The Reliability Manager – Mechanical Systems is responsible for developing and executing strategies to improve the reliability, availability, and maintainability of all mechanical assets within manufacturing facilities. This role leads root cause analysis, preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and reliability-centered maintenance initiatives specifically focused on mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, conveyors, piping, and process machinery. The manager collaborates closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to reduce downtime, extend asset life, and optimize maintenance costs.
Develop and implement a mechanical reliability strategy aligned with plant production and maintenance goals.
Lead reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), predictive maintenance (PdM), and condition monitoring programs focused on mechanical systems.
Establish KPIs to measure equipment availability, failure rates, mean time between failures (MTBF), and maintenance costs.
Lead root cause failure analyses (RCFA) for mechanical equipment failures and drive corrective and preventive actions.
Collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to implement design improvements and process changes that enhance equipment reliability.
Utilize tools such as FMEA, fault tree analysis, and reliability block diagrams.
Oversee mechanical asset lifecycle management including maintenance planning, inspection schedules, and repair strategies.
Use CMMS and reliability software to analyze equipment performance trends and prioritize maintenance activities.
Support budgeting and forecasting for maintenance and reliability programs.
Lead and mentor a team of reliability engineers and technicians focused on mechanical systems.
Develop training programs to enhance team knowledge of reliability tools and mechanical system diagnostics.
Promote a culture of reliability and proactive maintenance throughout the organization.
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to align reliability efforts with production requirements and regulatory standards.
Ensure compliance with food safety, OSHA, ASME, and other relevant codes affecting mechanical equipment.
Support audits and inspections with reliability documentation and corrective action plans.
Mechanical equipment reliability and maintenance optimization
Root cause analysis and failure prevention
Predictive and preventive maintenance programs
Asset lifecycle management and data-driven decision making
Team leadership and capability development
Compliance with regulatory and safety standards
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or related technical field
Experience:
7+ years in reliability, maintenance, or mechanical engineering roles with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity
Experience in food & beverage, pharmaceutical, or heavy manufacturing environments preferred
Proven success driving reliability improvements and leading RCFA processes
Certifications:
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) preferred
Training in Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, or Six Sigma beneficial
Technical Skills:
Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, conveyors, valves, and piping systems
Proficiency with CMMS, reliability software, and data analytics tools
Familiarity with food safety, GMP, OSHA, and ASME codes
Leadership & Soft Skills:
Analytical thinker with problem-solving expertise
Effective communicator and team leader
Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement