Process Engineer at Rio Tinto in Weipa, Queensland, AU

Process Engineer / Plant Metallurgist

• Hands-on operational role embedded within in front-line processing teams
• Suited to plant metallurgists who enjoy field work, not just desk-based analysis
• Excellent career development opportunity within a global company
• Residential role, enjoy a coastal lifestyle in beautiful Weipa, Far North Queensland and dynamic work environment
• Permanent opportunity working a 9-day fortnight
• 2 Opportunities currently available;
• 1 x Amrun (Southern Operations)
• 1 x Weipa (Northern Operations)

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for an experienced Process Engineer / Plant Metallurgist to work directly with operations and maintenance teams to improve plant performance, availability, and reliability.

This is not a design, EPCM, or consulting role. It is a site-based, hands-on position where you will spend significant time in the plant, working alongside operators, troubleshooting issues in real time, and delivering practical improvements.

Success in this role requires a strong on-ground presence, a bias for action, and the ability to translate data into operational outcomes.

The principal accountabilities of the Process Engineer / Plant Metallurgist role include:

• Participate in daily process operations by analysing process data, reviewing data collection, and observing work practices to determine optimum state;
• Working within an integrated operational team to improve control systems, prioritise maintenance and schedule activities to meet the Bauxite supply chain goals;
• Being visible in the field - coach operations teams on the critical processes of the Beneficiation Plant and set and uphold standards of operations;
• Identifying, supporting and implementing process improvement projects to debottleneck plants
• Identifying and implementing Cost reductions/transformation projects to achieve site transformation targets;
• Daily/Weekly/Monthly reporting and reconciliation
• Promoting accountability through weekly production meetings
• Guiding & mentoring both vacation and graduate students

What you will bring

• Relevant chemical engineering / metallurgical engineering degree
• Plant-based operational experience in mining or heavy industry (essential)
• Proven hands-on experience in bulk commodity operations (e.g. bauxite, alumina, coal, iron ore), with direct exposure to crushing, screening, and materials handling in a production environment
• Experience working in remote locations will be highly regarded
• Demonstrated commitment to safety
• Lead by example in all aspects of the role.
• Diplomacy and open communication skills to influence, direct and encourage employee input and drive appropriate plant operation behaviours.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills – including the use of Lean / Six Sigma tools
• Demonstrated ability to rigorously analyse data and provide solutions to process issues
• Excellent MS Office suite, literacy, numeracy and report writing skills
• Experience using FactoryTalk and a working understanding of process control
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, and an ability for being able to convey complex technical ideas in plain language for non-technical team members

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Chemical / Metallurgical Engineering Degree (preferred)

Amrun Vacancy (Southern Operations)

The Amrun Mine Site is located 40 kilometers south west of Weipa with a life expectancy of 40 plus years to expand our bauxite operations and continue production from one of the world’s premier bauxite deposits. This expansion will strengthen the economy and provide exciting opportunities for the people of Cape York and Queensland for future generations.

Roster: You will reside in Weipa and BIBO to Amrun on a 9 Day Fortnight and stay in camp. Returning to Weipa each weekend.

Weipa Vacancy (Northern Operations)

Roster: Residential in Weipa on the 9 Day Fortnight roster, home every night!

What we offer

Be recognised 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
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical programs, pension and savings plans
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts
• Domestic relocation assistance
• Weipa accommodation benefit
• Remote area allowance
• Amrun Allowance (Amrun vacancy)
• Remote area holiday travel assistance

Where you will be working

Our Weipa Operations includes three bauxite mines, processing facilities, ship loaders, an export wharf, two ports, power stations, a rail network and ferry terminals. Located on the Western Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, each year the operation produces more than 35 million tons of bauxite.

The development of our new mine, Amrun, which was completed in 2018, will extend the life of our Weipa bauxite operations by decades to come and significantly build on our 55-year history on the Western Cape.

#gts

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Respect and Inclusion

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

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