Reliability Engineer II (In-Plant)

Description

ReCon is seeking a Reliability Engineer for a client in Westlake, LA. Due to being an in-plant position, the below referenced job duties have been provided by the client:

Job Summary

The successful candidate will be responsible for enhancing the reliability and performance of fixed and rotating equipment critical to operations. This role involves analyzing equipment failures, developing preventive maintenance strategies, and implementing reliability improvements to minimize downtime and optimize production efficiency in a fast-paced industrial environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in mechanical maintenance and reliability best practices for equipment such as pumps, compressors, conveyors, tanks, and piping systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) on equipment failures for fixed (e.g., tanks, pressure vessels, piping) and rotating (e.g., pumps, compressors, motors) equipment, identifying trends and recommending corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

• Develop and implement reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies, including preventive and predictive maintenance programs, to extend equipment life and reduce unplanned outages.

• Monitor equipment performance using condition monitoring tools such as vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, and ultrasonic testing, and provide data-driven recommendations for improvements.

• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues, support equipment repairs, and ensure compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.

• Analyze equipment histories, failure modes, and operational data to optimize maintenance schedules and spare parts inventory management.

• Lead or participate in reliability improvement projects, including equipment upgrades, redesigns, and the integration of new technologies to enhance plant reliability.

• Provide technical guidance and training to maintenance personnel on best practices for equipment operation, maintenance, and reliability.

• Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track work orders, maintenance activities, and reliability metrics.

• Ensure all reliability activities align with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies, particularly in handling abrasive materials like silica.

• Prepare reports on equipment reliability KPIs, such as mean time between failures (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR), and present findings to plant leadership.

• Support capital projects by reviewing equipment specifications, conducting reliability assessments, and contributing to commissioning and startup activities.

• Stay current with industry advancements in reliability engineering and apply them to improve plant processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field required.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in reliability engineering, maintenance, or a related field within an industrial setting, preferably in chemical processing, mining, or materials handling plants.

• Demonstrated knowledge of fixed and rotating equipment reliability principles, including failure analysis and preventive maintenance techniques.

• Proficiency in reliability tools and software, such as vibration analysis equipment, RCA methodologies (e.g., FMEA, 5-Why), and CMMS systems.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret technical data and make informed decisions.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Ability to work in a plant environment, including exposure to dust, noise, and varying temperatures; must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with industry standards such as API, ASME, and ISO for equipment design and maintenance.

• Project management experience in equipment reliability initiatives.

#LI-RECON

Requirements

ReCon’s Job Description & Requirements:

Duties:

• Assist in the definition of project work scopes for engineering requirements, including package deliverable requirements.
• Assist with Process Safety Management/Process Hazard Analysis
• Concisely describing the project requirements by means of engineering sketches and verbal instructions to the design staff. Presenting this work to the design personnel in an organized form suitable for design by the available personnel.
• Coordinating and organizing work with other disciplines. Maintaining good working relationships between disciplines.
• Checking drawing packages for completeness and accuracy.
• Performing calculations required for their discipline. The ability to check calculations of other engineers for completeness, code compliance and accuracy.
• Equipment Specifications and Vendor interaction.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

License Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License as per State law or requirement
• Professional Engineer Intern with professional registration preferred

Specific Skills:

• Knowledge of discipline design codes and other industry standard discipline related regulatory codes expected.
• AutoCAD knowledge with 2 years minimum experience preferred.
• Process Safety Management/Process Hazard Analysis
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Outlook or similar software with preference on spreadsheets, data base and word processing.
• Familiar with discipline specific compute applications (i.e., ETAP, STAAD, CEASAR, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk up to one mile on industrial plant and construction sites outdoors at any time of the year.
• Ability to work in protective clothing which may elevate body temperatures by several degrees Fahrenheit for periods of up to 15 minutes without a break.
• Ability to use multi-level stair towers and rung ladders unassisted.
• Ability to hear safety alarms and signals while wearing hearing protection.
• Ability to sit at desk and operate computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to stand, use hands and fingers, grip, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk and hear.
• Ability to see with visual acuity and distinguish between colors.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs. on a regular basis is required and at times lifting up to 25 lbs. may be required.