Senior Geoscientist

Rio Tinto • Salt Lake City, UT

7d • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Senior Geoscientist to identify and evaluate exploration targets and support the discovery of ore bodies with the potential to deliver large, low-cost, long-life operations. This is a great opportunity for an experienced Geoscientist to contribute to value creation through disciplined area selection, safe and efficient project execution, and clear decision-making that supports advancing or exiting projects based on results. Reporting to Exploration Manager – USA, and working in a collaborative community, you will be leading and executing field-based exploration programs, providing high-quality geoscience input from program design through to field delivery, interpretation, and recommendations. You will also be planning and delivering mapping, sampling, geophysics, and drilling programs safely, on time, and within budget while ensuring strong data collection and QA/QC standards. Translating exploration concepts into practical field plans and adapting programs based on results, field observations, and emerging geological insights. Integrating field data, observations, and assay results to refine geological understanding and advance priority targets toward drill testing. Leading, supervising, and mentoring a small team of geoscientists, setting clear priorities and supporting safe, effective field execution. Managing contractors and service providers to ensure safe performance and delivery against scope, budget, schedule, and project objectives. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including technical, HSE, land, and permitting, to align field activities, monitor project performance, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver clear recommendations that support timely progress and decision-making. Mentor and develop early-career geoscientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, capability development, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• A strong commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Geology, Geoscience, or related discipline
• ~8–10+ years’ experience with a strong focus on field-based exploration and program execution
• Demonstrated experience leading small field teams and managing contractors in remote environments, with the ability to coordinate logistics, budgets, and schedules to deliver safe and efficient field programs.
• Proven capability to plan and execute exploration programs, including mapping, geochemistry, geophysics, drilling, logging, sampling, and QA/QC workflows.
• Strong technical understanding of mineral systems, particularly major copper mineralization styles, with the ability to apply this knowledge to exploration targeting.
• Ability to integrate and interpret field, geochemical, geophysical, drilling, and assay data to refine targets and guide ongoing exploration programs.
• Strong working knowledge of geological software and data management systems, supported by effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading and executing field-based exploration programs, providing high-quality geoscience input from program design through to field delivery, interpretation, and recommendations.
• Planning and delivering mapping, sampling, geophysics, and drilling programs safely, on time, and within budget while ensuring strong data collection and QA/QC standards.
• Translating exploration concepts into practical field plans and adapting programs based on results, field observations, and emerging geological insights.
• Integrating field data, observations, and assay results to refine geological understanding and advance priority targets toward drill testing.
• Leading, supervising, and mentoring a small team of geoscientists, setting clear priorities and supporting safe, effective field execution.
• Managing contractors and service providers to ensure safe performance and delivery against scope, budget, schedule, and project objectives.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including technical, HSE, land, and permitting, to align field activities, monitor project performance, identify improvement opportunities, and deliver clear recommendations that support timely progress and decision-making.
• Mentor and develop early-career geoscientists, fostering a culture of collaboration, capability development, and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior