[Skip to main content](#main-content) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [Hiring report](/reports/hiring/) · [All Rio Tinto jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/) · [Search jobs](/search/) Rio Tinto · Salt Lake City, UT # Principal Engineer - Processing Salt Lake City, UT, US Full-time Senior individual contributor $171000 - $297000 Operations Listed on Rio Tinto’s official careers site. Posted October 22, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Rio Tinto’s careers site →](https://jobs.riotinto.com/job/24045156/principal-engineer-processing-salt-lake-city-ut/) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Rio Tinto](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/) / Principal Engineer - Processing ## Job description Lead global process engineering initiatives that improve plant performance, safety, cost efficiency and operational outcomes. Influence business strategy, R&D priorities and international technical committees while growing as a recognized technical expert. Opportunity to collaborate across a global technical network and drive enterprise-wide impact, role based in Salt Lake City, Utah 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 seeking an experienced Principal Engineer - Processing to provide technical leadership across processing operations. This role is recognised as an expert-level position that leads strategic initiatives, supports business units in solving complex process challenges, and connects operational priorities with technology and research agendas. Reporting to Chief Adviser Processing & Asset Managment you key responsibilities include: What you'll be doing Lead multidisciplinary teams and strategic initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in safety, productivity, quality and cost performance. Support operations in resolving significant process issues by developing countermeasures and corrective action plans. Coordinate international technical committees and promote best practices across operations. Develop strategic plans, identify key challenges and provide recommendations during annual planning cycles. Define and monitor product and process improvement plans to ensure continuous operational improvement. Prioritize technical projects and connect sites with internal and external specialist resources. Establish R&D programs based on business needs and align research, strategy and operational objectives. Conduct technical audits, drive action plan implementation and coach engineers and technical professionals. ### About You Our commitment to safety is at the core of everything we do. We are looking for someone who demonstrates a strong personal commitment to safety and care for people. Essential requirements Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline. Extensive experience supporting and optimising industrial processing or metallurgical operations. Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, cross-functional projects and business improvement initiatives. Experience analyzing complex process issues and implementing sustainable solutions. Strong understanding of process optimisation, operational excellence and continuous improvement methodologies. Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate technical insights into business outcomes. Desirable criteria Experience supporting large copper concentrating operations with improvement projects and day to day operations Experience with supporting copper leaching operations Exposure to global operations, technical networks or international committees. Experience conducting technical audits and mentoring engineering teams. Experience deploying new technologies or contributing to R&D programs. Experience supporting project technical and economic reviews and approvals 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 Personify Health 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 Where you'll be working The Rio Tinto Copper technical group is a global organization with operations and projects in the U.S. (Kennecott Utah Copper, "RTKC", and Resolution Copper Project, Mongolia (Oyu Tolgoi), and Western Australia (Winu Cu-Au project). The portfolio also includes interests in a non-managed joint venture in Chile, in addition to exploration & evaluation interests and other minor investments. 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/](http://www.ucis.gov/) for more information. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Oct 22, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Oct 25, 2026 - Last checked: Nov 1, 2026 - Listed for: 10 days - Location: Salt Lake City, UT, US - Employment type: Full-time - Pay: $171000 - $297000[Apply on Rio Tinto’s careers site →](https://jobs.riotinto.com/job/24045156/principal-engineer-processing-salt-lake-city-ut/) ## Hiring at Rio Tinto - Open jobs: 214 - New in the last 7 days: 88 - Tracked since: Jul 21, 2026 [All Rio Tinto jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/) · [Weekly hiring report](/reports/hiring/) ## More jobs at Rio Tinto ### [Drilling Coordinator - Underground Operations](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/jobs/ff4193445f3718457dd6/) Salt Lake City, UT, US ### [Haul Truck Operator](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/jobs/ac0bfb40366eca0e2777/) Salt Lake City, UT, US ### [Project Advisor - Surface Mine](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/jobs/82eb9902cff28784f566/) Salt Lake City, UT, US ### [Senior Advisor Strategic Planning - Underground](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/jobs/8be1f5b0feef17281f94/) Salt Lake City, UT, US ### [Senior Engineer, Concentrator Projects](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/rio-tinto/jobs/62d00d8579731b8f2783/) Salt Lake City, UT, US ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [Principal Engineer - Signal and Image Processing](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/bae-systems/jobs/edda4c644a4b2e901eb1/) BAE Systems · Fairborn, Ohio, United States ### [Embedded Principal Software Engineer & Integrated Product Team Lead - Advanced Signal Processing](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/bae-systems/jobs/522a66280f20e0f77016/) BAE Systems · Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States ### [Principal/ Sr. Principal Electronics Engineer – Mission Processing](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/bc196c3b7026f456bfe5/) Northrop Grumman · United States-Florida-Melbourne ### [Principal/Senior Principal Systems Engineer Signals Processing](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/northrop-grumman/jobs/f9ee1fbafca8a6c42ff3/) Northrop Grumman · United States-California-McClellan ### [Signal Image Processing Engineer Sr - E3](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/lockheed-martin/jobs/dee95aa3185471260d5e/) Lockheed Martin · Orlando, FL OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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