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.
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.