Principal Data Scientist - People Data & Analytics

• Use your data science expertise to take our business to the next level and help create a long-lasting positive legacy
• Join a high performing and caring team, committed to your growth and development
• Play an important role in a global team working across multiple product groups and functions
• Permanent opportunity based in Brisbane or Perth

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

We are looking for a Principal Data Scientist - People Data & Analytics with a focus on Product Management across a range of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence opportunities.

This is a great opportunity for a highly analytical leader with curiosity around what makes people tick to lead a growing team of Data-Scientists in our global People Data and Analytics team. As the preferred candidate, you are passionate about Maths & Statistics and love to make a positive impact to the business. You will support your team in building a strong product mindset, focusing on creating solutions that matter for users that genuinely care about the outcomes. You will mentor, grow, and develop a team of skilled Data Scientists and Graduates, and a broader community of 'Citizen Data Scientists' and Analysts across the enterprise.

Data is one of our most important assets: behind each of our operations and projects are technological innovations and data science products that are driving new standards in the way we care for our people.

Reporting to the Manager, Data & Insights, and working in collaboration with a range of product groups within Rio Tinto, you will have the opportunity to:

• Leverage your creativity, discovering new opportunities for Data Science product development in complex, data-rich environments.
• Support your team in shaping Data Science products, from initial vision and technique selection through to assurance and reproducibility strategies.
• Mentor and grow our Data Scientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and product driven thinking in our team.
• Evolve and socialise our Data Science, Product Quality Management, Assurance, and Knowledge Management processes within the organisation.
• Focus on Safety, Ethics, Cybersecurity, and IP, in the context of both Data Science and the broader Rio Tinto.
• Help shape our practices in Data Science experimentation, reproducibility, observability, and assurance
• Engage and work with a global team of technology experts consisted of Data Engineering, Product Delivery & Cloud Engineering teams, and a broader community of end users, SMEs, and technical peers

What you'll bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science or related fields, combined with several years of experience in Human Resources as well as Data Science and Advanced Analytics
• Demonstrated experience in shaping and leading product-delivery teams, with a focus on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence solutions
• An ability to identify new opportunities for the application of advanced analytics across a range of industrial and enterprise solution spaces
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to lead technical discussions and engage with a variety of technical and non-technical stakeholders

A mix of the following skills would also be a compliment for the role:

• Data exploration, analysis, and modelling skills in languages such as R, Python, and Java
• Experience with common data-science libraries, experimentation environments, and frameworks
• Exposure to cloud platforms and remote compute environments such as AWS and Azure (e.g., Sagemaker, Databricks, AzureML)
• Awareness of software development practices and lifecycles related to ML and AI

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, thinking and 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
• Work in a flexible work environment where we prioritise a healthy work/life balance
• 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
• Employee share ownership plan
• 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)

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 almost 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.

Where you will be working

The People function supports over 50 000 employees in 35 countries globally and operates out of three business hubs in Brisbane, Perth and Montreal. People Data and Analytics roles have diverse, multi-industry backgrounds and comprehensive skills in the fields of Data Science, Advanced Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning, AI and Research combined with Data Engineering, Reporting Insights and Visualisation These skills are used to turn data into information that can be used to make improved evidence-based decisions for responsible investment in our people.

You will be encouraged to collaborate and to be continually improving and sharing your skills and knowledge across the team. We accept that no-one can know everything, which is why team working is so important to us. We are looking for someone with curiosity for the unknown, self-awareness and humility to admit what you don't know but share what you do - and an energy to keep learning and building your skills.

Every Voice Matters

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 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.