Research & Development Manager – Nuton®

Rio Tinto • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Be part of a pioneering team advancing Rio Tinto's innovative heap leaching technology. Drive sustainable solutions while accelerating your career growth. Permanent role based in Salt Lake City, Utah About the role Nuton® is an innovative venture helping to grow Rio Tinto’s copper business by unlocking new value from low‑grade copper resources, waste, and tailings. Built on nearly 30 years of research and development, Nuton® combines proprietary copper leaching technologies with strong environmental performance supporting more efficient water use, lower carbon emissions, and the reclamation of mine sites through reprocessing. This is a rare opportunity to develop and implement a research and development program at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and real‑world impact. As Research & Development Manager, you will define the future of the Nuton® technology suite, guiding how ideas move from laboratory innovation to scalable, value‑creating solutions that support global copper production. Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, you will play a pivotal leadership role in setting direction, building capability, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive R&D culture.

Requirements

• A strong personal commitment to health, safety, and care for others
• Experience leading R&D programs within hydrometallurgical or related processing environments
• A degree in engineering (metallurgical, chemical, engineering, or a related field)
• Ability to build a vision and foster alignment and support to bring that vision to life
• Confidence building relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external
• Ability to influence direction and decision making at a senior level
• The ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary and cross‑functional teams
• Clear, thoughtful communication skills written, verbal, and interpersonal.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with leaching processes, particularly copper heap leaching, is an advantage but not essential

Responsibilities

• Setting and delivering the Nuton® Technology Development Roadmap, aligned to business needs and future growth opportunities
• Establishing and leading a high‑performing R&D team, creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued
• Designing and overseeing laboratory‑scale test work, modeling, and technical studies that improve process efficiency and performance
• Managing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work across multiple R&D programs
• Partnering closely with internal teams and external collaborators to provide technical guidance and support
• Contributing to and leading technical reviews, sharing insights and lessons learned
• Owning and evolving the Nuton® intellectual property framework, in collaboration with legal and technical stakeholders
• Supporting our project leads with technical direction while helping translate innovation into measurable value

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees