Reliability Engineer

Domtar; Hawesville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Domtar Hawesville, Kentucky is seeking a Reliability Engineer to lead asset reliability strategies, reduce downtime, and extend asset life in a demanding pulp and paper environment. This full-time role collaborates with maintenance, operations, and engineering to implement predictive and preventive programs, analyze data, and drive continuous improvement.

The position requires hands-on leadership, strong technical expertise, and a proactive problem-solving approach to maximize safety,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in maintenance, reliability, or engineering within manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of RCM, FMEA, RCFA, CMMS systems, and predictive maintenance technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability.
• Champion RCPE and FMEA to proactively address equipment failures.
• Manage condition-based monitoring programs including vibration, infrared, oil analysis, and ultrasound technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

RCM

Job description

Domtar is a leading producer of pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products. Through our focus on safety and sustainability, as well as our commitment to operational excellence and our network of facilities across Canada and the United States, Domtar delivers high-quality and cost-effective products to customers around the world.

Our workforce is comprised of 14,000 talented and hardworking individuals. We are proud to offer competitive compensation, a supportive working environment, rewarding career paths and plenty of opportunities for learning and growth.

The location in Hawesville, (Kentucky, United States), is seeking talent to fill the position of Reliability Engineer. This job is full-time permanent.

The Reliability Engineer is responsible for developing and leading asset reliability strategies that maximize equipment uptime, reduce unplanned downtime, and extend asset life in a demanding pulp and paper manufacturing environment. This role focuses on improving the performance and efficiency of mechanical systems through the application of reliability engineering principles, advanced maintenance strategies, and data-driven decision-making.

Working closely with maintenance, operations, engineering, and planning teams, the Reliability Engineer will implement predictive and preventive maintenance programs, manage condition-based monitoring technologies, and lead root cause investigations. The role also supports capital projects, drives asset criticality assessments, and promotes continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, reduce maintenance costs, and improve production reliability.

This position requires a hands-on, results-oriented professional with strong technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach to problem-solving in an industrial setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of precision, preventive, and predictive maintenance strategies that improve equipment reliability.
• Champion Root Cause Problem Elimination (RCPE) and Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA) to proactively address equipment failures.
• Manage and optimize condition-based monitoring programs, including vibration, infrared, oil analysis, and ultrasound technologies.
• Establish and maintain robust systems and tools that enable maintenance and operations teams to monitor and interpret equipment and process health data effectively.
• Optimize maintenance strategies using asset criticality and reliability data to focus efforts on high-impact equipment.
• Analyze failure data and trends to identify systemic issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with planning and scheduling teams to ensure timely and efficient execution of maintenance activities aligned with reliability goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on reliability tools, CMMS platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Develop and deliver training and communications to enhance reliability awareness and engagement among maintenance and operations personnel.
• Monitor and report on key reliability and maintenance KPIs, such as MTBF, MTTR, and OEE.
• Partner with capital project teams to embed maintainability and reliability into new equipment and systems.
• Lead improvements that enhance equipment reliability, process performance, safety, product quality, cost efficiency, and working conditions.
• Actively participate in mill-wide projects and cross-functional initiatives that support plant-wide success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in maintenance, reliability, or engineering within manufacturing or heavy industrial environments (pulp and paper experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of RCM, FMEA, RCFA, CMMS systems, and predictive maintenance technologies.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and continuous improvement.

Key Competencies:

• Proven leadership and organizational skills, adept at managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, and able to work independently while taking ownership of results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective at leading and influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proficient with reliability engineering tools, CMMS platforms, and data analysis systems.

You will be required to successfully complete a selection process that could include interviews, an employment background check, a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen, reference verifications, aptitude tests (for some positions), and a fitness-for-duty test (for some positions).

Domtar is an equal-opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, color, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), marital status, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. We are also committed to ensuring reasonable accommodations for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990.

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If you are selected to interview, you will be contacted by a member of our Human Resources team.

To learn more about our company, consult the Domtar Company Web Site and follow us on LinkedIn , Instagram and Twitter .