Senior Geotechnical Engineer

• Grow your technical and leadership capability through complex underground geotechnical work, including hazard assessment, numerical modelling, ground support design and mentoring junior team members.
• Build your career at Kennecott, a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Make a meaningful contribution by helping operational and technical teams understand and manage geotechnical risks across mine development, infrastructure and production activities.

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.

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 seeking an enthusiastic and motivated underground Senior Geotechnical Engineer to help identify and manage geotechnical risks across mine development, infrastructure and production activities. This role offers the opportunity to apply underground hard rock mining experience, geotechnical analysis and practical problem-solving while collaborating with operational and technical teams. You will also make an important contribution by communicating geotechnical recommendations and supporting the development of junior geotechnical engineers and geotechnicians.

Reporting to the Superintendent Geotechnical Engineer and working collaboratively with operational and technical teams, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining the Ground Control Management Plan, Seismic Hazard Management Plan and geotechnical procedures.
• Developing and maintaining geotechnical databases to support analysis, design, risk management and reporting.
• Providing geotechnical recommendations for mine development, infrastructure and production sequences, including stope stability and vertical development assessments.
• Managing geotechnical drilling and data collection programs to improve understanding of rock mass conditions.
• Designing, implementing and managing geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs.
• Designing and reviewing ground support systems, including intersection and stope support systems.
• Conducting seismic hazard assessments and back analysis, using numerical modelling, empirical methods and geotechnical software to evaluate excavation stability and support performance.
• Collaborating with operations, mine planning, geology and other technical groups to identify and manage geotechnical risks, and clearly communicating recommendations to stakeholders.
• Mentoring and developing junior geotechnical engineers and geotechnicians.

About you

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant technical experience in an underground hard rock mine.
• Demonstrated understanding of underground mining methods and geotechnical hazard management.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with software including Rocsience (RocData, Dips, Unwedge), Leapfrog, IMS, mXrap and Deswik.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to operate vehicles in both underground and open-pit mine settings.

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.

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