Field Engineer - Instrumentation & Controls
Job Description
Lifestyle that works for you – a roster and team culture designed to support work‑life rhythm, wellbeing, and time for what matters outside of work.
Benefits that back you (and your family) – industry‑leading health coverage and support, plus generous leave and wellbeing resources so you can thrive at work and at home.
Join a world‑class organisation at a pivotal moment for copper – be part of a major project supplying the materials the world needs, with the scale, stability, and long‑term career opportunities of a global leader.
At Rio Tinto, we are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to succeed. We actively encourage applications from women and from people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We know that great technical capability comes in many forms, and we’re focused on building teams that reflect the communities we operate in and support each other to do their best work.
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide the 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 Field Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to provide technical support across the organisation, implementing, maintaining, and improving instrumentation and control systems that enable safe and efficient mine operations.
Reporting to the Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer and working in a collaborative team environment, you will be responsible for:
Supporting the implementation of site‑wide instrumentation and controls strategies and systems
Maintaining and administering site standards, policies, and practices in line with regulatory, industry, and Rio Tinto requirements
Providing engineering support to operations, maintenance, and reliability teams to troubleshoot, optimise, and improve instrumentation and control systems
Supporting design, procurement, installation, commissioning, quality assurance, and handover activities for capital projects
Managing data logging, access, and visualisation from field instruments to support monitoring, optimisation, investigations, and trend analysis
Supporting technicians with day‑to‑day troubleshooting of instrumentation and controls systems
Reviewing functional descriptions and control philosophies for new or modified systems
Interpreting and troubleshooting PLC programming for critical systems
Developing, modifying, and deploying SCADA/HMI system graphics
Reviewing instrumentation and controls drawings for new installations
Supporting commissioning of new and modified instrumentation and controls systems
Updating drawings and documentation to reflect as‑built conditions in line with management of change requirements
Developing and reviewing instrumentation and control equipment specifications for procurement
Supporting upgrades to obsolete or unsupported systems
Participating in risk assessments to support project planning and execution
About you
A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechatronics Engineering
2+ years’ experience in engineering and/or maintenance roles
Knowledge of PLC programming methods including ladder logic, structured text, and function block
Experience with Allen‑Bradley and Rockwell Automation equipment
Familiarity with PLC and SCADA/HMI software (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View SE, CCW)
Experience with PlantPAx‑deployed SCADA systems
Experience developing and programming SCADA graphics
Ability to interpret instrumentation and control drawings
Experience facilitating design reviews
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
Basic capability with computer‑aided design software (AutoCAD or similar)
Basic understanding of network architecture and industrial communication protocols
Experience developing and implementing commissioning plans for complex systems
Proven ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Strong critical thinking, data analysis, and problem‑solving skills
Effective communication skills
Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
Strong multitasking and organisational skills
What we offer
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.
Where you’ll be working
Once in operation, Resolution Copper has the potential to supply nearly 25% of U.S. copper demand and create several thousand direct and indirect jobs in the Pioneer Mining District of Arizona, with an economic value estimated at several billion dollars over the life of the mine.
The project will rely on a block caving technique to extract the deposit, which lies more than 2,000 metres below the surface. This method uses gravity to remove the ore and is the most viable way to recover the resource.
In 2019, the project achieved a significant milestone with the issuance of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) by the U.S. Forest Service. In anticipation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Resolution Copper continues permitting and community engagement activities, reclamation of the historic Magma Mine site, shaft and underground development studies, and advancing data collection to further orebody knowledge.
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.