Principal Hydrogeologist

Shape high-quality, defensible hydrogeology outcomes that support safe and sustainable water management across West Pilbara operations, studies and closure planning. Lead technical direction, governance and capability development across a regional portfolio, with scope to influence long-term water strategy and emerging practices. Perth-based opportunity focused on the West Pilbara, combining collaboration in the Perth office with meaningful connection to our Pilbara sites and stakeholders. 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 looking for a Principal Hydrogeologist to provide technical leadership, direction and process governance for water resource planning and management across the West Pilbara. In this role, you’ll connect water resource planning and management across operations, studies, projects and closure to deliver consistent, fit-for-purpose and defensible hydrogeology outcomes across the mining lifecycle, while building capability and supporting sound, risk-based decisions. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex groundwater challenges, building capable empowered teams to deliver at the right level and wants to influence regional strategy, technical standards and continuous improvement. What you’ll be doing Reporting to the Manager Hydrogeology, you will be a member of the Hydrogeology leadership team and a trusted partner to operational, technical and business leaders across Rio Tinto Iron Ore, you will: Lead a technical delivery team for regional hydrogeological and water management planning across the assigned portfolio, setting clear priorities, accountabilities and performance expectations. Lead through influence to align competing priorities and ensure regional insights shape portfolio and business decisions. Build team capability, capacity and succession through coaching, development pathways and effective allocation of work. Apply scientific and technical excellence to hydrogeological investigations, assessments, decision-making and risk management. Act as the accountable technical leader for material groundwater risks: set assurance expectations, test whether work is fit for purpose, surface emerging issues early and escalate decision-ready recommendations at the right level. Govern hydrogeological compliance and assurance against regulatory obligations, environmental commitments and technical standards. Translate hydrogeological constraints, opportunities and insights into mine planning, studies, operations and closure activities. Drive annual water resource & management planning routines, maintaining an integrated view of risk, value, capacity and dependencies to make portfolio trade-offs and translate long-term strategy into funded, sequenced action. Build relationships and external partnerships needed to resolve shared water risks, challenge siloed decisions and accelerate the adoption of practices and technologies that improve whole-of-business outcomes. About you We’re looking for an enterprise-minded technical leader who sees hydrogeology as a business-critical capability and takes ownership beyond organisational boundaries. You do not need to meet every “helpful for success” item to apply; if you bring relevant experience and are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to submit an application. Required for Success: A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team. Demonstrated technical expertise in hydrogeology and groundwater management within mining, resources or another large-scale, safety-critical industrial environment. Experience leading technical delivery, assurance or governance across a complex portfolio, including management of groundwater-related risk and compliance obligations. Capability to interpret and translate hydrogeological data, modelling outputs and uncertainty into decision-ready options, trade-offs and recommendations for studies, mine planning, operations and closure. Experience coaching technical professionals and building team capability, capacity and succession. Ability to build trust, influence and collaborate with operational, technical, regulatory, joint venture and Traditional Owner stakeholders, including communicating complex communicating complex issues simply and influencing decisions without relying on formal authority Helpful for Success: A tertiary qualification in hydrogeology, geology, geoscience, environmental science or a related discipline. Experience in strategic water planning, integrated portfolio leadership, mine closure, hydrogeological modelling practices or emerging groundwater technologies, including shaping investment priorities and cross-functional delivery. Experience managing work plans, budgets or schedules for a technical team or portfolio. What we offer Be recognised 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 A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family Attractive share ownership plan Company provided insurance cover Extensive salary sacrifice and salary packaging options Career development and education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support Leave for all of life’s reasons, including annual, paid parental, personal and cultural leave Exclusive employee discounts across banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more Possible domestic relocation assistance Where you’ll be working This role is based in Perth and is specific to our West Pilbara portfolio. Our modern office in the Central Park tower provides an inspiring environment for collaboration and professional growth, with access to a modern gym, wellness programs and convenient amenities that support a healthy work-life balance. Situated in the heart of Perth, the office is close to public transport and several parking options. In the Pilbara region of Western Australia, Rio Tinto operates an integrated network of mines, port terminals, rail and related infrastructure. From Perth, you will work closely with technical and operational teams supporting safe, sustainable water management across the West Pilbara through development, operations and into closure. À propos de Rio Tinto Rio Tinto est un chef de file mondial du secteur des sociétés minières et des matériaux. Nous sommes établis dans 35 pays où nous produisons du minerai de fer, du cuivre, de l'aluminium, des minéraux critiques et d'autres matériaux nécessaires à la transition énergétique mondiale et à la prospérité des personnes, des communautés et des nations. Nous exerçons nos activités depuis 150 ans, en nous appuyant sur les connaissances accumulées au fil des générations et sur les différents continents. Notre mission - trouver de meilleures façons de fournir les matériaux dont le monde a besoin - nous guide dans notre quête d'innovation et d'amélioration continue, dans le but de fabriquer des produits à faibles émissions et répondant aux bonnes normes environnementales, sociales et de gouvernance. Mais comme nous ne pouvons pas y arriver seuls, nous nous attachons à créer des partenariats nous permettant de résoudre des problèmes, de créer des situations mutuellement avantageuses et de saisir des occasions. Respect and Inclusion At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds. 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. innovation et amélioration continue sont au cœur de notre mission: Trouver de meilleures façons de fournir les matériaux dont le monde a besoin. Chez nous, les esprits curieux trouvent leur place. Nous recherchons des personnes investies dans leur travail et attentionnées envers leurs collègues, audacieuses dans leur quête de solutions innovantes, et capables de sadapter rapidement pour résoudre des problèmes et saisir des opportunités. Nous sommes déterminés à créer un milieu inclusif où les employés sont libres être eux-mêmes. Nous valorisons un environnement où chaque voix compte, où toutes les cultures sont respectées, et où la diversité des perspectives est essentielle à notre réussite. Nous nous traitons les uns les autres avec équité et dignité, sans distinction de race, de genre, de nationalité, origine ethnique, de religion, âge, orientation sexuelle ou de toute autre marque de notre différence.