Principal Mining Engineer – Underground

Rio Tinto•Superior, AZ

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Rio Tinto is seeking a Principal Mining Engineer – Underground to provide technical expertise to its Copper assets and studies, including the Resolution Project, Kennecott Underground, and Oyu Tolgoi Mine. The role represents the Central Technical function to operational, study, and project teams and contributes to Rio Tinto’s goal of becoming the World’s Best Operator. Reporting to the Chief Underground Mining Engineer, the role provides technical leadership for underground mining studies and operational support, with particular focus on the Resolution project. It evaluates project and operational performance, supports major hazard management, and develops and improves standards, processes, procedures, and technical systems. The position also builds underground stoping and cave-mining expertise across the group, improves data quality and use, and provides strategic advice to senior leaders and stakeholders. The position is based in Phoenix, primarily supporting Resolution and North American assets. The working arrangement balances office-based work with work from home. Periodic international travel is required, as is additional time outside standard working hours to support colleagues in other time zones.

Requirements

Recognized bachelor’s degree in mining engineering.
Extensive underground technical experience in mining studies, projects, and operations.
Operational cave-mining experience, including mine design, scheduling, draw control, and hazard management.
Experience with Deswik and PCBC software.
Excellent stakeholder engagement capability.
Demonstrated commercial insight, strategic thinking, and business acumen.
Knowledge of risk assessment and management practices.
Sound leadership, coaching, and mentoring capability.
Commitment to personal and team safety.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and direction to underground mining studies, incorporating lessons learned and best practices appropriate to orebody conditions.
Provide technical support to underground mines, particularly the Resolution project.
Monitor and evaluate underground project and operational performance, recommend improvements, and support their implementation.
Support major hazard management activities for studies, projects, and operations.
Develop, document, and continually improve operations, including lessons learned, best-practice standards and guidelines, processes, and procedures.
Build underground stoping and cave-mining expertise and capability across the group, collaborating between assets to maximize collective capability.
Improve technical systems and processes, including data quality and utilization.
Provide strategic advice to senior leaders and internal and external stakeholder groups.

Benefits

Competitive, performance-focused remuneration and a generous salary package.
Annual cash incentive awards (STIP) for eligible employees.
Family-friendly health programs, including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage, plus voluntary benefits.
Retirement plan with up to a 6% defined company contribution and a 401(k) matching program.
Employee share program allowing employees to purchase Rio Tinto shares.
Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
Child-caregiver leave program with up to 100% salary top-up.
Leisure discount programs and access to Virgin Pulse wellbeing incentives.
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their families.
Support for learning potential and career goals.