Maintenance & Reliability Engineer

Recruiters' Network Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruiters' Network Inc. is seeking a hands-on Maintenance & Reliability Leader for a fast-paced chemical manufacturing site in Chicago.

You will own maintenance, reliability, and stores performance, setting and executing the M&R strategy and strengthening the team. The ideal candidate has 7–10 years of plant experience with demonstrated leadership, strong technical judgment, safety focus, and the ability to partner with Production and Engineering on capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering required.
• 7–10 years of chemical plant experience or 10+ years of plant experience with maintenance responsibility.
• Proven track record in maintenance and reliability strategies.
• Strong leadership and mentoring across maintenance, reliability, and stores teams.
• Safety-focused with EHSS adherence.

Responsibilities

• Own maintenance, reliability, and stores performance on site.
• Set and execute the M&R strategy and improve equipment performance.
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams and partner with Production, Engineering and R&D on projects.
• Ensure safety and EHSS compliance across activities and contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional communication

Safety-focused

Mentoring

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering required.
• Approximately 7 to 10 years of experience in a chemical plant environment, or 10+ years of plant experience with direct responsibility for maintenance, reliability, and predictive/preventive maintenance programs.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing maintenance and reliability strategies that improve equipment performance, operational efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Strong leadership background with the ability to lead and mentor mechanical, electrical, welding, planning, scheduling, supervision, reliability engineering, and stores personnel.
• Hands-on experience with predictive and preventive maintenance, plant troubleshooting, engineering best practices, and continuous improvement.
• Safety-focused leader who can ensure EHSS expectations are met across departmental activities, site work, and third-party contractor performance.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and experience partnering with Production, Engineering, and Research and Development on capital projects, new processes, or new product development.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, monthly reporting, and spend-versus-budget reviews is preferred.

About the Role:

This replacement opening reports to the Site Manager and serves on the site leadership team. This person will own maintenance, reliability, and stores performance within a fast-paced chemical manufacturing environment. The role will set and execute M&R strategy, strengthen team capability, improve equipment performance, and support safe, efficient operations. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, safety-focused leader with strong technical judgment and the ability to build trust across the site.