Senior Software Engineer - Automation - ADS

Senior Software Engineer – Automation (ADS)

• Great opportunity to join a global leader in mining
• Excellent work environment where people are valued and respected
• Work in a fast-paced environment with lots of opportunity for exposure to both highly visible projects and cutting-edge technology
• Permanent, Perth based role

All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you.

Rio Tinto has a long history of being a leader in innovation and the development and deployment of technology within the mining industry. Innovation will continue to play a critical role in improving health and safety outcomes, delivering new mines of the future and decarbonising the industry.

The Technology Development team in Group Technical – Services and Delivery works across a broad range of unique mining technologies that include machine automation projects such as the Autonomous Drilling System, real-time data platforms and 3D visualisation systems.

About the role

Reporting to the Principal Advisor – Software Engineering, we are looking for an experienced Software Engineer to join an established development team tasked with the ongoing development of the Autonomous Drilling System (ADS). Tasks will vary from improvements in associated positioning and sensing systems to scoping, developing and implementing new system capabilities, such as enabling ADS to operate on new drill types or to perform new functions.

About you:

• Commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• A willingness to learn from and collaborate with the broader team and external stakeholders
• Experience developing complex applications in C++
• Python development
• Linux (ssh, bash, and general use)
• Care for user needs, stakeholder interests and developer experience

The following technical skills and areas of expertise will be highly regarded:

• Sensing technologies (e.g. LIDAR, machine vision)
• Communications technologies (e.g. TCP/IP, Ethernet, WiFi)
• GNSS/GPS technologies
• Understanding and experience with distributed systems
• Software development for safety-related systems

To be considered for this role, you will have the following qualifications and experience:

• Demonstrable experience and skill in delivering usable, maintainable, quality software
• A number of years in a professional software engineering role
• Undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science is preferred
• Contemporary software development lifecycle practices for task management, source code version control, continuous integration and unit testing

About Rio Tinto 

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls ‘progress’ begins with a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers. 

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers – generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress. 

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium – the world’s first to be certified “responsible” – helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities and our boron helps feed the world, and explore the universe. 

Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life. 

Where you will be working

You’ll be part of a small Perth-based team of experienced engineers. We have extensive software, hardware, mechatronic and project delivery skills. Our team prides itself on delivering technology that is used and respected in the field, as well as demonstrating professionalism as we address issues, add features and listen to our users.

The Development and Technology group operates through the entire life cycle of Rio Tinto’s mines and assets, creating value through exploration, project development and technical excellence. Working in close partnership with all product groups, it focuses on finding safer, smarter and more efficient ways to manage resources and operations.

Occasional travel may be required as and when necessary.

What We Offer

• 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 programme
• 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

Every Voice MattersAt 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.