Senior Reliability Engineer - San Leandro, CA

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chocolate manufacturer in San Leandro, CA is seeking a Senior Reliability Engineer to enhance equipment reliability and reduce downtime. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in reliability or maintenance engineering, especially within manufacturing. Responsibilities include developing maintenance programs, leading reliability initiatives, and improving KPIs. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and a strong analytical background. This position offers opportunities to lead cross-functional teams toward cost-effective manufacturing performance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in reliability or maintenance engineering in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of leading cost-reduction and uptime improvement initiatives.
• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs.
• Lead multi-site reliability improvement programs.
• Define, track, and improve reliability KPIs.

Skills

Reliability engineering

Preventive maintenance

FMEA

CMMS

Root cause analysis

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Reliability modeling tools

Job description

Senior Reliability Engineer - San Leandro, CA

The Senior Reliability Engineer will lead efforts to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize maintenance strategies across production operations. This role bridges engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing performance.

Scope of Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs using CMMS and reliability modeling tools.
• Lead multi-site reliability improvement programs and capital planning.
• Develop long-term asset management strategies aligned with business goals.
• Serve as SME for reliability engineering during audits, vendor evaluations, and CAPEX projects.
• Present reliability performance and cost‑saving initiatives to senior leadership.
• Drive adoption of advanced analytics, digital tools, and condition‑based monitoring.
• Partner with OEMs and engineering to improve equipment design to eliminate losses
• Own and implement breakdown analysis system (BDA) in the factory
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) for critical equipment.
• Define, track, and improve reliability KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, downtime, cost per intervention).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to drive continuous improvement and equipment upgrades.
• Manage external service providers and ensure compliance with safety and technical standards.
• Identify critical parts and their reorder levels.
• Optimize spare parts inventory and standardization across production lines.
• Support capital projects and annual shutdown planning with reliability input.
• Train and mentor junior technicians and engineers in reliability best practices.
• Prepare preventive maintenance operations and annual shutdowns (preparation of the necessary human and material resources, etc.).
• Participate in the selection of new equipment and ensure the integration of maintenance constraints in the design of equipment.
• Prioritize maintenance actions within the allocated budget to meet production constraints.
• Update and improve the quality of the technical documentation used within the maintenance department.
• Serve on the Preventative Maintenance Pillar and support the other TMP pillars in the factory
• Work closely with the training department on technician skill gap closure
• Other duties as assigned by manager

Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering
• 7+ years of experience in reliability or maintenance engineering in a manufacturing environment
• Proven track record of leading cost‑reduction and uptime improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in CMMS, FMEA, RCA, and reliability modeling
• Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries; Chocolate experience desired
• Ability to work effectively in a Union environment
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) or Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
• Clear oral and written presentation skills
• Experience with TPM methodology preferred

Other Job Requirements

• High cognitive demand for strategic planning, data analysis, and cross‑functional coordination
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Clear communication and decision‑making under pressure
• Must be able to work from heights
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, and climb ladders for extended periods
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs occasionally
• Frequent use of keyboard and screen‑based systems
• Travel up to 10% (local vendor visits, training, or sister site support)
• Exposure to vibration, moving mechanical parts and loud noise
• Capable of using protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, safety shoes, hearing protection, air masks, respirators, etc. in the performance of job duties