Responsible Dam Engineer
Rio Tinto
Responsible Dam Engineer (Tailings & Water) | Weipa
Critical dam safety leadership role supporting Weipa operations and complex tailings & water assets
Key technical position aligned to Rio Tinto D5 Standard and GISTM, ensuring global best practice
Work alongside a global network of tailings and geotechnical experts across Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium
Influence major operational and sustaining capital decisions across TSFs and WSFs
About the role
All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you
We are seeking a Responsible Dam Engineer (RDE) to join our Tailings & Water function supporting Weipa operations. This is a critical technical leadership role providing site-based expertise to ensure the safe, compliant, and effective management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and water storage facilities (WSFs).
Working within a well-established global network of subject matter experts, you will contribute to the consistent application of best practice dam safety standards, including the Rio Tinto D5 Standard and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM).
Reporting to the Principal Adviser – Tailings & Water, you will work closely with site operations teams, sustaining capital projects, and external engineering consultants, including Engineers of Record.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing technical leadership to support safe operation and risk management of TSFs and WSFs
Supporting the D5 Nominated Manager to identify, assess and manage facility risks
Conduct dam inspections and surveillance, coordinate monthly dam safety reporting and facilitate tailings and water steering committee meetings
Ensuring site conformance with D5 governance, assurance and reporting requirements
Contributing to sustaining capital works, including design criteria, hazard classification and risk assessments
Leading technical evaluation of dam safety incidents and development of corrective actions
Coordinating independent technical reviews and engaging with Engineers of Record
Interpreting monitoring data and communicating risk insights to stakeholders
Maintaining critical dam safety documentation and risk registers
Supporting delivery of brownfield and greenfield tailings and water projects
About you
To be successful in this role, you will bring strong technical capability and demonstrated experience in tailings and water storage facility management within a complex operational environment.
You will have:
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Geotechnical or equivalent)
Minimum 10 years’ experience across the design, construction, operation or management of TSFs and WSFs
Strong geotechnical knowledge and tailings technical management expertise
Experience in dam break studies and consequence classification aligned to ANCOLD, DETSI or equivalent, and GISTM
Proven experience in undertaking or coordinating risk assessments (e.g. FMEA) and applying ALARP principles
Capability to investigate and manage dam safety incidents and implement corrective actions
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical information
Demonstrated stakeholder engagement capability across operations, projects and external consultants
A strong commitment to safety, risk management and Rio Tinto values
Where you will be working
This role is preferably residential in Weipa, Queensland, a unique coastal community in Far North Queensland offering a relaxed lifestyle and strong community connections.
Weipa operations are a key part of Rio Tinto’s aluminium value chain, with a focus on safe, sustainable operations supported by critical tailings and water infrastructure.
What we offer
Competitive salary and benefits aligned to a remote, residential Weipa role
Access to a global network of tailings and water technical experts
Opportunities to work across multiple operations and complex assets
Ongoing professional development and exposure to industry-leading standards and practices
A supportive environment focused on safety, collaboration and continuous improvement
#gts
About Rio TintoRio 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 InclusionAt 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.
