Laboratory Technician

Rio Tinto; Kitimat; On-site; CAD 91,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety first

Career development

Paid leave

Employee discounts

Relocation program

Job summary

Rio Tinto’s BC Works in Kitimat, BC, is seeking a Laboratory Technician to process metallurgical samples and deliver reliable data for the process and recovery plant. This permanent role offers a chance to grow technical capabilities in a cutting-edge operation.

You will work with an international team of specialists in a safety-first environment, on a 12-hour rotating day/night schedule, and participate in lab procedures, data entry, and on-call duties, with relocation support where eligible.

Qualifications

• Commitment to safety of yourself and team.
• High school graduation or equivalent; college/technical diploma preferred.
• At least one year of Laboratory Technician experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to use laboratory equipment.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Basic working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently in a results-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Follow Rio Tinto Safety Standards and lab-specific chemical handling procedures.
• Evaluate daily process samples and perform laboratory analyses.
• Notify supervisor and metallurgical engineer of critical lab results.
• Maintain accurate records and enter results into databases.
• Clean the lab and equipment at end of shift.
• Carry out metallurgical test work on lab equipment.
• Develop lab procedures and carry out standard tasks.
• Update Standard Operating Procedures for routine lab work.

Skills

Safety mindset

Independent worker

Initiative

Organization & communication

Education

High school diploma

Technical college diploma

Tools

Laboratory equipment

OES

XRD

XRF

LECO

SAP

Job description

Laboratory Technician

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion

• Work with the latest technology and innovation, in an environment where we challenge you to drive positive change

• 12-hour rotating day and night schedule (2 days, 2 nights,4 off)

• This permanent, full-time, role is based in Kitimat, BC. The perfect place to live and work, combining the tranquility of a small community with an unrivaled love for the great outdoors.

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 Laboratory Technician to process metallurgical samples and results to provide the data required to sustain efficient operation of the process & recovery plant and support process improvement projects.

This role is a great opportunity for a knowledgeable and motivated individual to increase their technical capability in a unique operational facility.

We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting data and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining. We have technical development programs that are industry-leading and recognize the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills

What you’ll be doing

Reporting to the Laboratory Team Lead, you will be:

• Working safely in accordance with Rio Tinto Safety Standards, including lab-specific processes for chemical handling, lockout procedures, etc.
• Evaluating daily process samples & perform laboratory analysis of the samples
• Immediately notifying process plant operations supervisor & metallurgical engineer of any laboratory test result that suggests serious problems in the process plant
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory results, enter results into a database, print related reports, check results for errors, and resolve discrepancies
• Clean the laboratory area and lab equipment at the end of each shift
• Carry out metallurgical test work on lab equipment
• Work with Lab team to develop lab procedures and carry out work as defined by standard practices
• Maintain & update Standard Operating Procedures for all routine laboratory work, including Lab Technician daily tasks
• Assist in operational and maintenance duties as directed and train new personnel in proper lab techniques & procedures
• Ensure operability of laboratory by issuing work requests for any required maintenance and ordering consumable parts/equipment
• Understand the importance of quality control
• Supporting with on-call lab duties as per the departmental rotation

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
• High school graduation or equivalent; however, a college or technical institute diploma in a relevant field of study is preferred
• At least one year of experience as a Laboratory Technician is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to use laboratory equipment
• Good organizational and communication skills
• Basic working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently in a results-oriented environment.

Helpful for Success

• Previous experience in the Aluminium Smelting industry
• Knowledge of SAP
• Experience working with OES (Optical Emission Spectrometer), XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), and XRF (X-ray fluorescence), and LECO are assets.

Please note: Fly-in-fly-out arrangements are not available, but we do offer domestic relocation assistance to help you settle in and thrive. Join our team and become an integral part of our vibrant community.

Applications close on Wednesday the 18 of November 2026 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date).

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.

The base salary range for this role is $90,560 - $135,840 CAD in addition to allowances, bonus, equity, health or retirement benefits, and any other discretionary benefits offered at Rio Tinto. Our base salary ranges are based on role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by the skills, experience, and impact you bring to the role. Our talent acquisition partners can share more during the hiring process.

At Rio Tinto, we offer a competitive reward package that reflects the value that each person brings to our business. As part of our pay philosophy, we believe equity represents fairness, and is rooted in our values and aligns with what we stand for.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority

• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)

• Exclusive employee discounts

• Domestic relocation program if eligible

Where you’ll be working

Rio Tinto’s BC Works is a part of the Atlantic Operations of the Aluminium product group and has been operating in British Columbia for over 70 years. With industry leading new technology and four generations of employee expertise, as well as our hydropower facility at Kemano and the Nechako Reservoir, the Kitimat smelter is one of the world’s most competitive aluminium smelters, producing aluminium with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry.

Rio Tinto is proud to operate in BC alongside our 1,000 employees, partners, community stakeholders and First Nations, and we look forward to the next 70 years

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 Indigenous Peoples, 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.

À propos de Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto est un chef de file mondial du secteur des sociétés minières et des matériaux. Nous sommes établis dans 35 pays où nous produisons du minerai de fer, du cuivre, de l’aluminium, des minéraux critiques et d’autres matériaux nécessaires à la transition énergétique mondiale et à la prospérité des personnes, des communautés et des nations.

Nous exerçons nos activités depuis 150 ans, en nous appuyant sur les connaissances accumulées au fil des générations et sur les différents continents. Notre mission – trouver de meilleures façons de fournir les matériaux dont le monde a besoin – nous guide dans notre quête d’innovation et d’amélioration continue, dans le but de fabriquer des produits à faibles émissions et répondant aux bonnes normes environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance. Mais comme nous ne pouvons pas y arriver seuls, nous nous attachons à créer des partenariats nous permettant de résoudre des problèmes, de créer des situations mutuellement avantageuses et de saisir des occasions.

Respect and Inclusion

Chez Rio Tinto, nous accueillons favorablement et encourageons les candidatures d’Autochtones, de femmes, de membres de la communauté LGBTQ+, de travailleurs âgés, de personnes handicapées et de représentants d’origines diverses.

Nous sommes déterminés à créer un milieu inclusif où les employés se sentent à l’aise d’être eux-mêmes. Nous souhaitons de plus que chacun ait l’impression que sa voix compte, que toutes les cultures sont respectées et que les points de vue, aussi variés soient-ils, sont non seulement bienvenus, mais également essentiels à notre succès. Nous nous traitons mutuellement avec équité et dignité, sans égard à la race, au genre, à la nationalité, à l’origine ethnique, à la religion, à l’âge, à l’orientation sexuelle ou à tout autre aspect distinctif.