Position Summary
The Reliability Engineer is responsible for improving the reliability, safety, and performance of equipment and processes at the Synthomer Jefferson Hills chemical manufacturing facility. This role combines engineering expertise, data‑driven analysis, and hands‑on problem solving to minimize unplanned downtime, optimize asset life, and support safe, compliant, and efficient plant operations.
The Reliability Engineer works collaboratively with Maintenance, Operations, SHE, and Engineering to drive root‑cause analysis, develop preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, evaluate equipment health, and support capital project planning to ensure long‑term asset integrity.
Key Responsibilities
Reliability Strategy & Program Development
- Develop and sustain a site‑wide reliability program aligned with Synthomer global engineering standards.
- Identify and prioritize bad‑actor equipment; create action plans to eliminate chronic failures.
- Lead reliability improvement initiatives, including defect elimination, equipment upgrades, and redesigns.
- Support implementation of predictive technologies such as vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound, and oil analysis.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Failure Investigation
- Lead or facilitate RCAs using structured methods (5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, RCM, fault‑tree).
- Document findings and implement corrective actions in partnership with Maintenance and Operations.
- Track effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure permanent solutions are achieved.
Maintenance Program Optimization
- Review and optimize PM/PdM tasks to improve effectiveness and reduce unnecessary work.
- Develop equipment care strategies and asset management plans.
- Support planning & scheduling functions to ensure job plans include proper materials, tolerances, and procedures.
Asset Health, Performance Monitoring & Data Analysis
- Use data from CMMS (e.g., SAP), historian systems, and condition‑monitoring tools to evaluate equipment performance.
- Analyze downtime trends and maintenance costs to guide reliability improvements.
- Define reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, failure rate, asset criticality) and provide meaningful reporting.
Engineering & Project Support
- Provide reliability input during project development, equipment selection, and lifecycle cost evaluations.
- Participate in MOC reviews, PHAs, design reviews, and PSSR processes.
- Support capital projects by ensuring reliability, maintainability, and operability are incorporated into new designs.
Regulatory and Safety Compliance
- Ensure equipment and maintenance activities comply with OSHA PSM, mechanical integrity requirements, and Synthomer SHE standards.
- Support MI inspections, QA/QC documentation, and fitness‑for‑service evaluations.
- Participate in audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, SHE, Supply Chain, and contractors.
- Provide technical training to mechanics, operators, and planners as needed.
- Act as a technical resource during outages, turnarounds, and major maintenance events.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline).
- 3+ years of experience in reliability, maintenance engineering, or equipment engineering within chemical manufacturing, refining, or similar industrial environments.
- Working knowledge of reliability engineering tools and methodologies (RCA, RCM, FMEA, Weibull, etc.).
- Strong understanding of rotating equipment, fixed equipment, utilities, and instrumentation.
- Familiarity with PSM mechanical integrity requirements.
- Experience working with CMMS systems (SAP preferred).
- Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
Preferred
- Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or similar credential.
- Experience with predictive maintenance technologies (vibration, IR, oil analysis).
- Background in polymer, resin, latex, or specialty chemical production.
- Knowledge of industry standards (API, ASME, NFPA).
- Experience supporting or leading capital projects.
Key Competencies
- Reliability Engineering Expertise
- Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills
- Technical Judgment
- Safety & Compliance Mindset
- Continuous Improvement Focus
- Collaboration & Communication
- Planning & Prioritization
- Root Cause Analysis Leadership
Top Skills
What We Do
Synthomer is a business-to-business speciality chemicals producer. We create value for all our stakeholders by applying our expertise and innovation capabilities to provide high-performance water-based polymers and ingredients to a wide range of blue-chip customers in multiple attractive end markets. Synthomer are headquartered and stock listed in the UK. We have more than 30 operational sites across Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia including four innovation centres of excellence. The Company employs around 4,200 entrepreneurial, highly skilled employees with the expertise and experience to drive our success worldwide.
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