Chemical Engineering Co-Op/Internship

THIS IS A CO-OP/INTERNSHIP THAT WILL START IN MAY/JUNE 2026 AND END IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026About Rio Tinto: Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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.About Rio Tinto Lithium: On 5 March 2025, Rio Tinto completed the acquisition of Arcadium Lithium and combined it with its Rincon asset to form Rio Tinto Lithium, establishing Rio Tinto as a global leader in the supply of energy transition materials and one of the world’s top lithium producers. Position Summary: This internship will support the site operations in a variety of units / departments depending on assignment. The Bessemer City, NC site has several operating units. Student engineers will be exposed to projects support project engineering, process/operations engineering, quality control, maintenance support and EHS activities. The role responsibility may include the need to manage or review process design and help to identify process, energy, cost and process safety improvement opportunities within existing Lithium manufacturing facilities. Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Become a member of the unit Technical Support teams.Assist an existing engineer in the conceptual design and review of detailed design documentsTrack unit operational performance and compare to design basis.Assist with the Management of Change execution in the plant by leading MOC process for small improvements and/or changes.Assist with and/or lead the development of scope for process improvement initiatives.Be a member of execution teams that are executing commissioning activities on new projects, and assist with operational readiness tasksWork with operations teams on root cause investigations of unplanned eventsWork within a fast-paced environment to meet the project schedule and ultimately our customer demands. Education and Experience: A junior or senior at a 4-year accredited university pursuing a B.S. in Chemical or Mechanical EngineeringPreferred completion of at least one prior co-op or internship Minimum GPA: 3.0 out of 4.0 Knowledge and Skill Requirements:Proficiency in Microsoft OfficeProficient in computer programs, such as Minitab Safety Requirements: (position and location specific) All employees are expected to carry out their work functions in a healthy and safe manner, to encourage and support safe work practices at all times, and to report and/or rectify any unsafe conditions that may come to their attention immediately. Physical Demands: (position and location specific) The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; climb or balance and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and color vision. Work Environment: (position and location specific) The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Personal Protective Equipment – (position specific) Must wear PPE as required based on job duties or when traveling to locations where PPE is essential. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. RIO TINTO LITHIUM employs people across a broad range of occupations in locations across the world. We are looking for people to join us in creating, developing, and improving our products, our processes, and our markets. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, a menu of work/life benefits and opportunities to continue developing their skills and building their career. RIO TINTO LITHIUM is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO, AAE, MFDV and supports a drug free workplace.

Salary : $15 - $20