- Shape risk-informed investment decisions across acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, studies and major growth opportunities.
- Apply technical judgement to challenge reference cases, identify material risk and unlock mine-development value.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary expertise and strengthen a scalable Technical due diligence capability across Rio Tinto Copper based in Salt Lake City, Utah
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the 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 Principal Advisor, Technical Due Diligence & Mine Optimisation to strengthen a rapid, scalable and decision-focused technical due diligence capability within Rio Tinto Copper’s Surface Mining and Strategic Production Planning team.
This influential individual-contributor role sits at the intersection of technical excellence, commercial decision-making and risk management. Working through technical credibility, collaboration and influence, you will bring together multidisciplinary expertise and turn incomplete information into clear, decision-useful insights for senior leaders and investment teams.
You will challenge reference mine plans, test credible alternatives and connect technical uncertainty to implications for value, execution, schedule and optionality. You will also help establish practical methods, tools and ways of working that improve the consistency, pace and quality of due diligence across the opportunity portfolio.
Reporting to the General Manager, Surface Mining and SPP, you will:
- Frame material investment questions and determine the appropriate depth of technical analysis, from rapid screening to deeper strategic optimisation.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary technical reviews and integrate findings into concise, evidence-based advice.
- Challenge vendor, partner, study and internal assumptions, clearly separating facts, assumptions, uncertainty, material risks, opportunities and residual exposure.
- Interrogate mine plans and development cases, including scale, sequencing, cut-off strategy, mining rate, capital timing, operating constraints and expansion pathways.
- Develop central, downside and upside cases and test alternative mine-development strategies where these may materially change value or risk.
- Work with Business Analysts so that key technical assumptions, ranges and sensitivities are appropriately reflected in valuation models.
- Strengthen Technical DD methods, templates, lessons learned and capability across the broader technical organisation.
- Shape digital and AI-supported workflows that improve speed, evidence management and traceability while preserving professional judgement.
- Communicate complex technical issues in clear commercial language and provide constructive challenge to senior technical, commercial and business stakeholders.
What you'll bring
- A bachelor’s degree in mining, engineering, geoscience or another relevant field associated with mining or other asset-intensive industries.
- Significant senior experience across mining, project development, operations, engineering, technical studies, strategic planning or related disciplines.
- Experience in technical due diligence, project evaluation, technical assurance or investment assessment for complex opportunities.
- Broad understanding of mine-development value drivers and the ability to integrate mining with geotechnical, water, tailings, processing, infrastructure, environmental, closure and execution considerations.
- Demonstrated ability to challenge mine plans and technical assumptions, frame credible alternatives and connect technical findings to valuation and investment decisions.
- Sound judgement in risk, uncertainty and opportunity assessment, including the ability to match analytical effort to decision materiality.
- Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary expertise and influence outcomes across organisational boundaries.
- Exceptional communication skills, high integrity and confidence to provide balanced, independent and constructive challenge.
Where you will be working
The Surface Mining and SPP team helps shape the future of Rio Tinto Copper. The team works across a diverse portfolio of growth opportunities and partners with Growth and Development, Business Development, Technical Studies, Legal, Finance, Commercial, operations and external advisors to assess investment opportunities, manage risk and support disciplined capital allocation.
This role is based in Salt Lake City and reports to the General Manager, Surface Mining and SPP. It offers the opportunity to influence high-value decisions, work across global teams and strengthen how Rio Tinto Copper identifies technical risk and creates value from future opportunities.
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.
R68035
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.