Reliability Engineer

Location: Tacoma, Washington
Relocation Assistance: May be considered

Build Reliability. Improve Performance. Drive Operational Excellence.

Greif is seeking a Reliability Engineer to support the reliability, availability, and performance of manufacturing assets at our Tacoma mill. This role is responsible for improving equipment performance through reliability engineering, data analysis, maintenance strategy development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Reliability Engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Corporate Engineering, contractors, and OEMs to reduce downtime, improve asset life, optimize maintenance effectiveness, and support safe, efficient mill operations. This role also supports the reliability and lifecycle management of Operational Technology (OT) systems, including industrial control systems and automation infrastructure.

What You'll Do

As a Reliability Engineer, you will serve as a key technical resource focused on maximizing equipment reliability and operational performance. You will analyze equipment data, identify opportunities for improvement, develop maintenance strategies, and lead initiatives that improve asset availability and lifecycle performance.

You will work cross-functionally to troubleshoot equipment issues, eliminate recurring failures, support capital and reliability projects, and help ensure the mill's critical assets and OT systems operate safely, efficiently, and within established standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze equipment performance, maintenance history, and reliability data to identify failure trends, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve asset reliability and reduce downtime.
• Develop, coordinate, and continuously improve preventive, predictive, proactive, and corrective maintenance strategies to maximize equipment availability and lifecycle performance.
• Perform Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and implement sustainable corrective actions to eliminate recurring equipment and component failures.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, improve machine performance, and support safe, reliable production.
• Monitor equipment performance against established operating specifications and lead continuous improvement initiatives that improve reliability, productivity, and operating efficiency.
• Manage equipment history, maintenance records, and work order data within the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to support data-driven decision making.
• Optimize maintenance spare parts strategies, including critical spare identification, inventory management, stocking levels, and lifecycle planning.
• Support Tacoma mill Management of Change (MOC) processes for capital projects, equipment upgrades, and reliability improvement initiatives by providing engineering expertise during design, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Support the reliability, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement of the mill's Operational Technology (OT) systems, including DCS, QCS, PLCs, industrial control networks, and related automation infrastructure.
• Coordinate and provide technical leadership during planned outages, shutdowns, equipment inspections, and failure investigations.
• Lead or participate in small project teams and cross-functional improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Corporate Engineering, contractors, and OEMs to develop and implement effective maintenance and reliability solutions.
• Support all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while actively participating in safety initiatives, housekeeping standards, Operational Excellence, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 4–8 years of experience in engineering, maintenance, reliability, manufacturing, or related industrial operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities with a demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles, preventive and predictive maintenance practices, root cause analysis methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and industrial process systems.
• Familiarity with industrial automation and Operational Technology (OT) systems, including PLCs, SCADA, DCS, QCS, industrial networks, and related control platforms, or a demonstrated willingness to learn.
• Experience supporting Quality Control Systems (QCS) within paper manufacturing or similar process industries preferred, including systems such as Valmet, ABB, Voith, or equivalent.
• Experience with CMMS/EAM platforms, including Infor, HxGN (Hexagon), or similar maintenance management systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and engineering or maintenance software applications.
• Proficiency in 2D CAD software, such as AutoCAD, with familiarity in 3D modeling software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, or AutoCAD 3D preferred.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, suppliers, and technical teams.
• Basic understanding of budgeting, cost analysis, and asset lifecycle management.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within cross-functional teams.

Why This Role Matters

This role has a direct impact on mill reliability, equipment performance, maintenance effectiveness, safety, and overall operational excellence. As a Reliability Engineer, you will help strengthen the long-term reliability of critical assets, reduce unplanned downtime, support modernization efforts, and drive continuous improvement across the Tacoma mill.

Why Greif

At Greif, your work supports essential products and customers around the world. We are a global leader in industrial packaging products and services with a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, sustainability, and employee development. If you are looking for an opportunity to make a visible impact on manufacturing performance while helping build the future of a world-class paper mill, we encourage you to apply.

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