Reliability Engineer

Our client is seeking a Reliability Engineer to support equipment reliability, maintenance, and process improvement within a large-scale steel manufacturing environment in Cayce, South Carolina.

This role will focus on improving the reliability and performance of plant equipment by identifying potential failures before they occur. The Reliability Engineer will provide technical support across engineering, preventative and predictive maintenance, and other areas of reliability engineering.

The ideal candidate will bring experience in heavy industry, mining, metals, or steel manufacturing and a strong understanding of reliability methodologies such as Root Cause Failure Analysis and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.

The Environment

This is an on-site individual contributor role based in Cayce, South Carolina. The Reliability Engineer will spend approximately 50% of their time in the mill and in the field, working directly with plant equipment and maintenance operations.

The role reports to the Central Maintenance Manager and will work across the manufacturing operation to support equipment reliability, process efficiency, and plant-wide safety. The position requires very minimal travel, primarily for training.

This is an environment where reliability engineering is focused on preventing equipment failures, improving asset performance, and extending equipment lifecycle rather than simply responding to breakdowns.

Key Focus Areas

• Provide technical support regarding plant equipment, process efficiency, and plant-wide safety.
• Provide technical assistance across engineering, preventative maintenance, predictive maintenance, and other reliability engineering activities.
• Perform Root Cause Failure Analysis to identify the underlying causes of equipment failures and develop solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Apply Failure Mode and Effects Analysis to evaluate equipment, designs, and processes for potential failure points.
• Support predictive and preventative maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability.
• Use available data and performance metrics to identify reliability issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitor and maintain a comprehensive set of performance metrics for the plant.
• Update and maintain plant and maintenance equipment records and processes.
• Support lifecycle management by tracking asset performance and costs from installation through replacement.
• Provide technical support for plant equipment and maintenance activities.
• Read and interpret mechanical and electrical prints and diagrams.
• Lead projects from design through installation and startup, including associated operational and maintenance training.
• Lead project teams and work effectively with both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Build strong working relationships across departments to support reliability and maintenance initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, reliability, process efficiency, and safety.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role includes:

• Improved reliability and performance of plant equipment.
• Equipment failures identified and addressed before they become significant operational issues.
• Root causes identified and permanently addressed through effective RCFA.
• Preventative and predictive maintenance practices strengthened across the operation.
• Plant reliability metrics consistently monitored and used to support decisions.
• Equipment and maintenance records kept accurate and current.
• Projects successfully moved from design through installation, startup, and training.
• Improved coordination between engineering, maintenance, and plant operations.
• Stronger equipment lifecycle management and reliability processes.
• Continued improvement in process efficiency and plant-wide safety.

Candidate Profile

• 3-10 years of experience as a Reliability Engineer.
• Experience in heavy industry, mining, metals, or steel manufacturing.
• Experience with Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA).
• Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• SAP experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or associate degree in a technical field, or 10 years of industrial maintenance or engineering work experience.
• Engineering degree or steel mill experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical prints and diagrams.
• Experience leading projects from design through installation and startup.
• Ability to support operational and maintenance training associated with project implementation.
• Team-building and supervisory skills, including experience leading project teams.
• Ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Strong understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance practices.
• Ability to work approximately 50% in the office and 50% in the field.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.
• Ability to work on-site in Cayce, South Carolina.
• 13% bonus opportunity.
• Full health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Benefits begin on Day 1.
• Day 1 paid time off and vacation.
• 4.5% company 401(k) match.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Training and advancement opportunities.
• Relocation assistance is available, with the package dependent on the candidate’s location.

About Index Search

Index Search is an executive and professional search firm exclusively focused on manufacturing, distribution, and industrial technology. We use proactive search, industry expertise, and recruiters aligned to specific functions and role types to connect experienced professionals with opportunities where they can make a meaningful impact.