Maintenance Reliability Engineer Job Description [Updated for 2025]

In today’s interconnected world, the importance of Maintenance Reliability Engineers cannot be overstated.

As technology and infrastructure progress, the demand for proficient individuals who can maintain, optimize, and safeguard our systems grows.

But let’s break it down: What is really expected from a Maintenance Reliability Engineer?

Whether you are:

• A job seeker trying to understand the core responsibilities of this role,
• A hiring manager planning the ideal candidate profile,
• Or simply curious about the intricate aspects of Maintenance Reliability Engineering,

You’ve come to the right place.

Today, we present a customizable Maintenance Reliability Engineer job description template, designed for effortless posting on job boards or career sites.

Let’s dive right in.

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

Maintenance Reliability Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that the systems, machinery, and infrastructure of an organization are operating effectively and efficiently.

They use a variety of strategies to increase the lifespan of equipment and reduce downtime.

Their core duties and responsibilities include:

• Analyzing the life cycle of systems and equipment to identify areas where reliability and maintenance can be improved
• Developing and implementing maintenance strategies and procedures to optimize equipment reliability and performance
• Investigating equipment failures and difficulties to diagnose faulty operation
• Collaborating with other engineers and maintenance staff to understand and manage equipment and system interdependencies
• Applying statistical analysis and predictive modeling to forecast future failures and devise preventative measures
• Conducting risk assessments and creating maintenance schedules
• Providing advice and training to maintenance staff to ensure proper operation and maintenance of systems and equipment
• Implementing continuous improvement strategies to enhance the overall reliability of the systems
• Documenting all maintenance and reliability activities for audit and future planning purposes
• Staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, tools and technologies to ensure efficient equipment operation

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Job Description Template

Job Brief

We are seeking a skilled Maintenance Reliability Engineer to join our team.

The primary role of this position is to identify and manage asset reliability risks that could adversely affect plant or business operations.

This includes loss elimination, risk management and life cycle asset management (LCAM).

The Maintenance Reliability Engineer will be responsible for the development and implementation of maintenance strategies and methodologies to improve asset reliability and performance.

 

Responsibilities

• Developing maintenance strategies to ensure optimum usage and reliability of assets
• Conducting reliability analysis and applying reliability tools such as FMEA, RCM and RCA
• Developing and implementing reliability plans that support increasing reliability of production equipment
• Maintaining, analyzing and improving preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Supporting plant maintenance efforts with reliability expertise
• Participating in Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) activities
• Monitoring and analyzing equipment data to recommend design improvements and maintenance strategies
• Coordinating with production and maintenance teams to implement changes and improvements

 

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field
• Experience in a similar role in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Knowledge of reliability analysis and predictive maintenance tools
• Familiarity with maintenance management systems
• Proficiency in using data analysis software
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Strong communication and team working skills

 

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

 

Additional Information

• Job Title: Maintenance Reliability Engineer
• Work Environment: This role requires working in a manufacturing or industrial environment. Some local travel may be required for vendor or client visits.
• Reporting Structure: Reports to the Maintenance Manager or Director of Engineering.
• Salary: Salary is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Pay Range: $75,000 minimum to $125,000 maximum
• Location: [City, State] (specify the location or indicate if remote)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
• Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience to [email address or application portal].

 

What Does a Maintenance Reliability Engineer Do?

Maintenance Reliability Engineers work across various industries, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and utilities.

They can also be part of dedicated engineering or maintenance consultancy firms.

Their primary role is to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of equipment and machinery.

They achieve this by designing and implementing maintenance strategies, procedures, and methods.

They also conduct routine inspections and tests on machinery and equipment to detect faults and malfunctions.

They then use the data collected from these inspections to predict and prevent future breakdowns and failures.

Maintenance Reliability Engineers are also tasked with planning and overseeing maintenance, repair, or replacement of parts to prolong the lifecycle of equipment.

They may also be involved in managing stocks of supplies and equipment spare parts.

Their role includes investigating and troubleshooting in case of any machine or system failures and diagnosing breakdown problems.

They often work closely with production teams to ensure minimal disruption to production processes due to equipment or machinery issues.

In addition, they are responsible for monitoring and controlling maintenance costs, implementing cost-effective strategies, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

They also often play a crucial role in new equipment installation or machinery upgrades, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the new systems from the get-go.

Their work is pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and minimizing maintenance costs.

