Process Engineer
NZAS – New Zealand Aluminium Smelters
Tiwai Point, Invercargill | Permanent Role
Optimise industrial processes at one of the world’s most efficient aluminium smelters — with purpose, challenge, and impact.
Permanent employment with a global business offering a wide range of benefits
Full-time role based in beautiful Invercargill, New Zealand — relocation provided if required
Flexible working arrangements with a supportive leadership team dedicated to your growth
About the Role
At NZAS, we operate one of the world’s most efficient aluminium smelters — powered almost entirely by renewable hydroelectric energy.
We are seeking a Process Engineer to join our Reduction Department, where you’ll provide technical support and quality control to the cell reconstruction team. Your work will ensure that high-quality products are delivered on time and meet customer expectations.
This is a technically focused leadership role where you’ll apply your engineering expertise to optimise existing assets, solve operational challenges, and contribute to the design and implementation of process improvements. You’ll collaborate with external suppliers and cross-functional teams to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production — using data-driven insights and practical problem-solving to make a real impact.
You’ll also contribute to budgeting and cost management, strategic planning, monthly reporting, and forecasting for the Reduction Department.
What You’ll Be Doing
Reporting to the Superintendent Reduction Technical Cathode & Reconstruction, and working alongside a passionate team, you will:
Provide quality control for the construction of reduction cell and the materials used
Track and analyse operational data to identify trends and make actionable recommendations
Solve process-related issues using standard engineering methods
Lead the implementation of projects and continuous improvement initiatives
Act as a trusted technical resource for supervisors and technicians
Influence peers and leaders by contributing valuable insights to operations and strategy
Identify, report, and respond to plant and process variations
Prepare clear, concise reports and documentation outlining actions and recommendations
Provide technical support to production teams and supervise contractors or employees when required
Present proposed solutions and results to team members and stakeholders
Coach and develop team members, including graduates, to build technical capability
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for a motivated and analytical engineer with a passion for continuous improvement. You’ll bring:
A Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Process Engineering (or related discipline), or equivalent experience in a similar role
Minimum 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, or processing facility
Strong data analysis skills — including Excel, statistical tools, and process variable trending
A hands-on approach and willingness to work in a heavy industrial environment
Familiarity with systems such as MS Office, Minitab, and OSIsoft Pi, Power Bi
Experience working in cross-functional teams to solve process optimisation challenges
Effective leadership skills for self and team development
Strong health and safety mindset — including psychological safety
Ability to set and maintain high work standards
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
LEAN Green Belt training (highly regarded)
What We Offer
Permanent opportunity based in Invercargill New Zealand.
Great opportunity to join a global mining organisation offering outstanding personal development and career opportunities.
A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards.
Excellent retirement plan.
A comprehensive leave policy that covers all moments that matter in life.
Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters.
Generous Rio Tinto employee share programme.
Where You’ll Be Working
Rio Tinto Aluminium – Pacific Operations - New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) at Tiwai Point, Invercargill. Rio Tinto is a global leader in aluminium, one of the world’s most widely used metals.
Our Pacific Operations sites are located along the east coast of Australia, at the tip of the Northern Territory and in New Zealand’s south. With more than 6,000 employees, we operate a full value chain approach — mining, refining and smelting. You will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with nurses and health professionals across our assets.
Invercargill, New Zealand’s southernmost city is the commercial hub of Southland. The city is famous for its easy access to outdoor adventures, with a balance of all the modern facilities you would expect from a thriving city, with well-regarded schools, childcare, restaurants, creative and cultural experiences, shopping and sporting opportunities.
Ready to Engineer What’s Next?
If you’re a proactive, solutions-focused engineer ready to take the next step in your career — we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now and energise your next chapter with NZAS.
We value every voice. NZAS is proud to foster a culture of inclusion, safety, and integrity — and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Learn more: New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter | NZAS
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 Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ 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.
