Maintenance Reliability Specialist

Nichols Farms•Hanford, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maintenance Reliability Specialist will be a key technical resource focused on improving equipment reliability, optimizing asset life cycles, and executing capital and reliability-based projects. This position will support long-term plant performance through preventive and predictive initiatives, data-driven problem solving, and cross-functional project execution. This is a senior position, and as such are expected to show initiative to bring the utmost level of professionalism, personal character, and a team-centered mindset to the department. Successful candidates will have an extremely firm grasp of mechanical, electrical, and controls principles/best practices and will be expected to share those with your direct team members to achieve the common goal – Becoming a World Class Maintenance Department.

Requirements

Experience working on low voltage motors, servos.
Understanding of low voltage control wiring
Able to understand, diagnose, and wire analog sensors (4-20mA and 0-10v).
PLC and remote IO wiring
Ability to read PLC code.
Reading and interpreting red line drawings.
Able to wire up new control circuits for motor controls, instrumentation, feedback, signaling, alarms, and interlocks.
Experience in conduit bending, wire pulling, termination, and underground electrical.
Experience troubleshooting field sensors including RTD, Thermocouples, transmitters.
Experience programming VFDs.
Understanding safety circuits.
Experience troubleshooting safety relays and STO on VFDS.
Knowledge of how PLCs work and logic work.
Experience troubleshooting inputs, outputs, and analog signals to PLC.
Knowledge of industrial networks.
Ability to terminate network cables and able to test and troubleshoot.
Equipment Calibration-Valves, pressure, flow, temperature transmitters, digital analog controls, servos, thermocouple, flow, level controls strain gauges, load cells, test equipment
Adhere to NEC and local codes.
Able to test and work on rotary actuators.
Experience with hydraulic circuits, pumps, cylinders, and pressure regulators.
Understanding of pneumatic systems, air compressors, valves, and actuators.
Can troubleshoot conveyance drive systems.
Advance knowledge of mechanical systems.
Advance understanding of gears, bearings, shafts, belts, couplings, and basic machine operation principles.
Ability to MIG and TIG.
Experience pipe fitting.
Knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, including components like chillers, furnaces, and ductwork.
Experience working on pasteurizers, dryers, and roasters.
Understanding of robotic palletizing and case packaging.
Experience with Packaging equipment including fillers, scales, case erectors, and check weighers.
Experience working on the following inspection systems: color sorters, x-rays, and metal detectors.
Associate degree or technical certification in industrial maintenance, mechanical engineering, or related field.
Possess a comprehensive understanding of advanced principles in mechanical, electrical, and control systems, along with the practical ability to effectively demonstrate these concepts to the maintenance leadership team. This includes not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience in applying these principles to real-world scenarios, ensuring clarity, and enhancing the team's operational capabilities.
Experience with Full Microsoft Office Suite and computerized maintenance software.
Ability to lift 100 lbs. occasionally while normally lifting upwards of 50 lbs. repeatedly.

Nice To Haves

Proof of Arc-Flash PPE training preferred.
Exposure to regulatory (local and federal) compliance is preferred but not required.
Fluent in Spanish and/or English preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Conduct Root Cause Analyses (RCA) on chronic and high-impact failures.
Perform Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and asset criticality assessments.
Develop and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
Standardize equipment, repair methods, and maintenance processes.
Provide expert-level troubleshooting and support to maintenance technicians.
Support equipment reliability by analyzing CMMS data and maintenance trends.
Own project scopes, schedules, and implementation activities.
Collaborate with operations, engineering, and contractors to ensure successful project delivery.
Identify opportunities to reduce costs through tighter project planning and scope control.
Identify and eliminate waste in maintenance workflows and processes (e.g., excess motion, waiting, rework).
Drive or support DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) improvement initiatives.
Use Six Sigma tools (Pareto analysis, fishbone diagrams, A3s) to solve recurring maintenance issues.
Create and standardize maintenance job plans and task sequences for improved efficiency and repeatability.
Implement 5S and visual management practices in maintenance areas.
Facilitate Kaizen events focused on equipment uptime and maintenance effectiveness.
Serve as a technical expert in troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues.
Assist maintenance technicians with complex problems and mentor less experienced team members.
Analyze maintenance data and trends to drive systemic improvements.
Mentor junior technicians on technical troubleshooting, safety, and maintenance best practices.
Train team members in new processes or reliability standards developed through continuous improvement.
Complete all assigned tasks by due dates and report to management when these are not completed, along with reasons and timeline for follow-up to be completed.
Effectively communicate with all plant personnel and provide training when needed to elevate their personal understanding of equipment and/or processes.
Work with outside resources (vendors) as needed.
Confidently explain the current condition of assets and communicate needs to nontechnical employees.
Participate in annual production training to ensure compliance with Nichols Farms standards and SOPs.
Work with department leadership to understand and complete all tasks assigned, even outside of the direct job description.