Principal Adviser Civil/Structural Engineering

• Influence the quality, safety and performance of Rio Tinto's global project portfolio by providing civil and structural engineering leadership, assurance and technical governance
• Work alongside senior engineering leaders, major engineering service providers and project teams to shape critical mining and processing projects from study through execution
• Role based in Perth or Brisbane with flexible work arrangements and occasional travel across Rio Tinto's global project portfolio

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 Principal Adviser - Civil & Structural Engineering to help Rio Tinto Projects deliver safe, fit-for-purpose and high-quality engineering outcomes across a global portfolio of major capital projects. In this role, you’ll provide discipline leadership, independent technical assurance, governance and specialist expertise across study, design and execution phases. This is a prime opportunity to join a highly respected technical team and influence some of the world’s most significant mining and minerals processing projects.

Reporting to the Manager of Engineering Engagement, you will partner closely with engineering managers, project teams and engineering service providers to strengthen technical definition, manage engineering risk and improve engineering delivery practices across Rio Tinto Projects.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of civil and structural engineering standards, specifications, frameworks and governance requirements
• Provide independent technical review, challenge and specialist advice to project teams, Engineering Managers and key stakeholders
• Support engineering health checks, assurance reviews and technical governance activities to verify compliance with Rio Tinto and industry standards
• Contribute to technical definition, basis of design development and engineering strategies during studies and project execution
• Resolve critical engineering challenges by collaborating with project teams and engineering service providers on constructability, design and risk matters
• Support portfolio-wide engineering performance monitoring and delivery of assurance programs across multiple projects
• Coach and mentor engineers, share lessons learned and strengthen capability through communities of practice and technical leadership
• Monitor emerging technologies, industry developments and leading practices to improve engineering outcomes and whole-of-life asset value

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 are excited by the opportunity and bring relevant experience, we encourage you to apply.

Required for Success

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline, together with Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status or equivalent professional registration
• Demonstrated experience providing civil and/or structural engineering leadership within mining, resources, heavy industrial, infrastructure or major capital project environments
• Experience supporting projects across study, design and execution phases, including working with multidisciplinary engineering teams, EPC/EPCM contractors and engineering service providers
• Strong knowledge of engineering governance, standards, assurance, technical risk management and independent review processes within safety-critical environments
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and solve complex engineering challenges through technical expertise, collaboration and sound judgement

Helpful for Success

• Experience in owner’s engineering, technical governance, assurance, design review or engineering audit roles
• Exposure to major mining and minerals processing projects with global stakeholder engagement
• Postgraduate qualifications in Engineering, Project Management, Risk Management or Business
• Mandarin language capability to support engagement with international engineering delivery partners – this is advantageous but not critically required

If you think you have what it takes but your experience does not align perfectly with every item, we would still like to hear from you.

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

• 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 subsidised 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 & cultural leave)

• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)

Where you’ll be working

Brisbane Office 

Located on Charlotte Street in the heart of Brisbane’s city, our modern, multi-floor office is thoughtfully designed for connection and collaboration, no matter where our people are located around the world. The space includes technology-enabled work and meeting areas, shared social lounges, and The Pit, our auditorium and central place for events and gatherings. On-site amenities include a wellness room, parents’ suite, and multi-faith room. Downstairs, just inside the building’s heritage façade, are end-of-journey facilities and an urban laneway with coffee shops and pastry kitchen. Our teams enjoy views of Moreton Bay, Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River as they work across a range of technical and functional disciplines, supporting operations globally.   

Perth Office - Central Park
Our modern office located in Central Park tower in Perth provide an inspiring environment for collaboration and professional growth. You'll be able to enjoy a range of benefits, including access to a modern gym, wellness programs, and convenient amenities that support a healthy work-life balance. Situated in the heart of Perth, we are close to public transport and several parking options.

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 LGBTQ+ 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.