QC Lab Technician

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: Responsible for testing samples received into the Quality Control (QC) laboratory. Samples include raw materials, in-process samples and packaged final products. A variety of instrumentation is used including Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Gas Chromatography (GC), Auto-titrators and coulometric Karl Fischer titration. Other equipment such as pH meters, ovens, balances, burettes, and calculators are also used.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute towards the efficient running of the laboratory by helping with infrastructure duties such as restocking of supplies, cleaning of glassware, disposal of samples and managing sample retains.
• Enter laboratory data into the LQM database, run interim and final reports to release samples for production use.
• Standardize equipment prior to use
• Train others in routine test methodology
• Analyze samples in accordance with the prioritization plan.
• Serve as First Aid responder to plant personnel. Assist PERT team in emergencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a science discipline is required.
• Ten years of experience in a laboratory setting is desired; this can be from college training in a laboratory science or equivalent laboratory experience.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Advanced understanding in acid/base titrations, Karl Fischer moisture, manual titrations, particle size, sieve analysis, and programming of automatic titrators
• Basic computer skills involving Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook are required.
• Ability to read, understand and write technical documents (analytical procedures) is required.
• Experience in Thermo LQM software is required. Ability to perform functions such as assisting production personnel in logging in samples, editing tests, and cancelling samples is needed.
• Expertise in the use of Inductively Coupled Plasma instruments is needed. Able to calibrate and check for correct operation of ICP. Ability to review data, trouble-shoot and correct instrument problems.
• Experience using SharePoint sites is needed. Skilled in different SharePoint sites used at Livent is needed (training, TOR reports, technology goals, etc.)
• Must be qualified to run all tests outlined in the QC technician Individual Training Plan (ITP).
• Must have experience dealing with air sensitive product line and be signed off on all of the methods used for BuLi samples.
• Experience in cGMP (good manufacturing practices) is needed. Must be certified as able to analyze Pharmaceutical Carbonate samples. Must be approved to run all test methodology associated with Pharm Carb samples.
• Ability to handle complex and challenging functions such as Cat Phosphate analysis and distillation of benzyl chloride.
• Certified as a trainer in the majority of key tasks (ITP, Buli and Pharm Carb).
• Must have a clear understanding of all Bessemer City production units and how QC analysis contributes to their production of material within specifications.
• Understand and apply basic six sigma principles such as Kanban, Right First time, 5S, control charting

Competencies:

• Time management
• Multi-tasking
• Problem solving with respect to analytical methodologies and instrumentation.
• Teamwork; able to get along with others
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Ability to impart information to others; serve as a trainer
• Proficient in troubleshooting and fixing most instrument issues

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.