JOB SUMMARY
Join our team at Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL), a world leader in biosourced pharmaceuticals, located just outside of Madison, Wisconsin in Waunakee! SPL is an innovative biopharmaceutical leader with unique products and services supporting the pharmaceutical industry globally. For over 40 years, SPL specializes in the development and cGMP compliant manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). SPL has an exciting opportunity to join the team as a Reliability Engineer 1.
The primary focus of this position is to provide leadership to a skilled maintenance technical staff in the implementation of maintenance programs that support a reliable operation and extend the useful life of assets. This role combines plant-floor reliability engineering with data-driven analysis, preventive and predictive maintenance optimization, asset lifecycle management, GMP engineering support, and reliability improvement projects. The Reliability Engineer must communicate effectively as it partners with Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Validation, and Engineering to eliminate repeat failures, optimize maintenance strategies, improve equipment uptime, and support engineering compliance initiatives. PM resources are focused on what matters most, and unplanned downtime is continuously reduced.
Responsibilities include:
- Reliability analysis and failure elimination (RCA, FMEA, Bad Actor analysis)
- PM program technical ownership (categorization, task optimization, interval management)
- Predictive maintenance program development and oversight (vibration, thermography, oil analysis, ultrasound)
- Asset lifecycle management (LCAM) technical support for new/modified installations
- Direct supervision of Engineering Technicians; daily work coordination supported by 1st Shift Maintenance Supervisor
- Identification and leadership of reliability-driven capital projects
- Change control leadership for reliability improvements on GMP equipment
- Own PM categorization assessments using risk-based methodology (severity, occurrence, detection); coordinate Quality-critical PM reviews with QA
- Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for significant/repeat failures; drive CAPA implementation to closure
- Conduct FMEA on critical assets to identify failure modes and optimize PM strategies
- Identify and manage "Bad Actors" (chronic problem equipment); develop and track elimination plans
- Develop and refine predictive maintenance (PdM) program; analyze trends and recommend interventions before failure
- Provide reliability input to capital projects (design reviews, acceptance criteria, commissioning plans) per LCAM process
- Identify, propose, and lead capital projects that improve equipment reliability or eliminate chronic failure modes
- Lead change control efforts to implement reliability improvements on GMP equipment
- Partner with Maintenance Planning to ensure PM task content and intervals are technically sound and value-added
- Supervise and develop Engineering Technicians; provide technical guidance on complex troubleshooting and reliability best practices
- Provide technical support to Production, Maintenance, and other technical personnel as needed
- Analyze CMMS data for reliability trends, downtime drivers, and improvement priorities, report findings to Maintenance, Facilities & Asset Systems Manager
- Provides technical support to production, maintenance management and technical personnel.
- On-time support of deviations, CAPAs, ECNs, and change controls
- Carries out other duties as assigned
Job Requirements and Qualifications:
Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. requires, Associate’s Degree or above in Engineering (Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Reliability) or related discipline
Experience: 2 plus years of experience required, 5 plus years of experience preferred
WHY JOIN SPL?
Our employees are our success! We recruit motivated people, recognize their contributions, and support their development to reach their full potential.
Perks include: competitive compensation; excellent benefits package - including Medical, Dental and Vision on Day 1; Life and AD&D Insurance, and Short and Long-term Disability; Health and Flexible Saving Account options; Employee Assistance Program, generous vacation; paid Holidays; 401k; advancement opportunities; team-oriented environment; community involvement; company events and more!
SPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Skills Required
- High School Diploma or G.E.D.
- Associate's Degree or above in Engineering (Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Reliability) or related discipline
- Minimum 2 years of relevant reliability/maintenance experience
- Predictive maintenance experience (vibration, thermography, oil analysis, ultrasound)
- Experience with PM program ownership, task optimization, and interval management
- Experience conducting RCA and FMEA and driving CAPA to closure
- Experience analyzing CMMS data for reliability trends and downtime drivers
- Knowledge of GMP requirements and experience supporting change control on GMP equipment
- Asset lifecycle management (LCAM) and providing reliability input to capital projects
- Ability to supervise and develop Engineering Technicians
- Experience leading reliability-driven capital projects and change control implementation
- Familiarity with ECNs, CAPAs, deviations, and documentation support
- 5+ years of reliability/maintenance experience (preferred)
What We Do
Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL) is a world leader in biosourced pharmaceuticals, specializing in the development and cGMP-compliant manufacturing of high-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The company is among the largest commercial suppliers of pancreatic enzymes, heparin and its analogs, and other naturally derived products, serving the pharmaceutical, veterinary, and food industries globally.
