Geotechnical Engineer - Underground Mining

About the Role

The Underground Geotechnical Engineer supports safe and productive underground mining operations at Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine. The role reports to the Senior Geotechnical Engineer and works collaboratively with operational and functional teams.

• Completing routine geotechnical tasks including development and production inspections, damage mapping, geotechnical data collection, analysis, and excavation stability assessments.
• Conducting stope stability assessments and preparing geotechnical stope notes to support safe production.
• Designing, implementing, and managing geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring programs to assess underground excavation performance and stability.
• Developing, maintaining, and improving geotechnical databases to support analysis, design, risk management, and reporting.
• Reviewing ground support, intersection, and stope support designs.
• Conducting seismic hazard assessments and back analyses while supporting the identification, evaluation, and management of seismic risk.
• Communicating geotechnical risks and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborating with operations, mine planning, geology, and other teams to ensure geotechnical risks are effectively identified and managed.

• A commitment to safety.
• Bachelor’s degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geology, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated underground hard rock geotechnical engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of underground mining methods and geotechnical hazard management.
• Experience completing geotechnical inspections, data collection, stability assessments, and technical analysis.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with software such as Rocscience (Roc Data, Dips, Unwedge), Leapfrog, IMS, mXrap, and Deswik.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to operate vehicles in both underground and open‑pit mine settings.

• Safety is always the top priority.
• Competitive base salary with an annual incentive bonus.
• Access to family‑friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance and voluntary benefits.
• Excellent retirement plan with up to 6% defined company contribution and generous 401(k) matching.
• Attractive share ownership plan.
• Comprehensive leave policies: paid time off, paid holidays, paid bereavement leave.
• Generous parental leave policy.
• Discount programs for leisure and access to Virgin Pulse with wellness incentives.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential counselling or expert guidance.

The Kennecott mine in Salt Lake City, Utah is a world‑class, fully integrated copper mining operation that also produces precious metals, molybdenum, and sulfuric acid.

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. Rio Tinto participates in E‑Verify to confirm work authorization.