Senior Engineer - Underground Mining
Join a critical industry at a pivotal time as copper plays an essential role in powering the world's growing demand for electrification and sustainable infrastructure. Accelerate your career by leading strategic mine planning initiatives, working alongside experienced technical professionals, and gaining exposure to large-scale mining projects and operational decision-making.
Build a rewarding career without compromising lifestyle, enjoying a modern mining opportunity that offers professional challenge, career progression, and the benefits of living in the vibrant Salt Lake City region. At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed.
We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other. About the role We are looking for a Senior Engineer – Underground Mining to support underground mine planning, design, scheduling, and optimization activities.
Reporting to the Principal Engineer – Underground Mine Planning, and working collaboratively with operational and functional teams, you will be responsible for: Leading long-range mine planning and scheduling activities across life-of-mine horizons using optimization tools and scenario modelling.
Developing integrated underground and open pit mine plans that optimize site-wide resource utilization. Planning and scheduling major underground infrastructure projects, including ventilation, pumping, dewatering, and paste fill systems. Ensuring short- and mid-range plans align with long-term planning objectives and strategic priorities.
Producing quarterly forecast and budget mine plans to support operational and business outcomes. Providing cost modelling, sensitivity analysis, and planning recommendations to support decision making. Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and driving the implementation of practical solutions.
Building strong stakeholder relationships while mentoring and developing less experienced engineers to ensure successful delivery of plans, schedules, and project outcomes. About you A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team. A tertiary qualification in Mining Engineering or a related discipline.
Demonstrated underground mining experience supported by a strong background in mine planning. Strong technical and operational understanding of underground mining practices and their impact on value chain outcomes. Proven ability to develop practical, innovative solutions to complex technical challenges.
Visionary, adaptive, and people-centric leadership aligned with Care, Courage, and Curiosity. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and influencing skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams.
Experience with CAD and mine scheduling software, including Deswik CAD, Deswik Sched, Deswik Stope Optimizer, and Schedule Optimization Tools (or similar software); related experience is considered advantageous. What we offer A work environment where safety is always the number one priority.
Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus. Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program. Attractive share ownership plan. Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family. Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing. Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.
Where you'll be working Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid.
Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production. 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 situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.
Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.