Engineering Manager- Reliability and Automation

Engineering ManagerLocation: Onsite in Wooster, OH Salary: $110-140k DOEPosition OverviewThe Reliability Engineering Manager leads the reliability and maintenance strategy for manufacturing operations to maximize equipment availability, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve overall equipment effectiveness. This role manages a cross-functional team of reliability and maintenance engineers and technicians, supports PLC/HMI/controls and automation systems, drives preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and partners with production and engineering to implement cost-effective, data-driven improvements.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute the site reliability strategy and roadmap to improve equipment availability, reduce downtime, and increase throughput.Lead, mentor and manage a team of reliability engineers, maintenance supervisors and technicians; recruit, develop and retain technical talent.Oversee industrial maintenance activities and ensure safe, compliant execution of corrective, preventative and predictive maintenance programs.Provide technical leadership for PLC, HMI and control system troubleshooting, programming changes and commissioning in partnership with controls and automation teams.Drive predictive maintenance and condition-monitoring initiatives (vibration, thermography, oil analysis, etc.) to shift work from reactive to proactive.Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and lead cross-functional corrective actions to resolve chronic equipment failures.Partner with production and process engineering to prioritize reliability-driven capital projects and continuous improvement initiatives.Establish and track reliability metrics (MTTR, MTBF, availability, OEE) and report performance to plant leadership; use data to target improvement opportunities.Manage vendor and contractor relationships for controls, automation, and specialized maintenance services; develop scopes, specifications and acceptance criteria.Develop and maintain maintenance documentation, lubrication and spare parts strategies, electrical/mechanical drawings, and standard work for reliable operations.Manage budget for reliability engineering activities, support CAPEX proposals and ensure projects deliver expected returns.Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement and reliability-centered maintenance across the organization.Qualifications5+ years of engineering experience focusing on controls and automation with PLC and HMI programming (Allen Bradley or Siemens).3+ years of experience managing teams, preferably within the controls, maintenance, or reliability departments. Strong technical competency troubleshooting and commissioning control systems, programming and diagnosing PLC/HMI issues.Proven ability to design and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs and reliability-centered maintenance strategies.Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to drive cross-functional improvements and change.BenefitsFull health coverage with zero deductible and premium for employee-only coverage.401(k) with 50% company match on first 8% of earnings you contribute.Safe harbor and profit-sharing company contributions to 401(k).Life and AD&D insurance.Short and long-term disability coverage.4 weeks of PTO plus paid company holidays.Tuition reimbursement.Fitness membership reimbursement.Paid time off for volunteering