- Build your career through a role that can lead towards superintendent or principal advisor opportunities in projects or similar.
- Work in the Salt Lake City area, supporting Kennecott’s fully integrated operation with primarily local travel between Kennecott assets.
- Make an impact on the Surface Mine, supporting the safe integration and operational readiness of more than 120 pieces of heavy mining equipment over 5+ years.
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.
At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed. We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.
About the role
We are looking for a Senior Advisor Operational Engagement & Readiness – HME to support the Surface Mine project in preparing people, processes, systems and assets for safe startup, effective handover, successful ramp-up and sustainable mobile fleet operations. In this role, you’ll work across the project lifecycle, partnering with project delivery teams and operational asset owners to safely integrate new and replacement Heavy Mining Equipment into operations. This is an opportunity to contribute at both a strategic and tactical level, bringing together operational readiness, commissioning, assurance and cross-functional collaboration to support sustainable steady-state performance.
What you’ll be doing
Reporting to the Superintendent Projects & Consumables and working closely with project delivery teams and operational asset owners within the Surface Mine, you will be:
- Leading the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Operational Engagement & Readiness programs to support successful transition of projects into safe, sustainable operations.
- Partnering with project and operational stakeholders to incorporate operational requirements into project planning, design, execution, commissioning, startup and handover.
- Facilitating collaboration across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, HSEC, Supply Chain, Technology, vendors and project teams to achieve readiness objectives and operational outcomes.
- Leading readiness assessments, reviews and assurance activities to identify and mitigate risks, constraints and gaps that could affect operational acceptance, startup, ramp-up or long-term asset performance.
- Supporting operational processes, maintenance strategies, workforce readiness plans, training programs and management systems required for successful asset ownership and operation.
- Overseeing onsite assurance activities supporting vendor build, testing and readiness of Heavy Mining Equipment.
- Coordinating commissioning stages, including HME vendors, systems vendors and assurance against Rio Tinto standards.
- Providing leadership, coaching and subject matter expertise in Operational Engagement & Readiness while promoting safety, operational excellence, continuous improvement and value delivery.
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
- Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Experience influencing cross-functional teams and building alignment across operational, maintenance, project and technical stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing environment.
- Ability to operate independently with minimal guidance or supervision.
- Ability to prioritize effectively to support designs that are operable, reliable, maintainable and safe to operate.
- Experience coordinating with operational personnel and working across cross-functional teams, including communication and conflict resolution.
- Ability to read and understand complex mechanical, structural and civil engineering plans and specifications.
Helpful for Success
- 5+ years of related experience in commissioning, project management or operational readiness work.
- Broad understanding of operational and asset management functions, including Heavy Mining Equipment assets and associated maintenance strategies.
- A college degree in industrial engineering, project management, quality assurance, engineering or a related area.
- Mining knowledge or experience.
- Experience in heavy industry, mining, project management or related fields.
- Broad knowledge of project management, project controls, business improvement, contract management, risk management and change management.
- Understanding of SAP and commissioning systems at Rio Tinto, including the 14.6 Standard.
- Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and MS Project.
- Knowledge of the Bingham Canyon Surface Mine and Operations, including asset teams, the truck shop, key teams and how these groups interact.
What we offer
- A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
- Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
- Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
- Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.
- Attractive share ownership plan.
- Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
- A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.
- Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
- 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
Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.
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.
R69876
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

- 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.



















