A results-driven engineering professional who applies mechanical engineering principles, reliability methodologies, analytical problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making to improve asset performance and support Maintenance Excellence initiatives. This role is responsible for optimizing the reliability, availability, maintainability, and lifecycle performance of manufacturing equipment and critical plant assets through all phases of the asset lifecycle, including design, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.
The Mechanical Reliability Engineer leads the development and continuous improvement of preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime, reduce total cost of ownership, and improve operational efficiency. This position utilizes failure analysis, condition monitoring, root cause investigations, and reliability engineering tools to identify and mitigate equipment risks, eliminate recurring failures, and enhance asset integrity.
Key responsibilities include managing maintenance engineering support activities, coordinating plant shutdown and turnaround execution, supporting maintenance and capital budgets, and providing technical leadership for equipment upgrades and capital improvement projects. The role works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and external vendors to ensure equipment performance supports production objectives while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.
What You'll Work On
Quality Systems: Ensures the implementation, compliance, and continuous effectiveness of the site Quality Management System (QMS), while supporting operational excellence, equipment reliability, and process performance objectives.
Project Management: Leads and coordinates maintenance and reliability engineering initiatives within the Maintenance Excellence program. Develops, executes, and monitors project plans to improve asset performance, equipment availability, and maintenance effectiveness. Coordinates cross-functional resources, including personnel, materials, budget, and schedules, to achieve project objectives. Participates in site assessments, capital planning activities, economic evaluations, and feasibility analyses, while supporting financial performance targets and business objectives.
Mechanical Engineering & Reliability: Collects, analyzes, and interprets equipment maintenance and manufacturing performance data from systems such as Maximo and other asset management platforms. Identifies opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and overall asset lifecycle performance. Develops engineering recommendations and action plans focused on cost reduction, maintenance optimization, and operational efficiency. Supports the implementation of Predictive Maintenance (PdM), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), and condition-based monitoring programs. Evaluates emerging technologies and industry best practices through internal and external benchmarking.
Reliability Engineering & Root Cause Analysis: Provides strategic oversight of equipment performance, downtime trends, component failures, and changeover effectiveness across manufacturing operations. Utilizes data-driven methodologies to identify recurring failure modes, predict performance trends, and assess equipment robustness. Conducts and facilitates Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and reliability studies to improve equipment uptime and reduce maintenance costs. Develops and implements corrective and preventive actions that enhance operational reliability, asset utilization, and process efficiency.
Technical Leadership & Collaboration: Serves as a technical resource and mentor to maintenance personnel, engineers, and operations teams by providing guidance, training, and knowledge sharing. Prepare technical reports, engineering assessments, and project documentation. Effectively communicates recommendations and implementation plans to stakeholders, including engineers, technicians, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams. Builds collaborative relationships that support maintenance, production, and reliability objectives while ensuring alignment across functional groups.
Compliance & Engineering Governance: Ensures compliance with applicable quality standards, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Energy (EHS&E) requirements, corporate engineering standards, and regulatory expectations. Evaluates the impact of equipment, process, and maintenance changes on operational performance and compliance. Identifies and mitigates potential risks associated with asset integrity, equipment modifications, and maintenance activities.
Additional Engineering Responsibilities: Develops and maintains engineering procedures, maintenance standards, and best practices for mechanical asset management. Provides technical direction to maintenance technicians, contractors, and external service providers. Oversees Preventive Maintenance (PM) and Predictive Maintenance (PdM) programs to maximize equipment reliability and production uptime. Interfaces directly with manufacturing teams to support production schedules and address asset performance issues. Leads capital improvement projects, equipment upgrades, and Operational Excellence (OpEx) initiatives. Develops, implements, and verifies the effectiveness of corrective actions resulting from reliability investigations, exception reports, and continuous improvement activities.
Required Qualifications
Bachelors Degree (± 16 years) in Engineering, science, a Mechanical or Industrial Engineering or closely related discipline is preferred.
Minimum 3 years and Significant engineering and/or operational experience
Knowledge of applicable regulatory standards and requirements for division products.
The skill set of this position requires a balance of industrial and mechanical engineering principles, data analysis, process improvement techniques, and problem-solving.
Possesses a working technical knowledge of maintenance programs.
Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
Familiarity with “reliability centered maintenance’ is preferred.
Candidate must successfully demonstrate/possess a strong work ethic, safety-conscious philosophy (i.e. zero incident mindset), strong customer service attitude, excellent communication skills, initiative, strong technical knowledge, planning and organizing, teamwork, attention to detail, strong problem solving skills and prior knowledge of computer systems (i.e. Windows desktop software).
Proficient in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Interacts well with diverse groups within engineering and maintenance, and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
Listens to and understands others’ points of view and articulates tactfully and respectfully one’s own perspective orally, in writing, and in presentations.
Works well with others in a collaborative, fast-paced goal-driven environment.
Possesses interpersonal skills to negotiate and reconcile differences.
Has a technical background in health care, nutritional products, laboratory diagnostics, medical devices, pharmaceutical, or similar industries (preferred).
Previous experience as a mechanic, electrician or instrument tech beneficial.
Extensive experience in leading/managing projects or process improvement initiatives.
Previous Lean Six Sigma training beneficial.
Extensive experience in troubleshooting and resolving technical issues.
Strong, proven leadership experience required with an emphasis on supervision of direct reports and influence senior leadership.
Previous experience in generating and managing financial budgets. Ability to manage a department in the absence of the department manager.
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Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
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- The base pay for this position is
- $86,700.00 – $173,300.00
- In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY
Engineering
DIVISION
GES Global Engineering Services
LOCATION
United States > Abbott Park : AP52
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS
WORK SHIFT
Standard
TRAVEL
Yes, 5 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
No
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES
Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous walking for prolonged periods (more than 2 hours at a time in an 8 hour day), Driving a personal auto or company car or truck, or a powered piece of material handling equipment, Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis, Work in confined spaces, Work in noisy environment, Work requiring repeated bending, stooping, squatting or kneeling
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.
EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf
EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf
