The Junior Reliability Engineer – Valves & Seals supports the reliability and performance of valve and seal systems used in hygienic and utility processes across food and beverage production lines. Working under senior engineering guidance, this role assists with failure analysis, maintenance optimization, and performance tracking of fluid handling components. The engineer plays a key role in ensuring consistent process uptime, sanitary compliance, and continuous improvement in equipment lifespan and efficiency.
Support tracking and analysis of valve and seal performance data, including failure modes, maintenance trends, and repair histories.
Assist in collecting operational and maintenance data for reliability studies (e.g., MTBF, failure rate, and condition monitoring).
Participate in inspections and root cause analyses (RCA) related to valve or seal failures, under the supervision of senior engineers.
Document failure reports and assist in developing corrective and preventive actions.
Assist maintenance teams in identifying and standardizing replacement parts, torque specs, and lubrication routines for valves and seals.
Help optimize PM (preventive maintenance) schedules and recommend updates based on reliability data.
Collaborate with engineering and procurement to evaluate valve and seal materials, designs, and vendors for improved durability and performance.
Support testing and validation of new valve/seal designs or coatings in production environments.
Ensure valve and seal maintenance activities meet hygienic standards (3-A, EHEDG) and support food safety compliance (FDA, FSMA).
Maintain documentation of procedures, inspections, and reliability projects for audit readiness and continuous improvement tracking.
Work with maintenance, production, and quality teams to gather data, implement fixes, and support continuous improvement projects.
Participate in team meetings, shutdown planning, and reliability reviews.
Valve and seal failure analysis and reliability improvement
Preventive maintenance and lifecycle tracking
Root cause investigation and documentation
Support for hygienic and utility system integrity
Engineering data analysis and reporting
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field
0–3 years of experience in reliability, maintenance, or mechanical systems (internship or co-op experience in food, beverage, or pharma a plus)
Basic understanding of valve types, seal materials, and mechanical systems
Familiarity with CMMS software and maintenance workflows
Strong analytical and communication skills
Willingness to work in a plant environment and learn hands-on
Detail-oriented with a focus on root cause and continuous improvement