Cathode Improvement Engineer / Process Control Engineer

Cathode Improvement Engineer / Process Control Engineer

• Stability and career progression – Pioneers in producing low carbon, high purity aluminium using renewable hydroelectricity
• Rewarding and dynamic position based in Invercargill, New Zealand
• Monday to Friday or 9-day fortnight roster

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Cathode Improvement Engineer / Process Control Engineerto form an integral part of a small, close-knit team that focusses on cell design evolution and busbar improvements with the objective of longer cell life and improving Power efficiency.

This is a great opportunity for a resilient and self-motivated individual to interface with a broad range of stakeholder groups, displaying credibility, building trust and influencing outcomes. You will be an expert problem solver, level-headed thinker and most importantly committed to driving positive outcomes for the business. You will also help shape the future leaders of our business with mentoring and coaching your more junior team members.

We are an open, connected global team that includes some of the industry’s best and brightest minds. We offer competitive, performance-focused remuneration and a wide range of benefits to reward your contribution. With a global reach, the opportunities to develop and grow your career are broad and exciting.

Reporting to the Superintendent Cathode and Reconstruction and working in a diverse team within the Cathode and Reconstruction team, you will be responsible for:

• Quality control for the construction of Reduction cells & materials used
• Providing technical support to the Reductions Operations & cell Reconstruction teams.
• Frequent communication with material & equipment suppliers to ensure products meet quality, dimensional & packaging requirements
• Liase between Procurement teams & Reconstruction to ensure the correct materials are delivered on time to suit the build schedules
• Monitor, develop & improve the performance of Process, People, Cost & Systems for cell design & materials
• Autopsy cells at end of life or if failed early, to capture data for further optimization
• Liaising with and assisting other technical staff onsite & across Rio Tinto Aluminium to keep up with technology advancements
• Assisting in the development of staff in process and technical understanding.
• Routine reporting, data collection and maintenance of data in a range of databases and spreadsheets.
• Supporting the business improvement by initiating, running and validating BI projects

What you’ll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Metallurgy, Science or Mathematics or similar; or relevant experience in a technically focused industrial Process Control role
• Tenacity to persevere with challenges and promptly develop realistic, practical, and constructive solutions
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Ability to quickly create and maintain good working relationships at all levels, with onsite teams & suppliers
• Willing to mentor, coach, & lead others to succeed
• Competency in planning and managing schedules & projects
• Self-motivation and be keen to progress your career

What we offer

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical assistance scheme
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave) including long service leave
• Access to transport assistance between Invercargill and Tiwai.
• Competitive superannuation programme
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions

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 and meet opportunities.

Where you’ll be working

New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS) is Rio Tinto’s only New Zealand site. We are pioneers in producing low carbon, high purity aluminium essential to human progress.

Based at Tiwai Point near Invercargill, in New Zealand’s south, NZAS makes aluminium with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world, and it is the only aluminium smelter to produce ultra-high purity metal using renewable hydroelectricity. Receiving the majority of its alumina from our Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited refineries in Gladstone, Australia, the smelter produces more than 335,000 tonnes of aluminium each year.

We pride ourselves on being a world leader in quality aluminium products, founded on our deep commitment to safety and operational excellence which we believe is created by the best people in the industry.

Every Voice Matters

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.

Applications close on Monday the 20th May 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)