Specialist, Optimisation
Join a high-performing team of technology and supply chain experts- Apply your skills in solution design, mathematical optimisation and programming
- Engage with business stakeholders to develop and deploy advanced planning and scheduling solutions that drive real value across the largest fully owned and integrated bulk supply chain in the world
- Contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Work in a flexible work environment where we prioritise a healthy work/life balance.
Where we are all welcome
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable being 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 but essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity, regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes us unique.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. We believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.
About our team
Rio Tinto has a long history of being a leader in innovation and the development and deployment of technology within the mining industry. Innovation continues to play a critical role in improving health and safety outcomes, delivering new mines of the future, and decarbonising the industry.
Our Advanced Analytics and Data team is part of the Digital Division of Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) whose primary purpose is to accelerate RTIO digital transformation programs. The Advanced Analytics & Data team is responsible for both the advanced analytics that sit within the digital programs (such as AI, data science, simulation and optimisation), as well as transforming our data and reporting landscape.
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated Specialist, Optimisation to join our Advanced Analytics & Data Team. Reporting to the Principal, Optimisation, you will join a team of passionate technology and supply chain experts designing, developing, deploying and continuously improving state-of-the-art optimisation software to support decision making across our iron ore business and drive real world impact.
The team is currently supporting our Digital Division’s transformation journey which aims to reshape how RTIO plans, schedules, and operates our integrated value chain. As our Digital strategy portfolio grows, the opportunity to contribute to broader business programs within the RTIO business is huge. RTIO Digital portfolio touches all parts of our iron ore business, from resource development through to closure, including large-scale integrated operations across mines, rail, ports, and customers.
Key responsibilities and activities of the role include:
- Build optimisation models and implement them in Python and other programming languages to support business requirements, designing and configuring to support their operation across the supply chain.
- Work with users and other business stakeholders to align requirements and ensure the solutions you work on are fit for purpose. Support knowledge transfer, testing, and other project activities.
- Design solutions that meet current requirements and expectations, but which are also sustainable and extensible to evolve as the business changes over time.
- Contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
What you’ll bring
You bring a passion for using your skills in solution design, mathematical optimisation and programming to solve complex, real-world problems. You’re energised by the opportunity to shape the way optimisation is applied across industrial and enterprise contexts, with a view to delivering real, measurable value. You enjoy the challenge of completing technically difficult tasks to challenging timelines.
You have very strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, and a background in mathematics and programming, preferably with some knowledge of Mixed Integer Programming and related techniques. You have a tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related field (post-graduate qualifications or other evidence of outstanding capability will be highly regarded).
You are excited about working with end users and other stakeholders to understand their business processes and requirements, and you are committed to working as part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary delivery team to meet or exceed their expectations.
Experience in any of the below would be beneficial. If you are excited about the role and think you have what it takes but your experience doesn't align 100% we still want to hear from you.
Delivering software incorporating mathematical optimisation, especially in complex operating environments such as miningDiscrete event simulation and related techniques
Translating business challenges into technical solutions
Engaging with and influencing stakeholders in a variety of roles: planners and schedulers, analysts and consultants, management etc.
Designing software solutions to meet complex requirements
The end-to-end lifecycle of digital product development
Contributing to large software projects and working with associated tools, e.g. version control using Git, release pipeline using Azure DevOps
Agile delivery and project management frameworks
Mathematical optimisation software packages such as Gurobi, CPLEX, AIMMS
Programming languages, particularly Python and TypeScript
What we offer
- Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking, and your hard work, and go home knowing you have 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 an annual incentive bonus
- Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidized private health insurance for employees and immediate family
- An 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 (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave, cultural leave)
- Paid parental leave giving all parents the option to take 18 weeks of paid leave after a new child arrives, at a time that suits them
- Exclusive employee discounts including hotel stays, banking, accommodation, cars, retail, and more
- Commitment to elevating Indigenous voices and increasing cultural knowledge in our business. Diversity of skills, life experiences, and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together. To support you on your journey with us, you will also have access to:
- Specialist Indigenous Support Advisors available to support Indigenous employees through any aspect of employment
- Indigenous leadership programs across some professional and operational roles to ensure the development of Indigenous Leaders
Where you will be working
This role offers a Monday to Friday roster based at Rio Tinto’s Perth head office at the Central Park building. Some work will be required at the Operation Centre (Perth Airport) office.
Applications close on Wednesday 3rd September, 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.
Every Voice Matters
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ 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.
