Process Engineer (Smelter)

About the job

Process Engineer (Smelter)

Rio Tinto Kennecott | Salt Lake City, Utah

• Support safe, stable and efficient smelter operations through daily process monitoring, analysis and improvement
• Build hands-on experience in process control, problem solving and improvement projects alongside experienced technical and operational teams
• Grow your engineering career with a global mining and materials company based in Salt Lake City, Utah

We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values - care, courage and curiosity - guide how we work and how we treat each other.

About the role

We are looking for a Process Engineer to support safe, stable and efficient operations at the Rio Tinto Kennecott Smelter. In this role, you will monitor process performance, analyze operating data and identify practical opportunities to improve safety, control, reliability and production outcomes over time.

You will also contribute to less complex engineering assignments, including equipment and process design support, optimization of existing assets, preparation of technical specifications and structured problem solving. This is a great opportunity to deepen your process engineering capability while working closely with operations, maintenance, technical specialists and project teams in a large-scale processing environment.

Reporting to the Superintendent, Process Engineering within the Smelter team, you will:

What you’ll be doing

• Track, interpret and communicate operational and process-control data, drawing conclusions and recommending actions based on your analysis.
• Identify and resolve process issues within an assigned area using established engineering procedures, analytical methods and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Manage the implementation of clearly defined improvement initiatives and smaller-scope projects, coordinating actions through completion.
• Provide practical technical support to supervisors, technicians and production teams, contributing credible engineering input to daily activities and project work.
• Support equipment and process design activities, asset optimization and preparation of technical scopes, specifications and engineering documentation.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and technical documents that explain findings, actions, risks and recommendations.
• Present proposed solutions, project updates and results to team members and operational stakeholders.
• Provide technical oversight to employees and contractors when required, reinforcing safe execution and alignment with approved work scopes.

About you

We’re looking for someone whose experience aligns with the key requirements below. You do not need to meet every helpful-for-success item to apply. If you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application.

Required for success

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline
• Engineering experience within a smelter, processing plant, manufacturing facility or another safety-critical industrial environment
• Experience analyzing operational or process data and translating findings into practical recommendations
• Ability to apply structured problem-solving methods and support defined engineering improvements or smaller-scope projects
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and operational stakeholders

Helpful for success

• At least two years of relevant process engineering experience
• Experience with daily process control, metallurgical processing, asset optimization or equipment and process design
• Experience preparing technical specifications, reports, scopes of work or project documentation
• Experience providing technical direction to employees or contractors during operational or project activities

What we offer

Be recognized for your contributions, innovative thinking and dedication, and leave each day knowing you have helped the world progress. We provide:

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience, with an annual incentive program for eligible employees
• Access to family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage and various voluntary benefits
• An excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution and a generous 401(k) matching program
• An employee share ownership program
• Comprehensive leave policies covering the moments that matter in life, including paid time off, paid holidays and paid bereavement leave
• A parental and caregiver leave program
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Personify Health with incentives supporting your wellbeing
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential support and expert guidance for you and your family
• Learning and career development support from experienced colleagues and industry specialists

Where you’ll be working

Rio Tinto Kennecott is a fully integrated copper mining operation located near Salt Lake City, Utah. The operation includes mining, concentrating, smelting and refining activities and produces copper and other materials that are essential to modern life. This role is based at the Kennecott Smelter and works closely with teams supporting safe and reliable processing operations.

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

Rio Tinto is committed to equal employment opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel safe, respected and valued. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome but are essential to our success. We treat all our people fairly and with dignity.

Rio Tinto participates in E- Verify to confirm work authorization. Please visit http://www.ucis.gov/ for more information.