About 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: We are seeking an action-oriented Senior Process Engineer with strong leadership abilities to join our dynamic team at Rio Tinto’s (formerly Arcadium Lithium) Toronto R&D Center and lithium pilot production site located in Markham, Ontario. This is a hands-on role with high impact in a start-up style environment where you will play a key role in leading the innovation and scale-up and commercialization of our patented lithium metal production technology.

The Senior Process Engineer will be responsible for leading the on-site analytical laboratory, execution of test work and undertaking novel R&D projects while providing mentorship to on-site personnel. You will play a key role in operating the pilot lithium electrolysis unit and conducting the process analysis and optimization / troubleshooting key of operational units. This role offers the opportunity to work in a cross-functional team to ensure alignment between HSE, pilot plant operations and the Technical Center in Bessemer City (North Carolina). In this full-time salaried position, your main responsibilities will include the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the management of the on-site analytical laboratory and expand the current capabilities to support the research and development of the lithium production unit
• Commission and operate the site’s new analytical equipment including an ICP unit and auto-titrator. Operate the analytical equipment to support the pilot production and provide safety and operational training for other team members
• Lead process analysis and optimization for the lithium production equipment. Provide design improvements supported by process data analysis from test work and pilot data
• Operate the lithium production unit during extended pilot operation runs to prove out the technology. Provide active process and technical coaching mentorship to team members as an SME
• Lead the planning, execution and analysis of bench scale test work to support the troubleshooting and improvements for scaling up the technology
• Lead novel R&D projects to increase equipment longevity of key cell components. Actively participate in the scale-up of new unit operations. Provide key inputs into the overall process flowsheet by characterizing process streams and sizing of the new equipment
• Support the site’s safety goals through safety observations, safety improvement projects and developing key standard operating procedures
• Safely work with high-temperatures furnaces and molten lithium metal and salts while wearing the appropriate PPE and adhering to the plant safety rules
• Lead process hazard assessments to identify and execute opportunities for improvement during lithium electrolysis process testing and bench scale testing
• Lead troubleshooting and incident investigations, identifying root causes and appropriate corrective actions to improve safety and operation of the new electrolysis cell
• Other job duties may be assigned from time to time.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or other applicable engineering degree, post-graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in operational and R&D environment
• Possess strong process knowledge on electrochemistry and lithium metal production
• Experience managing and expanding the capabilities of an analytical lab
• Strong knowledge of analytical methods and laboratory equipment
• Experience in the metal processing industry
• Experience working with ceramics and exotic alloys a strong plus
• Working with high temperature equipment (in excess of 600˚C) a strong plus

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Process safety knowledge and a safety-first attitude with an ownership mindset
• Process knowledge in electrochemistry and lithium metal handling
• Knowledge of ceramics formulation and binary/tertiary systems to form stable compounds
• Strong leadership and mentorship skills to develop team members
• Comfortable/eager to conduct hands-on activities with power tools
• Equipment design and sizing
• Planning and project management
• Comfortable to think-outside-the-box to design and test novel equipment
• Experience with root cause analysis and troubleshooting of process issues
• Interpersonal skills and self-awareness

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 [10] 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.