Reliability Engineer

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection - growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Position Summary

The Reliability Engineer is responsible for improving the reliability, safety, and performance of equipment and processes at the Synthomer Jefferson Hills chemical manufacturing facility. This role combines engineering expertise, data-driven analysis, and hands-on problem solving to minimize unplanned downtime, optimize asset life, and support safe, compliant, and efficient plant operations.

The Reliability Engineer works collaboratively with Maintenance, Operations, SHE, and Engineering to drive root-cause analysis, develop preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, evaluate equipment health, and support capital project planning to ensure long-term asset integrity.

Key Responsibilities

Reliability Strategy & Program Development

• Develop and sustain a site-wide reliability program aligned with Synthomer global engineering standards.
• Identify and prioritize bad-actor equipment; create action plans to eliminate chronic failures.
• Lead reliability improvement initiatives, including defect elimination, equipment upgrades, and redesigns.
• Support implementation of predictive technologies such as vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound, and oil analysis.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) & Failure Investigation

• Lead or facilitate RCAs using structured methods (5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, RCM, fault-tree).
• Document findings and implement corrective actions in partnership with Maintenance and Operations.
• Track effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure permanent solutions are achieved.

Maintenance Program Optimization

• Review and optimize PM/PdM tasks to improve effectiveness and reduce unnecessary work.
• Develop equipment care strategies and asset management plans.
• Support planning & scheduling functions to ensure job plans include proper materials, tolerances, and procedures.

Asset Health, Performance Monitoring & Data Analysis

• Use data from CMMS (e.g., SAP), historian systems, and condition-monitoring tools to evaluate equipment performance.
• Analyze downtime trends and maintenance costs to guide reliability improvements.
• Define reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, failure rate, asset criticality) and provide meaningful reporting.

Engineering & Project Support

• Provide reliability input during project development, equipment selection, and lifecycle cost evaluations.
• Participate in MOC reviews, PHAs, design reviews, and PSSR processes.
• Support capital projects by ensuring reliability, maintainability, and operability are incorporated into new designs.

Regulatory and Safety Compliance

• Ensure equipment and maintenance activities comply with OSHA PSM, mechanical integrity requirements, and Synthomer SHE standards.
• Support MI inspections, QA/QC documentation, and fitness-for-service evaluations.
• Participate in audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, SHE, Supply Chain, and contractors.
• Provide technical training to mechanics, operators, and planners as needed.
• Act as a technical resource during outages, turnarounds, and major maintenance events.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline).
• 3+ years of experience in reliability, maintenance engineering, or equipment engineering within chemical manufacturing, refining, or similar industrial environments.
• Working knowledge of reliability engineering tools and methodologies (RCA, RCM, FMEA, Weibull, etc.).
• Strong understanding of rotating equipment, fixed equipment, utilities, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with PSM mechanical integrity requirements.
• Experience working with CMMS systems (SAP preferred).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred

• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) or similar credential.
• Experience with predictive maintenance technologies (vibration, IR, oil analysis).
• Background in polymer, resin, latex, or specialty chemical production.
• Knowledge of industry standards (API, ASME, NFPA).
• Experience supporting or leading capital projects.

Key Competencies

• Reliability Engineering Expertise
• Analytical & Troubleshooting Skills
• Technical Judgment
• Safety & Compliance Mindset
• Continuous Improvement Focus
• Collaboration & Communication
• Planning & Prioritization
• Root Cause Analysis Leadership

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation
• Discretionary global bonus scheme
• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - for senior positions
• Company car or car allowance - varies by region and role
• Healthcare - tailored to regional locations
• Parental leave and family support - maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options - flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities - training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
• Wellbeing support - employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
• Retirement / pension contributions - plans vary by country
• Culture of Inclusion - where everyone can thrive
• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes