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Amanda Allen

from Laboratory Technician to Specialist Simulation Modeller
I build virtual models to test how real systems behave.
Industry
Mining and Resources
Company
Rio Tinto
Job Level
Mid

Ask me about

  • The importance of communication and teamwork in a technical career
  • The advice I would give if you don't know what you want to do next
  • How AI is changing the way I solve problems and make decisions
  • Coding, mathematics and science used in my role

About me

When I left school, I planned to become a pharmacist, particularly working in a laboratory environment. However, I did not achieve the TEE score required to enter Pharmacy, so I enrolled in Chemistry with the intention of transferring after my first year. I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed the subject and decided to continue, graduating with a Bachelor of Chemistry.

My degree led me to the Pilbara, where I worked in laboratory roles for major mining companies. While I enjoyed the scientific work, I became increasingly interested in the data generated by laboratory equipment and the challenge of understanding complex mining supply chains.

I later joined Rio Tinto’s Operations Centre as an analyst and scheduler, where I developed a deeper understanding of how the supply chain operates. From there, I moved into Asset Management, focusing on asset performance and metrics while expanding my skills in data analysis and machine learning.

Although these tools provided valuable insights, they could not fully measure how individual assets and decisions affected the entire supply chain. Joining the Simulation Modelling team brought all my experience together. I can now build models that evaluate changes to scheduling, maintenance strategies, and operational processes, helping the business understand their broader impact and make better-informed decisions.

About my role

  • Analytical
  • Creative
  • Innovative
  • Intuitive
  • Witty

A Simulation Modeller is responsible for designing, developing, and validating digital models that represent real-world systems, processes, or environments. Using mathematical techniques, data analysis, and specialist simulation software, the role evaluates how systems may perform under different conditions. Key responsibilities include gathering and interpreting data, defining model assumptions, building and testing simulations, and comparing results against real-world evidence. The Simulation Modeller runs scenario analyses to forecast outcomes, identify risks, assess capacity, and evaluate potential improvements before changes are implemented. The role also involves translating complex findings into clear reports, visualisations, and recommendations for stakeholders and decision-makers. Simulation Modellers may work across areas such as mining, transport, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, defence, energy, or environmental planning. Their work supports informed decision-making while reducing cost, disruption, uncertainty, and operational risk.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science - Chemistry
  • Graduate Diploma of Data Analytics

Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • Digital Design/Information Technology
  • English
  • General Mathematics (Maths A)
  • History
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics
  • Science

Awards

  • INCITE Chief Judge Award

Hobbies

  • Photography
  • Reading
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Travel

Pets

  • 1 Dog
  • 1 Cat

15 year old me!!

“Your career will not follow the plan you have at 15 - and that will be one of the best things about it. A disappointing result will not define your ability or limit your future; it will simply redirect you. Stay curious and notice what interests you at each step. Keep learning, follow the problems you enjoy solving, and trust that every role will give you skills that make sense later.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Pharmacy plans redirected toward chemistry
  2. Graduated with a Chemistry degree
  3. Began mining work in Pilbara laboratories
  4. Progressed into scheduling and asset analytics
  5. Now solve problems through simulation modelling

My typical day

My employer

Rio Tinto operates in 35 countries where its 60,000 employees are working to find better ways to provide the materials the world needs. Rio’s portfolio includes iron ore, copper, aluminium and a range of other minerals and materials needed for people, communities and nations to grow and prosper, and for the world to cut carbon emissions to net zero. Continuously searching for new projects that can support the energy transition, Rio Tinto is currently exploring for 8 commodities in 17 countries. The organisation has more than 150 years of mining and processing experience guiding its work and, today, the business relies on technology such as automation and artificial intelligence to help it run more safely, more efficiently and leave a lighter footprint.