Reliability Engineer

Horizon Organic Dairy, LL • Salt Lake City, UT

1d • $90,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Horizon Organic is seeking a hands-on Reliability Engineer to advance and execute the plant-wide reliability strategy at its Salt Lake City dairy manufacturing plant. The role operates in a fast-paced, 24/7 environment and spans UHT processing, filling and packaging equipment, utilities, automation systems, and plant infrastructure. The Reliability Engineer works cross-functionally to reduce downtime, extend asset life, and develop a proactive maintenance culture consistent with safety, quality, and operational excellence standards. The position also coordinates shift-level maintenance activities, trains and develops technicians, and supports communication across operations, quality, and maintenance teams.

The role leads reliability and maintainability initiatives, develops preventive and predictive maintenance programs, investigates failures, and drives corrective actions. It maintains reliability records and ensures work conforms to food safety requirements, GMPs, PMO, and company quality standards. The engineer provides technical guidance and supportive leadership to maintenance staff, collaborates with plant functions and vendors, and contributes to continuous improvement. The position is onsite at the Salt Lake City plant and may require flexibility to work days, nights, weekends, and various shifts when operational needs or reliability issues require it.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; engineering, business, food science, or a related field is preferred.
• At least 3 years of operational and management experience within a food production environment.
• Familiarity with core plant equipment and systems, including pumps, hydraulics, electrical systems, boilers, compressors, and chillers.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of food technology and related principles.
• Excellent written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize operations amid multiple and sometimes conflicting demands.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs and food safety regulations.
• Knowledge of safety policies and procedures related to chemicals and machinery.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and proficient math skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills and ability to navigate sensitive situations professionally.
• Team-oriented approach and ability to lead and contribute to cross-functional teams.
• Multi-craft expertise in electrical, controls, mechanical, pneumatics, hydraulics, and fabrication work.
• Practical working knowledge of plant utility systems, including boilers, compressed air, water filtration, wastewater treatment, and refrigeration systems.
• Strong understanding of PLCs, VFDs, servos, and automated plant systems.
• Working knowledge of national, state, and local building codes, OSHA standards, and industry safety regulations.
• Experience with industrial control systems, motor control systems, and automation troubleshooting.
• Ability to support a 24/7 operation and work various shifts as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) processing.
• Prior experience in consumer packaging.
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley industrial control platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead reliability and maintainability initiatives across production and utility equipment to improve uptime, safety, and product quality.
• Design, refine, implement, and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs, including vibration analysis, infrared scans, lubrication standards, and oil analysis.
• Oversee failure analysis using root cause analysis, 5 Whys, and FMEA, and drive corrective actions to improve long-term equipment performance.
• Observe manufacturing processes and identify engineering opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain reliability documentation, including maintenance plans, procedures, equipment histories, BDAs, and change management records.
• Ensure maintenance work aligns with food safety requirements, GMPs, PMO, and Horizon Organic quality standards.
• Train and develop maintenance technicians in troubleshooting, equipment repair, lubrication standards, and safe work practices.
• Teach electrical and mechanical troubleshooting techniques, including PLCs, ladder logic, schematics, and PID.
• Provide technical guidance to elevate maintenance team skills and model safe, compliant behavior and company values.
• Work with Operations, Quality, and EHS to align maintenance activities with production needs and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in maintenance DDS meetings, SME/focus equipment meetings, and mechanic-to-mechanic shift handoffs.
• Communicate equipment deficiencies to operations and schedule improvements through completion.
• Support Autonomous Maintenance teams and collaborate on continuous improvement initiatives focused on downtime, safety, and efficiency.
• Participate in predictive maintenance and contribute to preventive maintenance development, revision, and optimization.
• Correct unsafe or quality-related hazards immediately and track progress through appropriate logs.
• Prepare reports and documentation for compliance, audits, and budget tracking.
• Investigate repetitive problems by working on the plant floor, understanding issues, collecting data, and driving them to root cause.
• Coordinate team meetings to develop RC-PS plans for repetitive problems.
• Provide supportive leadership to promote a positive culture of safety, quality, and productivity.
• Communicate effectively across plant teams and reinforce company policies and alignment with CBA policies and rules.
• Partner with vendors to secure competitive pricing, availability, and support for maintenance operations.
• Provide leadership and direction during periods requiring overtime, ensuring adequate coverage and support for plant needs.
• Support technicians and fellow supervisors with daily maintenance responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Support and uphold Horizon Organic management objectives, policies, and safety programs.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary
• Bonus eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage after 30 days
• Flexible time off per company policy upon hire
• 401(k) with company match, eligible the first of the month after 30 days, with immediate vesting
• Employee Assistance Program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Fitness reimbursement
• Employee discount program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level