Lead Reliability Technician

Fresenius Kabi•Warrendale, PA

About The Position

The Lead Reliability Technician reports to the Manager, Reliability Engineering and applies advanced knowledge of operational procedures, test methods, laboratory tools, and equipment gained through extensive work experience and technical education. Working under limited supervision in non-routine situations, the technician independently coordinates complex reliability activities and process exceptions, adapts established procedures within authorized limits, leads daily technical operations, and trains, delegates, and reviews the work of lower-level technicians. The role includes evaluating Field Returns, executing and coordinating reliability testing, resolving difficult non-routine product and test-system issues, maintaining specialized equipment, supporting investigations, and accurately documenting and communicating results for engineering review. The technician leads and remains accountable for assigned daily laboratory activities, coordinating priorities, validation activities, equipment availability, service needs, and laboratory readiness. They serve as the primary technical coordination point for assigned work, verify safe and procedure-compliant completion, and escalate matters requiring engineering review, procedural approval, or management authority. The role also includes supporting compliance with company documents and programs related to Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality Management Systems. The stated salary range is $30.00 to $32.00 per hour. The employer offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company contribution, and a wellness program. Employment is at-will and does not guarantee a permanent employment arrangement.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and advanced vocational training, specialized technical certification, or equivalent technical education.
Minimum of 5 years of related laboratory, test, manufacturing, service, or medical-device experience.
Extensive experience independently performing multiple technical processes, resolving difficult non-routine issues, and supporting daily technical operations.
Advanced knowledge of laboratory equipment, operational procedures, test methods, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and applicable quality-system requirements.
Demonstrated expertise sufficient to serve as a recognized technical resource for laboratory operations, test execution, validation activities, and difficult non-routine issues.
Ability to support documented Test Method Validation activities for test methods, fixtures, and measurement or data-collection systems.
Ability to independently plan, coordinate, and complete complex technical assignments under limited supervision, including non-routine situations and process exceptions.
Ability to recognize patterns, analyze difficult non-routine product or test behavior, select and adapt established procedures within authorized limits, and escalate matters requiring engineering judgment or additional authority.
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and test-system issues, coordinate service or setup activities, and maintain laboratory readiness.
Strong organizational and communication skills, including the ability to coordinate daily priorities, interact with cross-functional stakeholders at various levels, and explain technical findings.
Ability to train lower-level technicians, delegate daily technical tasks, verify that delegated work conforms to established procedures, and escalate discrepancies without exercising formal hiring, firing, or performance-management authority.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Use Microsoft Word and Excel to create, review, maintain, and oversee complete and accurate test records in applicable electronic systems and folders.
Configure and coordinate complex test samples, equipment, fixtures, and data-collection systems; collaborate with engineering on fixture design, implementation, refinement, support, and validation as needed.
Apply applicable Test Method Validation (TMV) processes and verify that test setups meet protocol, safety, quality-system, and laboratory requirements.
Independently manage Field Return intake and evaluation activities, including difficult or non-routine process exceptions, and coordinate escalation of significant findings.
Support failure investigations by collecting and evaluating evidence, reviewing logs, performing product teardown, and documenting likely failure conditions and preliminary conclusions for engineering review.
Execute and coordinate reliability test protocols under limited supervision, including non-routine situations requiring planning, preparation, analysis, and selection or adaptation of established procedures within authorized limits.
Select and adapt established procedures for assigned work and escalate situations requiring procedural approval, engineering judgment, or authority beyond the role.
Accurately document test results, observations, defects, investigation evidence, process exceptions, and preliminary conclusions in approved systems and templates.
Oversee maintenance, verification, troubleshooting, and readiness of reliability test equipment; coordinate service, installation, setup, dismantling, and assembly activities as required.
Analyze and resolve difficult, non-routine product, test-setup, and equipment issues that follow recognizable patterns; communicate findings and escalate complex issues for engineering review.
Lead assigned daily technical operations; coordinate work priorities, validation activities, equipment availability, service needs, and laboratory readiness; verify safe, procedure-compliant completion; and escalate staffing, performance, or priority conflicts to management.
Communicate test status, process exceptions, technical issues, investigation findings, and results to engineering personnel, customers when applicable, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Identify and recommend practical improvements to test execution, equipment setup, or laboratory organization and support implementation after appropriate approval.
Train lower-level technicians, delegate daily technical tasks within approved work plans, verify delegated work conforms to established procedures, and escalate discrepancies, technical questions, or workload conflicts.
Ensure compliance with company documents, programs, and activities related to Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality Management Systems, according to assigned roles and responsibilities.