Senior Maintenance Reliability Engineer

Perdue Farms; Accomac (VA); On-site; USD 114,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with employer match

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

Paid time off

Job summary

Perdue Farms is seeking a Senior Maintenance Reliability Engineer to drive reliability programs across plant assets, reducing downtime and improving efficiency. You will partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations to build and implement asset strategies and predictive maintenance techniques, enabling sustained performance gains.

The role requires a strong technical background in reliability within industrial manufacturing, with 5+ years of experience, and proficiency with RCFA/RCA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Reliability, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering; advanced degree desirable.
• 5+ years reliability experience in industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with RCME/ RCA and asset strategies.
• Experience using CMMS (IBM Maximo) and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead reliability programs to improve asset performance and uptime.
• Provide technical support to maintenance and operations teams.
• Develop and optimize asset maintenance strategies and preventive maintenance.
• Mentor maintenance supervisors and craftsmen.
• Mine data to identify reliability improvements and cost reductions.
• Collaborate with engineering to implement best practices for equipment life.

Skills

Reliability engineering

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

RCM

Predictive maintenance

Maintenance planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Advanced degree desirable

Tools

IBM Maximo

CMMS

Job description

Perdue Foods has a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins by creating products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe while changing the way animals are raised for food. It is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Drive equipment reliability and operational performance by leading strategies that keep critical systems running at peak efficiency. As a Senior Maintenance Reliability Engineer, you will lead the development and implementation of reliability programs that improve asset performance, reduce downtime, and support continuous improvement across the facility. You will partner with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to identify and mitigate risks, optimize equipment performance, and deliver solutions that enhance reliability and efficiency. This role is ideal for a technically strong, results driven engineer who thrives on solving complex challenges, improving systems, and making a measurable impact on plant performance.

The salary range for this position is $114,000- $170,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications with annual bonus available (variable depending on performance).

In addition to the base salary, Perdue offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/Rx, 401(k) with employer match after 1 year, critical illness, accident insurance, dental, vision, life insurance, optional group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts and paid time off.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the implementation of reliability concepts including development of Root Cause Analysis, Reliability Centered Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance technologies and Preventive Maintenance development/optimization to achieve high levels of availability of plants assets Driving increased production and uptime using reliability tools and processes, including Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), and Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Provide technical and engineering support and troubleshooting advice to maintenance and various operational areas.
• Subject Matter Expert in the design and operation of rotating equipment, development of equipment strategies (including lubrications, conditions monitoring, and preventive maintenance), and management of mechanical integrity (including tanks, pressure vessels, and piping).
• Develop and implement plans for continuous improvement of production equipment, processes, and process controls.
• Work closely with both operations and maintenance in the development of long-term equipment maintenance strategies and operator basic care (OBC) as well as support troubleshooting efforts through formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Provide technical expertise to the site with field application of precision maintenance techniques.
• Provide training, field coaching and mentoring of maintenance supervisors and craftsmen. Deliver a strategic reliability-centered maintenance approach to optimizing asset life and productivity through documented asset strategies.
• Develop and implement best practices for assets to improve the time between failures (MTBF).
• Utilize Root Cause Analysis processes to review significant failures, identify corrective action to prevent reoccurrence and refine asset strategy to sustain improvement.
• Mine data to identify reliability improvement opportunities and develop corrective actions focused on delivering Net Hours improvement and cost reduction.
• Develop engineering solutions to repetitive failures and all other problems that adversely affect plant operations. These problems include capacity, quality, cost or regulatory compliance issues.
  

Minimum Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Reliability, Mechanical or Electrical in Engineering; Advanced degree in this or related field is highly desirable.
• Must have five (5) or more years of reliability experience within an industrial manufacturing environment, preferably in mid-sized manufacturing companies in similar industries.
• Exposure to operations, process control, project engineering, plant maintenance, construction and new installations.
• Experience developing asset strategies (time-based inspection/replace, and condition-based tasks).
• Experience with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and facilitating Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Strong technical expertise in applying Precision Maintenance techniques in industrial manufacturing processes.
• Strong knowledge of Precision Maintenance procedures. Knowledge of equipment design and failure modes.
• Experience with interpreting forensic evidence to identify failure modes.
• Strong communication (written, oral and interpersonal) skills.
• Ability to lead and be part of cross functional teams.
• Experience with computer maintenance management systems (CMMS) preferably IBM Maximo.
• Advanced skills in basic personal computer software (Microsoft applications); Experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
  

Preferred Education And Experience

• Experience working in food industry.
• Supervisory experience with/Certifications in Predictive maintenance technologies (Vib, IR, UL, MCA/MCSA, Oil Analysis, NDT).
• CMRP or CRL.
• Certifications Certification in Lean Six Sigma ideal.
  

Physical Requirements And Environmental Factors

• The position is active on the floor activities such as troubleshooting and re-design of existing systems are routine.
• May need to move equipment occasionally.
• May need to access files, supplies and equipment. Work activity is where the processing equipment is located.
• Work environment includes, but is not limited to, a normal office environment and construction site as well as climate extremes found in a poultry processing operation, feed mill, hatchery and a wastewater treatment facility.
• Position requires an associate to have the ability to move throughout the complex and all facilities.
  

When In a Plant Environment

• Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity.
• May handle products from 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db. to 110 db.
• May be exposed to all chemicals used in poultry, food, and processing facility.
• Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company.
• Must be able to work in confined and or permit required confined spaces and heights.
• Must be able to work on and around operating equipment.
• Must be trained and use Lockout/Tagout.
  

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.