Reliability Engineer

Reliability Engineer – Mining Operations

Location: Carlsbad, NM
Department: Maintenance & Reliability
Reports To: Reliability Manager / Engineering Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Reliability Engineer is responsible for improving the reliability, availability, maintainability, and performance of mining and processing equipment through the implementation of best-in-class reliability and asset management practices. This position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Safety teams to reduce unplanned downtime, increase equipment life cycles, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across mining and mineral processing operations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in reliability engineering, root cause failure analysis, predictive maintenance technologies, and industrial asset management within mining, heavy industrial, manufacturing, or process-driven environments.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Reliability & Asset Performance

• Develop and execute reliability improvement strategies to maximize equipment uptime and operational efficiency.
• Monitor asset health and performance utilizing key reliability metrics including:
  • Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF)
  • Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
  • Equipment Availability
  • Planned Maintenance Compliance
  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Identify and eliminate chronic equipment failures through data-driven analysis and corrective action plans.
• Support long-term asset management and lifecycle planning initiatives.

Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)

• Lead investigations into equipment failures and production interruptions.
• Conduct Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
• Develop and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with operations and maintenance teams to ensure effective execution of recommendations.

Predictive & Preventive Maintenance

• Manage and optimize predictive maintenance programs utilizing:
  • Vibration Analysis
  • Infrared Thermography
  • Oil Analysis
  • Ultrasonic Testing
  • Condition Monitoring Technologies
• Evaluate maintenance strategies and recommend improvements based on equipment performance data.
• Support preventive maintenance optimization efforts through reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) principles.

Mining & Processing Equipment Reliability

Provide reliability engineering support for:

• Underground mining equipment
• Conveyors and material handling systems
• Crushers and grinding systems
• Pumps and piping systems
• Ventilation systems
• Hoists and shaft equipment
• Processing plant equipment
• Electrical distribution systems
• Mobile mining equipment

Continuous Improvement

• Develop reliability-focused Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment performance and reduce maintenance costs.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Assist with budgeting and planning for reliability and capital improvement projects.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture and compliance with:
  • MSHA regulations
  • OSHA standards
  • Company safety policies and procedures
• Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and safety audits.
• Ensure reliability initiatives support safe and sustainable operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of reliability engineering, maintenance engineering, or asset management experience within:
  • Mining
  • Heavy Industrial
  • Manufacturing
  • Chemical Processing
  • Oil & Gas
  • Utilities
• Experience with:
  • RCFA
  • FMEA
  • RCM
  • Asset Management Programs
  • Reliability Metrics
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Mining industry experience strongly preferred.
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) certification.
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP).
• Experience with:
  • SAP PM
  • Maximo
  • Oracle Maintenance Systems
  • Predictive Maintenance Technologies
  • Power BI or data analytics platforms
• Experience supporting both fixed plant and mobile mining equipment.
• Capital project and shutdown planning experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of reliability-centered maintenance principles.
• Advanced troubleshooting and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to interpret equipment performance data and identify trends.
• Excellent communication and technical presentation skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives in a dynamic operational environment.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and industrial field environments.
• Ability to access underground and surface mining operations.
• Ability to walk long distances across mine sites and processing facilities.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms.
• Exposure to industrial environments including noise, dust, vibration, heat, and varying weather conditions.
• Occasional travel may be required to support projects, training, and vendor relationships.