Reliability Engineer

Job Title: Reliability Engineer | Food Manufacturing
Location: Homewood, IL
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Target Compensation: $100,000–125,000/year + bonus
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays, retirement plan

Must-Have Skills:
Reliability engineering or maintenance leadership experience in manufacturing
Strong root cause analysis and preventative/predictive maintenance experience
Experience improving equipment uptime and reducing downtime
Knowledge of CAPA processes and reliability-centered maintenance
Experience with CMMS, ERP systems, and maintenance tracking tools
Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Job Summary:
Seeking a Reliability Engineer to lead equipment reliability and maintenance improvement initiatives within a food manufacturing environment. This role will focus on reducing downtime, improving asset performance, leading root cause investigations, and implementing preventative and predictive maintenance strategies. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise, hands-on troubleshooting abilities, and experience driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Job Duties:
Develop and implement maintenance and reliability strategies to improve equipment performance
Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement corrective/preventative actions (CAPA)
Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance programs
Troubleshoot equipment issues to maximize reliability, efficiency, and asset lifespan
Monitor downtime events and lead continuous improvement initiatives
Manage spare parts inventory and ensure availability of critical components
Track and report KPIs related to equipment reliability and maintenance performance
Support new equipment installations and modifications to ensure operational reliability
Supervise, mentor, and train maintenance personnel on reliability-centered maintenance practices
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred
5–7 years of manufacturing experience required; food or USDA-regulated environment preferred
Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles and maintenance best practices
Experience with predictive maintenance technologies and asset management systems
Familiarity with OSHA and workplace safety standards
Certification in Reliability Engineering or Maintenance Management is a plus
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, and data analysis tools
Strong communication and leadership skills
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work in a manufacturing environment
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