Sr. Maintenance & Reliability Engineer

Summary

The Sr. Maintenance & Reliability will serve as the facility's subject matter expert for preventive maintenance (PM) program design, optimization, and validation. This role is accountable for ensuring that PM tasks are executed efficiently, effectively, and are continuously improved based on equipment performance data and root cause analysis (RCA) findings. The position requires deep CMMS Plant Maintenance expertise to manage work order quality, scheduling, and reporting, and a strong ability to lead cross-functional RCA efforts with maintenance and operations teams. The ideal candidate combines technical rigor with a collaborative mindset to drive measurable improvements in maintenance schedule adherence, equipment reliability, and overall maintenance effectiveness.

Responsibilities

PM Program Optimization & Validation
• Evaluate task frequency, scope, and task quality to ensure PMs are optimized for risk, cost, and equipment criticality.
• Establish and lead a PM validation process to verify that scheduled maintenance tasks are being completed correctly, on time, and are delivering the intended reliability outcomes.
• Conduct field audits of PM execution; provide structured feedback to the maintenance supervisor on compliance, quality, and technique.
• Use failure data, MTBF trends, and RCA findings to modify, add, or eliminate PM tasks — shifting the program toward a living, data-driven strategy.
• Develop and implement PM task standards, including labor estimates, required parts, step-by-step procedures, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead PM rationalization efforts — identify redundant, ineffective, or over-specified tasks and replace them with value-adding work.
• Support transition from time-based PMs to condition-based and predictive maintenance tasks where data supports it.
• Advise on CMMS task lists, maintenance plans, and scheduling parameters to ensure PM plans accurately reflect the optimized program.

RCA Coordination & Maintenance Effectiveness
• Lead and facilitate root cause analysis (RCA) for significant and recurring equipment failures, coordinating participation from maintenance, operations, and engineering.
• Ensure RCA findings are translated into actionable corrective actions — PM changes, procedural updates, spare parts additions, or design modifications.
• Track corrective action closure and validate effectiveness of implemented solutions against equipment performance data.
• Partner with operations and maintenance leadership to integrate RCA insights into the weekly maintenance schedule, prioritizing work based on criticality and risk.
• Attend and support cross-functional maintenance planning meetings to review PM compliance, open corrective actions, and upcoming work order priorities.
• Champion a reliability-centered mindset across the maintenance team — build capability in failure analysis, PM thinking, and data-driven decision making.
• Analyze downtime trends and maintenance cost data to identify systemic gaps in the PM program and prioritize improvement efforts.
General Reliability
• Monitor reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, schedule adherence, cost of unreliability) with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Support implementation and expansion of condition monitoring technologies (vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis) and connect findings to PM strategy.
• Assist in equipment criticality assessments to inform PM frequency, spare parts stocking levels, and maintenance resource allocation.
• Ensure new equipment is onboarded with appropriate PM plans, CMMS task lists, and BOM structures prior to startup.
• Mentor Engineer I and II staff in reliability principles, PM methodology, and PM usage.

Requirements

Engineering degree preferred (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related), though equivalent experience will be considered.

5+ years of experience in reliability, maintenance, or manufacturing engineering, ideally in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods.

Strong experience building and improving preventive maintenance (PM) programs.Proficiency with CMMS systems (SAP preferred), including work orders, maintenance plans, scheduling, and reporting.

Experience leading Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and driving equipment reliability improvements.

Working knowledge of reliability tools such as FMEA, PM optimization, MTBF/MTTR, and failure analysis.

Experience managing PM compliance, maintenance schedules, and backlog reduction.

Familiarity with predictive and condition-based maintenance technologies.

Ability to analyze equipment data and turn insights into action.Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across maintenance and operations teams.

Professional certifications such as CMRP, CRE, or Lean Six Sigma are a plus.

About Us

Chobani is a food maker with a mission of making high-quality and nutritious food accessible to more people, while elevating our communities and making the world a healthier place. In short: making good food for all. In support of this mission, Chobani is a purpose-driven, people-first, food-and-wellness-focused company, and has been since its founding in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, an immigrant to the U.S. The Company manufactures yogurt, oat milk, and creamers – Chobani yogurt is America's No.1 yogurt brand, made with natural ingredients without artificial preservatives. Following the 2023 acquisition of La Colombe, a leading coffee roaster with a shared commitment to quality, craftmanship and impact, the Company began selling cold-pressed espresso and lattes on tap at cafés nationwide, as well as Ready to Drink (RTD) coffee beverages at retail. In 2025, Chobani acquired Daily Harvest, a modern brand offering consumers nutritious, delicious and convenient ready-to-make meals.

Chobani uses food as a force for good in the world – putting humanity first in everything it does. The company's philanthropic efforts prioritize giving back to its communities and beyond. Chobani manufactures its products in New York, Idaho, Michigan and Australia, and its products are available throughout North America and distributed in Australia and other select markets.

For more information, please visit or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Chobani is an equal opportunity employer. Chobani will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on any basis including, but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military and/or veteran status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics and genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time position is $105,500.00 - $166,100.00, + bonus + equity + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay. To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment. In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information. We offer various types of paid time of including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, and paid volunteer time off.