Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineer – Hope Downs

• Be part of a team that is safety-driven and values inclusion
• Access to industry-leading technical development programs
• Permanent employment which includes a huge range of additional benefits
• FIFO role on 8/6 roster from Perth or Busselton. Option to FIFO on 7/7 from Broome also

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. 

Rio Tinto’s Mine Technical Services team is looking to recruit an open pit mining experienced and tertiary qualified Geotechnical Engineer to join their highly specialised team supporting the Hope Downs operation in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

This vital role reports to the Senior Geotechnical Engineer and has key accountabilities including;

• Providing geotechnical support to the business and personnel of the mine operation and working with multiple stakeholders
• Proactively managing geotechnical hazards and risks through compliance with the Slope and Dump Management Plan (SDMP)
• Gathering geotechnical data by conducting wall mapping and UAV Photogrammetry for slope reconciliation reports
• Conducting geotechnical inspections and providing geotechnical advice to production and mine planning
• Undertaking design of the slope monitoring system including installation and performance management (usage of Radars and Trimble 4D)
• Providing input to drill and blast design to ensure wall control compliance 
• Carrying out operational design reviews of pits, dumps, and land bridges using the RocScience and similar applications
• Collaborating with multiple stakeholders from the site and Central technical teams

This position will be offered on a fly-in, fly-out roster of 8 days on, 6 days off out of Perth or Busselton, and will suit those currently living in WA or willing to relocate to WA on a permanent basis. 

What you’ll bring

With tertiary qualifications in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, or Geology you’ll also bring open pit mining geotechnical experience. Master in Geomechanics or a related field and experience with geotechnical software and hardware including RocScience, slope stability radars, and prism monitoring systems will be highly regarded.

You will have a strong commitment to the safety of yourself and your team and working knowledge of business and mining software such as Vulcan, geotechnical design packages (RocScience), and Microsoft Office suite.

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, thinking, and 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 with 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 & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance

Applications close on 30 May 2023 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).

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 almost 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.

Where you’ll be working

In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we own an integrated portfolio of iron ore assets: a world-class, integrated network of 16 mines, four independent port terminals, a 1,700 kilometre rail network and related infrastructure – all designed to respond rapidly to changes in demand. We are one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of iron ore.

Located 100km north-west of Newman, Hope Downs 1 offers a range of fly-in fly-out rosters and is managed and operated by Rio Tinto and will work in conjunction with nearby site Hope Downs 4.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ 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.