Mechanical Reliability Engineer
Abbott
Summary
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.
Job description
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.
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.
Requirements
- 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.
Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Retirement savings plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Student debt program
- Education benefit
Company overview
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare leader with a 135-year legacy of innovation, dedicated to helping people live healthier, fuller lives through life-changing technologies and products. Headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, the company operates in more than 160 countries with a workforce of approximately 114,000 professionals. Abbott's diversified portfolio spans four core business segments: medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is particularly renowned for its groundbreaking medical devices including cardiovascular technologies, diabetes management systems like the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitor, neuromodulation devices for chronic pain, and the AVEIR DR dual chamber leadless pacemaker system. In diagnostics, Abbott has been instrumental in developing critical tests, including the first licensed HIV test in 1985 that helped secure blood supply safety. The company's nutrition division produces leading infant formulas like Similac, while its pharmaceutical business provides quality branded generic medicines. Abbott consistently ranks among Fortune's Most Admired Companies and maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, making it a trusted partner in advancing global healthcare.