Operational Readiness Senior Advisor -Nuton

Rio TintoSalt Lake City, UT
Onsite

About The Position

Be part of a pioneering team advancing Rio Tinto's innovative heap leaching venture. Drive sustainable solutions while accelerating your career growth. Enjoy the unmatched quality of life and work in Utah, ranked #1 overall by U.S. News & World Report for quality of life and work. We are seeking an Operational Readiness Senior Advisor to support the consolidation of Nuton™ technology proprietary testwork methods in the United States. Reporting to the Technical and Testwork Lead, you will play a pivotal role in the implementation and validation of Nuton technology. The role will manage and deliver the operational readiness package for setting up a laboratory facility for Nuton in Salt Lake City with the intention of transitioning into a facility manager role as the facility becomes operational. Nuton, Rio Tinto’s latest entrepreneurial venture, is a suite of innovative, bio-heap leaching technologies that harness natural processes to unlock new sources of critical metals. Nuton not only pushes the boundaries of copper recovery but also sets a new standard for sustainability in mining.

Requirements

  • A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
  • Exposure to US or Utah regulatory requirements around laboratory operations.
  • Experience in laboratory set-up or laboratory management, preferably in a metallurgical setting.
  • Projects-based operational readiness experience will be highly regarded.
  • Strong problem-solving ability incorporating troubleshooting of technical and complex issues.
  • Ability to work in multi-functional and multi-disciplinary teams and influence others to achieve desired outcomes in a complex project setting.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with employees at all levels of the organization and external contractors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the operational readiness activities for setting up an in-house laboratory in Salt Lake City, UT, ensuring that proprietary internal Nuton™ testwork can be successfully commissioned and run internally in the United States.
  • Identify, recruit and onboard consultants and resources to complete the identified operational readiness activities aligned with the project schedule.
  • Identify and implement the required HSEC scope to support operationalization of the Nuton laboratory.
  • Plan, facilitate and leverage the results of operational and risk workshops to guide required activities to support laboratory commissioning and operations including developing training packages, safe work instructions, and procurement of critical long lead consumables.
  • Develop and get buy-in for the organizational design of the laboratory facility.
  • Develop job descriptions, hiring strategy and complete hiring for the laboratory team with input from the technical support and HR functions.
  • Develop and endorse the laboratory operating cost model with input from the technical support and finance functions.
  • Identify key contractors required to support laboratory operations and facilitate placement of contracts in time to start operations.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
  • Retirement options that include a 6% company contribution to a defined plan, 401(k) matching, and a share ownership program.
  • Generous time-off opportunities include paid time off, holidays, bereavement leave, and four months of parental leave for all parents.
  • Comprehensive health plans covering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and additional voluntary benefits.
  • Access to wellness initiatives, including employee discounts and an employee assistance program for confidential support.
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service