Column Operations- Principal Advisor
•Be part of a pioneering team advancing Rio Tinto's innovative heap leaching technology.
•Take the opportunity to lead cutting-edge technology deployments in collaboration with world-class partners.
•Enjoy the unmatched quality of life and work in Salt Lake City, Utah, ranked #1 overall by U.S. News & World Report.
About the Role
As Column Operations -Principal Advisor, you will be a key member of the Nuton™ technical team, responsible for managing and optimizing column test programs across internal and external laboratories. You’ll work closely with project delivery leads, process engineers, and the technology transfer team to support feasibility assessments, partner collaborations, and the development of data-driven design solutions.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in cross-functional environments, enjoys working with diverse teams and geographies, and brings a strong background in metallurgical or chemical processing. Below are the key responsibilities of this role:
Lead Column Test Programs
•Coordinate and manage column test-work across commercial and Rio Tinto laboratories in the U.S., Australia, and South America.
•Design and continuously improve test modules and programs, including column leach tests and hydrodynamic evaluations, to meet evolving project needs.
•Collaborate with subject matter experts in geo-metallurgy, leaching, and geochemistry to develop robust test plans aligned with Nuton’s study stages.
Drive Data and Modeling Excellence
•Work alongside our data and analytics team to ensure accurate, timely, and digital capture of test data.
•Oversee quality control and assurance for mineralogical, chemical, and operational data to support modeling and decision-making.
Deliver High-Quality Reporting
•Prepare and review comprehensive technical reports, ensuring partners receive clear and reliable updates, including test progress, extraction curves, and reagent usage.
Collaborate Across Teams and Partners
•Serve as a key liaison among internal teams and external partners.
•Engage with delivery managers on test matrices, geo-metallurgists on sampling strategies, process engineers on flowsheets, and labs on sample preparation and execution.
•Conduct regular site visits to ensure compliance with Nuton standards and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Bring
To be successfully considered for this role, you will have:
•A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team.
•A Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering
•A minimum of 10 to 15 years of processing related work experience in the mining or engineering industry, of which at least 5 years should be in a leadership role. This experience should include the design and management of hydrometallurgical testwork programmes and/or pilot plant trials.
•Ability to work in multi-functional and multi-disciplinary teams and deliver measurable outcomes.
•Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with employees at all levels of the organization and external vendors and stakeholders.
What we offer
Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking, and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
•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.
Where you’ll be working
The role will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, with some domestic and international travel requirement.
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.
Every Voice Matters
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.
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