Graduate Geotechnical Engineer- UG

Rio Tinto; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health programs

401k matching

Parental leave

Paid time off

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Rio Tinto in Salt Lake City is seeking a Graduate Geotechnical Engineer (UG) to develop skills in underground geotechnical principles, risk identification, and safe work practices. You'll work within the Kennecott Underground team, contributing to QA/QC, mine design input, and ground support design.

The program offers world-class development, mentorship, leadership coaching, and exposure to advanced data tools and simulations.

Qualifications

• Must have completed studies within the last two years or graduating in 2027.
• Bachelor or master’s degree in Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, or related field.
• Less than two years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• QA/QC of ground control elements and input into mine design.
• Develop ground support designs for Kennecott Underground.
• Lead a virtual team through a gamified leadership simulation.
• Collaborate with geotechnical team and operations staff.
• Engage with futurists and external thought leaders.
• Participate in masterclasses to build future skills.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Teamwork

Flexibility

Safety awareness

Driving license

3D modeling software

Education

Geological/Civil/Mining Engineering degree

Tools

Vulcan

Minesight

Rocscience

Leapfrog

Job description

Graduate-Geotechnical Engineer | UG

Location: Salt Lake City, UT, US

Category: Orebody Knowledge
Job: #R63957

If you want to drive real change, we have just the place to do it. Our Graduate Program is an opportunity for you to shape Rio Tinto from the inside out. We want you to be part of our leading global company to help take us forward by solving the emerging challenges of our time. At Rio Tinto, we believe the best ideas come from bringing people together with different perspectives to work toward a common goal – to create a better tomorrow.

About the role

Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.

We're looking for graduates from a range of degrees for different areas across our business. This requisition is for a role of Graduate Geotechnical Engineer based at Rio Tinto Kennecott in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This opportunity will allow you to develop skills around operational underground geotechnical principles, risk identification and mitigation, and safe work practices to enable you to excel in your career.

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.

Working in a collaborative community, you will be:

• Directly involved in project execution of Kennecott Underground. As a part of the geotechnical team, you will complete quality assurance and quality control of all ground control elements, provide input into the mine design, complete ground support designs, and support safe and reliable operation of Kennecott Underground. Learn fundamental leadership skills by leading a virtual team through a gamified leadership simulation
• Learn fundamental leadership skills by leading a virtual team through a gamified leadership simulation
• Challenge your thinking and gain outside perspective from futurists and external thought leaders
• Acquire a toolkit focused on future skills to inspire innovation and creativity through a series of masterclasses
• Team up with graduate colleagues to innovate solutions for future business and world challenges
• Grow your leadership skills with 1-1 coaching sessions with an experienced external coach
• Network with our senior leaders and subject matter experts
• Access world-class digital learning.

What you’ll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• To be eligible for the Graduate program, you must have completed your studies within the last two years (2025, 2026) or working towards graduation in 2027.
• Bachelor or master’s degree in Geological Engineering, Mining Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, or another relevant field.
• Less than two years of relevant work experience (local and international)
• Leadership skills, eagerness to learn and ready for the challenge ahead
• Flexibility and autonomy
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team
• Valid driving license
• Experience using 3D modeling software such as Vulcan, Minesight, Rocscience, and/or Leapfrog software is considered a plus.

*To be eligible, you must have the right to work full-time in the United States.

What we offer

Be recognized 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.
• Competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan including up to 6% defined company contribution; Generous 401k matching program.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies which cover all the moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
• A generous parental leave policy, which ensures you’re able to spend quality time with your new family.
• Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides confidential counselling or expert guidance for you and your family to help get through life’s challenges.

Our global Graduate Development Program is designed to prepare the leaders of the future through a series of engaging, progressive and future skills activities. Visit our webpage for a detailed overview of our program.

Where you will be working

Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation, including a concentrator, smelter, and refinery, located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.

#Graduate

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

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.