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Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
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Opportunity to travel across the United States, working directly in the field and contributing to exploration programs across diverse project locations.
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Role is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, with domestic relocation support available.
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 Senior Geoscientist to identify and evaluate exploration targets and support the discovery of ore bodies with the potential to deliver large, low-cost, long-life operations.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Geoscientist to contribute to value creation through disciplined area selection, safe and efficient project execution, and clear decision-making that supports advancing or exiting projects based on results.
Reporting to Exploration Manager – USA, and working in a collaborative community, you will be:
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Leading and executing field-based exploration programs, providing high-quality geoscience input from program design through to field delivery, interpretation, and recommendations.
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Planning and delivering mapping, sampling, geophysics, and drilling programs safely, on time, and within budget while ensuring strong data collection and QA/QC standards.
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Translating exploration concepts into practical field plans and adapting programs based on results, field observations, and emerging geological insights.
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Integrating field data, observations, and assay results to refine geological understanding and advance priority targets toward drill testing.
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Leading, supervising, and mentoring a small team of geoscientists, setting clear priorities and supporting safe, effective field execution.
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Managing contractors and service providers to ensure safe performance and delivery against scope, budget, schedule, and project objectives.
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Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including technical, HSE, land, and permitting, to align field activities, monitor project performance, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver clear recommendations that support timely progress and decision-making.
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Mentor and develop early-career geoscientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, capability development, and continuous improvement
About you
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A strong commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Geology, Geoscience, or related discipline
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~8–10+ years’ experience with a strong focus on field-based exploration and program execution
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Demonstrated experience leading small field teams and managing contractors in remote environments, with the ability to coordinate logistics, budgets, and schedules to deliver safe and efficient field programs.
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Proven capability to plan and execute exploration programs, including mapping, geochemistry, geophysics, drilling, logging, sampling, and QA/QC workflows.
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Strong technical understanding of mineral systems, particularly major copper mineralization styles, with the ability to apply this knowledge to exploration targeting.
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Ability to integrate and interpret field, geochemical, geophysical, drilling, and assay data to refine targets and guide ongoing exploration programs.
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Strong working knowledge of geological software and data management systems, supported by effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
What we offer
Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
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A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
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Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
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Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
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Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.
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Attractive share ownership plan.
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Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
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A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.
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Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
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Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.
Where you’ll be working
Rio Tinto Exploration strives to be the world’s best explorer, building on a 70-year legacy of transformative discoveries. With explorers operating in more than a dozen countries across the globe, we’re actively pursuing opportunities in our core commodities whilst also being opportunistic in identifying other valuable minerals that underpin modern life and economic development.
Our global exploration team plays a pivotal role in discovering and safely delivering high-quality growth options for Rio Tinto. With diverse expertise across geoscience, technology, land access, data and information.
management, logistics and operations, communities and social performance, commercial and more, we work collaboratively to unlock value responsibly and sustainably, wherever we operate.
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.
R59789
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 Shona’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 – PresentGeneral Manager Weipa OperationsWeipa, Far North Queensland, Australia
- 2020General Manager Bell Bay AluminiumLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2017Metal products DepartmentBoyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2014Reduction line Manager – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2012Services department Manager Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2011Manager Health, Safety, Environment and business improvement Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2010Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Boyne SmeltersGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2009Operations SuperintendentGladstone, Queensland, Australia
- 2005Operations SuperintendentLaunceston, Tasmania, Australia
- 2004Graduate EngineerLaunceston, Tasmania, 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 a technical role at Rio Tinto
Your advanced expertise will help drive human progress.
We’ve developed technical capabilities through nearly 150 years of discovering, planning, and operating mines in every corner of the world. We’re an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most sophisticated tools and robust data on the planet. 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.