Head Of Engineering Office

Head of Engineering Office

• Lead a team of senior technical experts in our new Innovation, Science & Technology Group
• Shape and assure the piloting and demonstration of the Group’s most material new technologies
• Work from London, Brisbane, Perth, Bundoora or Montreal

About the Role

All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you.

We are looking for a driven, focused leader with deep expertise in engineering design, commissioning and technical support to drive the piloting and demonstration of new technologies for the Group. This is a great opportunity to showcase your proven experience in developing technology strategies and ensuring these inform the wider corporate strategy.

Reporting to the Global Head of Innovation, Science & Technology, you will be responsible for:

• Developing the strategies and providing programmatic leadership, for the groupwide technology and science platforms that underpin the most material first-of-a-kind R&D technologies for the next decade
• Ensuring the Group rolls these out thorough pilots and demonstrations in a way that maximizes speed and value
• Leading, mentoring and supporting a highly effective team of senior global experts in engineering systems and next-generation technology, and fostering a high-performance culture
• Driving the collection and sharing of learnings and good practices in piloting and industrial demonstration across the Group
• Owning and continuing to enhance the assurance and governance of critical engineering processes/approaches, including partnering and technology transfer required for successful pilots, demonstrations and implementation
• Developing and owning partnerships with external engineering houses to support R&D teams in delivery of pilots and demonstrations
• Making the case for and standing up key test beds/ facilities including next-generation simulation models to accelerate technology delivery
• Engaging with RT Projects & Studies Leadership to integrate new technology development into Greenfield Studies and Projects
• Supporting Group Investment and Evaluation Committees, and Product Group Investment Committees, with next-generation technology delivery assurance
• Working with Product Group and Functional SLTs on budgeting and resourcing requirements for pilots and demonstrations, and associated impact on plan delivery
• Leading and building groupwide capability to consistently deliver pilots and demonstrations at pace
• Sponsoring and leading a community of Engineering practice in effective innovation delivery

About You

To succeed in this role, you should have:

• Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering or a PhD, and ideally be a Chartered Engineer or equivalent.
• Significant experience in multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, chemical, electrical etc.), and operational technologies (OT)
• Extensive experience in engineering design, commissioning and technical support
• Extensive industry knowledge and production experience (e.g. O&G, mining other natural resources)
• In-depth understanding of the heavy industry sector including knowledge of industry trends
• A proven ability in sensing and developing technology strategies, and informing corporate strategy
• An ability to engage internally with Senior/Exec Leaders, Engineers and Technicians and externally with engineering houses (up to CEO level)
• Proven experience in leading small and large teams, and influencing beyond the line
• Experience in delivering breakthrough and enabling technologies
• Deep knowledge and experience driving innovation at pace, implementing disruptive technologies, and delivering new technologies in high-hazard environments
• An ability to identify and prioritize technology areas of the highest strategic interest
• Fluency in English essential – with additional fluency in French preferred but not essential

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidized private health insurance for employees and immediate family
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible relocation assistance

About Rio Tinto

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls ‘progress’ begins with a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers.

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers – generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress.

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium – the world’s first to be certified “responsible” – helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities and our boron helps feed the world, and explore the universe.

Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life.

Every Voice Matters

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.

Applications close on Friday 22nd March 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)