Specialist Geotechnical Assurance

Specialist Geotechnical Assurance - Perth

• Apply your technical skills to slope risk management on the largest scale

• Be part of a dynamic, high performing team with excellent career development opportunities

• Permanent full-time role based in Perth

About the role 

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore Operations and Technical Support (RTIO OTS) is responsible for the iron ore project pipeline from conceptual study through to execution for mines and other infrastructure in the Pilbara, including

projects at current operating sites and greenfield. OTS is also accountable for approvals, orebody

knowledge, planning/scheduling and asset delivery to support current operations and expansions. Rio Tinto also has a business-wide technical standard (D3) for slope risk management.

The Geotechnical Engineering team is placed within OTS’s Mine Technical Services and has a staff consisting of geotechnical engineers, structural geologists, project support staff and contractor staff. The D3 Risk, Assurance and Hydrogeology team consists of geotechnical engineering and hydrogeology subject-matter-experts who provide support and coaching to sites on industry best practice as well as within the 3 Lines of Defence program to ensure compliance with the Standard. The D3 team may also undertake projects that enable improvements in efficiency or practices relating to the D3 standard and associated geotechnical systems. All D3 staff are Perth based and work across several sites and projects each year, which includes regular site visits as required.

Reporting to the Principal Geotechnical Risk, Assurance and Hydrogeology, you will be responsible for:

• Geotechnical Assurance and Risk Management - ensure compliance with the HSEQ D3 Standard through site support, assurance visits, and reviews, addressing gaps and summarizing findings for management.

• Slope Monitoring and Performance Optimization - support slope monitoring, reporting, and design reconciliation by incorporating key geotechnical inputs and promoting data-driven decisions.

• Technical Guidance and System Support - develop and optimize technical processes and systems to enhance slope performance monitoring and geotechnical team capabilities.

• Operational and Procurement Support - facilitate geotechnical risk management, peer review practices, and efficient procurement processes to support monitoring and operational needs.

What you’ll bring    

• A commitment to the health and safety of yourself, your team, and the environment

• BEng in Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering or similar with strong mathematical background.

  • BSc in Geology or Engineering Geology with postgraduate qualifications in Mining Engineering or Geotechnical Engineering will also be considered

• Member of AusIMM (preferably Chartered Professional) or equivalent “Recognised overseas professional organisations” - desirable

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage geotechnical slope risk through assessments and controls

• Understanding of the residual risk to operations due to limitations of analytical & numerical modelling slope stability software

• Specialist knowledge of the advantages and limitations of slope monitoring technologies

• Understanding of mine planning drivers and practical physical constraints of large-scale open pit slope stability

• Specialist knowledge and experience with database systems and MS Power Platform

• Demonstrated ability to be able to influence other teams

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work within a dynamic team environment

• A manual ‘C’ class WA driver’s licence

If you are excited about the role and think you have what it takes but your experience doesn't align 100% we still want to hear from you.   

We are committed to promoting diversity within Rio Tinto and as a special measure to we strongly encourage women to apply.  

What we offer 

• Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your 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   

• Full relocation provided to Western Australia from elsewhere in Australia   

• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive bonus   

• 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, cultural leave)   

• To better suit different family needs, our paid parental leave approach gives all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives – at a time that suits them   

• Exclusive employee discounts including hotel stays, banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more

Where you will be working

You and your team will be Perth based with opportunity to work flexibly from home combined with time in our Central Park offices. This role will require ad hoc site travel.

Advertising closes for this role on 19th March 2025. (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)

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.

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.