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Qualifications and Skills

Maintenance Reliability Engineers need a range of technical and interpersonal skills to effectively maintain, troubleshoot and improve the reliability of equipment and systems, such as:

• Applying engineering principles and analytical skills to develop maintenance strategies, procedures and methods and identifying any necessary improvements.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, and the ability to use this knowledge to maintain and improve equipment reliability.
• Problem-solving skills to diagnose breakdowns, and to use root cause analysis techniques to prevent recurrence of failures.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage and prioritize various projects and responsibilities.
• Communication skills to clearly convey complex information to teams, management, and other stakeholders, and to provide clear instructions for corrective actions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with different teams, including operations, maintenance, and supply chain, to improve overall plant reliability.
• Technical knowledge and skill to use various reliability analysis and predictive tools such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM).
• Understanding of safety regulations and procedures to ensure that all maintenance activities are conducted in a safe and compliant manner.

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Experience Requirements

Entry-level Maintenance Reliability Engineers are often expected to have a minimum of 1 to 2 years of relevant experience.

This experience may have been gained through internships, part-time roles, or full-time roles in related fields such as Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering.

Entry-level candidates are also expected to have hands-on experience in using different tools and software for maintenance management and reliability analysis.

Knowledge in predictive maintenance, root cause analysis and reliability-centered maintenance is also crucial.

Candidates with 3 to 5 years of experience often have deeper knowledge and skills in maintenance reliability engineering.

They are usually familiar with different types of machinery, equipment, and processes, and have developed their analytical and problem-solving skills.

They may also have experience in project management and have been involved in planning and implementing maintenance strategies.

Those with more than 5 years of experience often have advanced expertise in reliability engineering and maintenance management.

They may have led major projects, developed and implemented complex maintenance strategies, and solved challenging problems.

These individuals may also have leadership experience and may be ready for a managerial or team-lead position.

Additional qualifications such as Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) will be advantageous, especially for senior level roles.

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Education and Training Requirements

Maintenance Reliability Engineers typically have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, or a closely related field.

They need a solid grounding in the principles of engineering, with coursework in areas like statistics, calculus, and physics.

A strong understanding of maintenance processes and reliability principles is also essential.

Some positions, especially those in specific industries like oil and gas or aviation, may require engineers with a master’s degree in reliability engineering or a related discipline.

Many Maintenance Reliability Engineers also pursue professional certification, such as Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) credential, to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to the field.

In addition to these educational requirements, Maintenance Reliability Engineers should have practical experience in a maintenance environment.

This might come from internships, cooperative education programs, or entry-level employment.

Ongoing professional development is important in this field, so engineers should be prepared to continue learning about new technologies and methods throughout their careers.

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Salary Expectations

A Maintenance Reliability Engineer earns an average salary of $85,000 (USD) per year.

The salary can vary significantly based on the level of experience, industry, education, and geographical location.

 

Maintenance Reliability Engineer Job Description FAQs

What skills does a Maintenance Reliability Engineer need?

A Maintenance Reliability Engineer should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve equipment issues.

They should be skilled in predictive and preventive maintenance techniques.

A good understanding of reliability principles and methodologies is also essential.

Additionally, they must have excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with the maintenance team and other stakeholders.

 

Do Maintenance Reliability Engineers need a degree?

Yes, Maintenance Reliability Engineers typically require a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.

Some companies might prefer candidates with a Master’s degree or Professional Engineering (PE) license.

Certifications in maintenance and reliability, such as Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), can also be beneficial.

 

What should you look for in a Maintenance Reliability Engineer resume?

Look for a degree in an engineering field and any relevant certifications.

Experience in reliability engineering, maintenance planning, and implementing preventive maintenance programs is important.

Also, familiarity with reliability tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) can be beneficial.

 

What qualities make a good Maintenance Reliability Engineer?

A good Maintenance Reliability Engineer is diligent and has a strong attention to detail, as they often need to identify and resolve complex equipment issues.

They should be proactive, with a focus on preventive maintenance to avoid potential issues.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are also important, as they often need to collaborate with various teams within the organization.

 

Is it difficult to hire Maintenance Reliability Engineers?

Finding the right Maintenance Reliability Engineer can be challenging, as the role requires a specific set of technical skills and experience.

It’s important to clearly define the role’s responsibilities and requirements in the job posting, and consider providing competitive compensation and ongoing training opportunities to attract qualified candidates.

 

Conclusion

And there we have it.

Today, we’ve unveiled the true essence of being a maintenance reliability engineer.

Surprised?

It’s not just about fixing machines.

It’s about ensuring the seamless operation of an organization, one machine at a time.

Armed with our comprehensive maintenance reliability engineer job description template and practical examples, you’re ready to make your move.

But why stop there?

Explore further with our job description generator. It’s your next step to meticulously crafted job listings or refining your resume to perfection.

Remember:

Every repaired machine is a cog in the larger machinery of progress.

Let’s pave the way to an uninterrupted future. Together.

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