Principal Metallurgist (Pyro)

Principal Metallurgist (Pyro) or (Process Engineer Pyro)

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Join an encouraging leadership group, committed to your growth and development
• Diverse & challenging projects with our Process Operations team
• Located in beautiful Salt Lake Valley UT
• H Band (Internal)

About the role

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

We are seeking a Principal Metallurgist (Pyro), whose job title in RTKC is Principal Advisor - Metals Technical, that will focus on business improvement, plant optimization projects (such as process and production optimization, unit operation improvements, etc.), Human Factors, and support of Operations and Asset Integrity. Also coordinates with Engineering Services, Process Safety Management, and operations leadership to optimize process operation and help with systems to manage key areas for equipment integrity and safe operation.

Reporting to the Manager- Metals Technical, and working in a collaborative community you will:

• Provide support for Smelter operations in all aspects to achieve safe production goals whilst improving cost and maintaining a zero-harm work environment.
• The Principal Advisor is responsible for both maintaining and improving the safe operation of critical equipment in which spans both chemical and pyro-metallurgical processes. This would entail supporting peers across the Metals business to make operational and process improvements.
• Be the Molten Metal risk custodian in support of the Rio Tinto Group Molten Materials Standard. Participate in operational risk assessments and the development of operating procedures for required activities to meet a risk profile acceptable to Rio Tinto Kennecott Copper (RTKC).
• Provide leadership and development for a team of Metallurgists/Process Engineers.
• Undertake regular inspection of works to ensure that all standards, policies, and procedures comply within the operations area.
• Aid start-up and commissioning activities to avoid plant start-up delays and/or shutdowns.
• Plan and report on activities around operating and /or maintenance constraints.
• Identify and justify continuous improvement opportunities which arise. Scope and execute these projects.
• Keep abreast of contemporary smelting technologies.
• Utilize, and teach the use of, software packages such as HSC Sim and FactSage
• Maintain a profile, internal & external, to ensure that Rio Tinto Kennecott Smelter can be at the forefront of worldwide Smelting and Acid Plant operations.

What you'll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• The candidate will have minimum 10 years of base metals pyrometallurgical experience, with at least 8 years in base metals Flash Furnace. At least half of the Flash Furnace experience should be within an operational context (relative to research, engineering, design or project).
• Acid plant knowledge is desirable, although not a pre-requisite.
• Should have the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Must possess good analytical and people skills.
• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Metallurgical Engineering background. Master's degree preferred.

What we offer

Be recognized 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 competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards for eligible employees
• Career development & education assistance to further your ambitions
• Access top tier family-friendly health and medical programs and pension plan
• Wellbeing benefits
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters
• Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

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'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 tops producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we value diversity and inclusiveness at our workplaces. We welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

Rio Tinto participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.uscis.gov/ for more information.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being 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.