Specialist Optimisation

Specialist Operations Research – Perth

• Bring your skills in Operations Research, Mathematical Optimisation, Simulation Modelling and Python development and apply them to one of the most exciting transformation projects in supply chain management.
• Diverse and challenging projects with our Knowledge, Innovation and Technology (KIT) division.
• Utilise your Operations Research experience to enhance our business decision making.
• Apply your Python coding skill to co-develop and support complex mathematical optimisation and simulation modelling systems towards optimal business outcomes.
• Work in a flexible work environment where we prioritise a healthy work/life balance

Where we’re all welcome

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.

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 acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together. 

About the Role

We have an opportunity for one Specialist Operations Research to work with challenging and exciting mathematical optimisation problems and positively impact the business while engaging with a team of technology experts across data science and simulation domains. This role will applying mathematical optimisation and coding skills to develop state-of-the-art optimisation outcomes to support business decision making. KIT is courageous in the pursuit of innovation, curious in the development of emerging technologies and caring of our people and relationships. You will be regularly challenged and given the support to drive your innovations!

Reporting to the Senior Optimisation Specialist, you will support the KIT Advanced Analytics team to design and continually improve products that solve business problems and provide insight to making improved decisions for our Iron Ore business. You will utilise your hands-on capability and skills in linear and mixed-integer programs along with experience in heuristics and discrete event simulation to:

• Help Rio Tinto Iron Ore modernise its integrated operations function by applying specialised operations research and mathematical optimisation approaches as a core member of the Future Scheduling Platform workstream.
• Build optimisation models and implement them in Python to support business requirements, designing and configuring to support their operation across the supply chain.
• Ensure best in class processes and techniques to develop, deploy, and refine optimisation solutions to the business.
• Ensuring models are sustainable and extensible and design can evolve with the business over time.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer to support the deployment and continuity of the optimisation products developed and ensure they are solving business problems.
• Foster an innovative and “disruptive” technology culture to identify and drive value-creating opportunities.
• Mentor and guide early career professionals to build their knowledge and capability in Operations Research.

What you'll bringIdeally, you will have a master qualification in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field, combined with experience in Operations Research and Simulation projects, preferably using agile methodologies.

You should also have experience with some or all of the below:

• Proficiency in a mathematical optimisation software package (ie. Gurobi, CPLEX, AIMMS, Pulp or Pyomo).
• Proficiency in Python.
• Knowledge in change control using Git and release pipeline experience using Azure DevOps.
• Demonstrated team player mindset, with a strong work ethic and ownership of work towards the successful completion of project work and towards a collaborative and supportive team culture.
• The ability to develop a deep understanding of the business process that underpins good optimisation outcomes.
• Demonstrated drive to work with and understand customers and end user problems.
• A passion for coaching and an improvement mindset to support the introduction of new ways of working.
• Experience managing and influencing stakeholders within cross functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose and logically resolve technical problems.
• Agile delivery and project management experience will be highly desirable.
• Software engineering experience desirable.

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.

Where you will be working

This role is based in Perth, Western Australia, out of our Operation Centre (Perth Airport) office, working Monday – Friday, with required time at our Central Park, Perth offices, and ad hoc travel to sites in the Pilbara. We support and encourage flexible working arrangements.

What we offer 

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Respect for others and an all-inclusive mindsetA 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.

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 and meet opportunities. 

This role is for applicants residing in or willing to permanently relocate to Western Australia.

Applications close on 14th November 2023 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)