Research And Development Design Engineer Jobs in Utah

Be part of a pioneering team advancing Rio Tinto's innovative heap leaching technology. Drive sustainable solutions while accelerating your career growth. Permanent role based in Salt Lake City, Utah

Nuton® is an innovative venture helping to grow Rio Tinto’s copper business by unlocking new value from low‑grade copper resources, waste, and tailings. Built on nearly 30 years of research and development, Nuton® combines proprietary copper leaching technologies with strong environmental performance supporting more efficient water use, lower carbon emissions, and the reclamation of mine sites through reprocessing. Learn more about Nuton here Our Technology - Nuton This is a rare opportunity to develop and implement a research and development program at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and real‑world impact. As Research & Development Manager, you will define the future of the Nuton® technology suite, guiding how ideas move from laboratory innovation to scalable, value‑creating solutions that support global copper production. Reporting to the Nuton Technical Lead, you will play a pivotal leadership role in setting direction, building capability, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive R&D culture.

In this role, you will lead Nuton’s technology development agenda by setting a clear roadmap and translating business priorities into focused, well‑designed R&D programs. You’ll build and mentor a multidisciplinary team, manage external and internal partnerships, and ensure that learning, insight, and intellectual property are shared across Nuton programs.

• Setting and delivering the Nuton® Technology Development Roadmap, aligned to business needs and future growth opportunities
• Establishing and leading a high‑performing R&D team, creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued
• Designing and overseeing laboratory‑scale test work, modeling, and technical studies that improve process efficiency and performance
• Managing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work across multiple R&D programs
• Partnering closely with internal teams and external collaborators to provide technical guidance and support
• Contributing to and leading technical reviews, sharing insights and lessons learned
• Owning and evolving the Nuton® intellectual property framework, in collaboration with legal and technical stakeholders
• Supporting our project leads with technical direction while helping translate innovation into measurable value

We know great candidates don’t always meet every requirement. If this role excites you and you believe you could make a strong contribution, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn’t completely align.

• A strong personal commitment to health, safety, and care for others
• Experience leading R&D programs within hydrometallurgical or related processing environments
• Experience with leaching processes, particularly copper heap leaching, is an advantage
• An advanced degree in engineering (metallurgical, chemical, engineering, or a related field)
• Ability to build a vision and foster alignment and support to bring that vision to life
• Confidence building relationships with stakeholders at all levels, both internal and external
• Ability to influence direction and decision making at a senior level
• The ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary and cross‑functional teams
• Clear, thoughtful communication skills written, verbal, and interpersonal.

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
• Retirement options that include a 6% company contribution to a defined plan, 401(k) matching, and a share ownership program.
• Generous time-off opportunities include paid time off, holidays, bereavement leave, and four months of parental leave for all parents.
• Comprehensive health plans covering medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and additional voluntary benefits.
• Access to wellness initiatives, including employee discounts and an employee assistance program for confidential support.

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35countries 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 150years 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.

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.

A drive for innovation and continuous improvement is at the heart of our company's purpose: Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Here, you’ll find a home for curious people who care about their work and colleagues, are courageous about finding better ways to do things, and are empowered to adapt quickly to solve problems and meet opportunities. 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.