What are the responsibilities and job description for the Experienced Mechanical Craftspersons, Shovels and Drills – Kennecott Copper Mine position at Rio Tinto?
Experienced Mechanical Craftsperson: Shovels and Drills – Kennecott Copper Mine
Secure full-time, stable employment with a global leader in mining—offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and support for you and your loved ones.
Step into a role that values your certification and experience. Your technical skills and commitment to safety will be recognized and respected from day one.
Work where life happens. Enjoy the unique advantage of an urban mine—be home every night and make the most of everything Salt Lake City has to offer.
About the role
Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.
Are you a hands-on problem solver with a passion for safety and precision? We’re looking for a Mechanical Craftsperson to join our dynamic Mine Maintenance team. In this role, you’ll take the lead in maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting electric and hydraulic shovels and rotary drills—key equipment that keeps our mining operations running smoothly. Your expertise will help ensure our production equipment performs reliably in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
This role is suited to Mechanical Craftspeople with practical experience in maintaining heavy equipment in a mining or industrial setting, who prioritize safety in every task. Your approach should reflect MSHA standards and embody Rio Tinto’s “Zero Harm” culture, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.
Reporting to the Supervisor – Mine Maintenance working a rotating 4 on, 4 off dayshift/night shift roster, your responsibilities will include:
Key Responsibilities
Carry out preventative and corrective maintenance on shovels and drills, focusing on mechanical, hydraulic, and structural systems.
Diagnose faults and implement timely, effective solutions to reduce equipment downtime.
Perform inspections and accurately record findings in our maintenance systems.
Work closely with operations and planning teams to prioritize tasks and maximize equipment availability.
Safely operate tools, lifting gear, and mobile maintenance vehicles.
Uphold all safety, environmental, and company standards and procedures.
This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced electricians to bring their skills to a stable, long-term role with excellent work-life balance. You’ll work in a modern, well-equipped environment with structured training and development pathways—right here in Salt Lake City, where you’ll be home every day.
Eligibility Notice
Applicants must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, and we are unable to take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
What you’ll bring
A high school diploma or GED is required; a technical certification or apprenticeship in heavy equipment or mechanical trades is a strong advantage.
3 years of hands-on experience in mining or heavy industrial maintenance, especially with shovels and drills.
Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, hydraulics, and welding/fabrication techniques.
Confidence in reading and interpreting technical manuals, schematics, and work orders.
Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
A valid driver’s license and readiness to work in remote or outdoor environments.
A personal commitment to safety—for yourself, your team, and the community around you.
What we offer
We believe in recognizing and rewarding your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication. Our generous benefits package is designed to ensure you feel valued and appreciated. When you join us, you'll go home each day knowing you've made a positive impact on the world. Here's what we offer:
A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
Access to top-tier family-friendly health programs including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, and various voluntary benefits.
401(k) matching program (company matched .50 per dollar up to 6% of your base pay)
Generous Rio Tinto employee share program, which allows you to purchase Rio Tinto Company shares.
Comprehensive leave policies which cover all moments that matter in life: PTO (paid time off), paid holidays, and paid bereavement leave.
A favorable child-caregiver leave program (Up to 100% salary top-up)
Ongoing Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family; to help in addressing educational opportunities, addiction treatment, depression, stress, domestic issues, financial management, and legal concerns.
Discount programs for leisure purposes and access to Virgin Pulse with incentives supporting your wellbeing.
Where you’ll be working
Our Kennecott mine is a world-class, fully integrated copper mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City, Utah. We produce copper, precious metals including gold and silver, molybdenum, tellurium, and sulfuric acid. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903 and is one of the top producing mines in the world, comprising approximately 11 percent of U.S. annual copper production.
Applications close on Monday 15th December 2025 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)
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.