Track Machine Operator Maintainer - Karratha

Rio Tinto; Dampier; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent position with Rio Tinto

Medical benefits including private

Share ownership plan

Insurance cover

Job summary

Rio Tinto is seeking a Mechanical Maintainer/Operator for Track Machines. The role involves safely maintaining and operating track machines (Tampers, Regulators, Dynamic stabilisers) across the RTIO Rail network, with a residential or FIFO lifestyle to suit you.

Located at 2 Mile facility with options for remote locations and 8 days on/6 days off rosters. You will report to Track Machine Maintenance Supervisor in a safety-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Trade certificate in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Certificate II Rail Infrastructure (Resurfacing).
• 2 years’ experience operating Plasser Track Machines.
• Plasser ALC experience (min 2 years).

Responsibilities

• Adhere to safety, environmental and quality standards per Rio Tinto procedures.
• Maintain and operate rail resurfacing equipment per schedule and perform fault finding.
• Collaborate with other functions and stakeholders in duties.
• Maintain accurate records of work, parts used and compliance in SAP or equivalent.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Track machines operation

Plasser track machines

ALC / Smart ALC experience

Industrial control systems

Fault finding

Driver's license (C class)

Electrical schematics reading

Remote/site work

Education

Trade certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Certificate II Rail Infrastructure (Resurfacing)

Certificate III Rail Infrastructure (Resurfacing)

Tools

Plasser ALC

Rail resurfacing equipment

SAP / maintenance systems

Job description

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Permanent employment which includes a huge range of additional benefits
• The perfect balance, our roster gives you more time for the things that are important in your life and to your family and community – Residential or FIFO (ex-Perth only)

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 an Mechanical Maintainer/Operator - Track Machines, to safely maintain and operate our track machines assets from Tampers, Regulators and Dynamic stabilisers. These machines are an integral part of the track maintenance division at Rio Tinto.

This is a great opportunity for a motivated individual who are looking to join a friendly and professional team, supported by leaders who will provide opportunities for you to grow and learn.

The role is at our 2 Mile facility but not limited to, you will be required to travel and stay at various locations across the RTIO Rail network, with residential (Karratha) and FIFO (Ex Perth) options the position offers a lifestyle and roster to suit you. A family friendly roster of 8 days on 6 days off all day shifts is offered.

Reporting to the Track Machine Maintenance Supervisor and working in a collaborative and safety-focused environment within the Track Machine Operations team, you will

• Adhere to all safety, environmental, and quality standards, ensuring compliance with Rio Tinto procedures and legislative requirements.
• Maintain and operate rail resurfacing equipment as per the weekly schedule and perform fault finding & rectification as required Conduct scheduled inspections and preventative maintenance in accordance with Rio Tinto standards and OEM specifications.
• Collaborate closely with other functions & stakeholders in the performance of duties.
• Maintain accurate records of work completed, parts used, and compliance with maintenance plans in SAP or equivalent systems.
• Adhere to standards for the completion & close out of work as per the proper work management process – Daily reports, Track acceptance, machine ALC files.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for reliability enhancements and cost efficiencies.
• Support other maintenance and renewal teams in the delivery of maintenance and project where resurfacing is required
• Participate in training and development activities to maintain competency and share knowledge within the team.

What You'll Bring

To be successfully considered for this role, you will have

• A strong commitment to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and your team
• A Trade certificate in Mechanical Engineering or alike qualifications
• Certificate II Rail infrastructure (Resurfacing).
• 2 years’ experience operating Plasser Track Machines
• Plasser ALC experience min 2 years (Smart ALC highly desirable)
• Experience with industrial control systems and automation
• Strong fault-finding and system-level diagnostic skills
• Current manual ‘C’ Class Driver’s License
• Excellent communication skills, and proven ability to interact with all levels of personnel.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Ability to work independently in remote and dynamic environments

Highly desirable if you have the following

• Previous rail experience
• Heavy Rigid driver’s license
• Plasser SMART ALC experience
• Plasser 08-475 4S Unimat, 093-X, SSP 305 and 303 experience
• Certificate III Rail infrastructure (Resurfacing)

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, personal & cultural leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Possible domestic relocation assistance

Where you'll be working

Our privately owned and operated rail network is an essential part of our integrated production process and services our 15 mines across the Pilbara via 2,000km of track. With depots located at Tom Price, Cape Lambert and Dampier (7 Mile), each train comprises three locomotives and 240 ore cars stretching to approximately 2.7 kilometres in length with over 40 trains operating per day. We are also applying and adapting technology to improve safety and productivity across our rail network.

Applications for this role will close on 25/09/2026, however we do reserve the right to close the role earlier

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.