Reliability & maintenance engineer

Syensqo is all about chemistry. We’re not just referring to chemical reactions here, but also to the magic that occurs when the brightest minds get to work together. This is where our true strength lies. In you. In your future colleagues and in all your differences. And of course, in your ideas to improve lives while preserving our planet’s beauty for the generations to come.

Maintenance & Reliability Engineer

Location: Syensqo – Anaheim Plant (Anaheim, CA)

Department: Maintenance / Reliability

Reports to: Maintenance Manager

Position Summary

The Maintenance & Reliability Engineer is a key member of the Anaheim plant maintenance organization, responsible for improving asset reliability, reducing unplanned downtime, and strengthening maintenance execution across production and utilities equipment used in the manufacture of composite materials. This role blends hands-on maintenance engineering support with reliability engineering leadership, with a strong emphasis on reliability improvement (bad actors), root cause analysis (RCA), preventive/predictive maintenance optimization, shutdown planning/execution, and support of small capital projects (CMM). This position provides technical leadership to a multi-craft union team and rotates coverage on 2nd shift, 3rd shift, and weekends to support off-hours troubleshooting, decision-making, and safe work execution. The engineer will use SAP as the site CMMS to drive high-quality work management, equipment history, reliability reporting, and MRO critical spares strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Reliability Improvement / Continuous Improvement: Lead reliability improvement efforts for chronic equipment issues (“bad actors”) using data-driven analysis and structured problem-solving. Perform and facilitate RCA (e.g., cause mapping) for equipment failures, develop corrective actions, and ensure completion and effectiveness verification. Develop and implement reliability action plans that reduce recurring failures, improve uptime, and lower maintenance cost. Drive reliability-centered maintenance (RCM)-type thinking and proactive maintenance culture across Maintenance and Operations. Track and report reliability KPIs such as downtime, MTBF, MTTR, repeat failures, PM compliance, and backlog health; communicate results and priorities to stakeholders.
• Maintenance Strategy, Planning & SAP (CMMS) Excellence: Prepare, review, optimize, and sustain preventive and predictive maintenance plans and task lists in SAP. Ensure PM/PdM strategies reflect manufacturer recommendations, plant experience, criticality, and risk-based prioritization. Improve work order quality (scope, job plans, safety requirements, parts, labor, permits) and ensure accurate equipment history and failure coding in SAP. Support maintenance scheduling and backlog management in partnership with Maintenance, Operations, and Planning.
• Shutdown / Outage Planning & Execution: Support the planning and execution of plant shutdowns/turnarounds and major line outages. Develop job scopes, resource plans, contractor needs, parts/kitting plans, lockout/tagout (LOTO) requirements, and readiness reviews. Coordinate pre-shutdown inspections and define corrective work packages to improve execution quality and schedule adherence. Capture post-shutdown lessons learned and drive follow-up actions in SAP.
• Technical Support (Mechanical/Electrical/Controls Interface): Provide technical troubleshooting support for stationary and rotating equipment and associated mechanical/electrical systems. Support production and utilities equipment including (but not limited to): mixers, ovens, utilities systems, dust collection systems, prepreg equipment, hot melt systems, and solution dip systems. Partner with controls/electrical resources to support equipment reliability improvements; familiarity with Allen Bradley PLCs and drives is a plus. Recommend and implement equipment upgrades/modifications to improve reliability, maintainability, safety, and performance.
• Small Capital Projects (CMM) / Maintenance-Led Projects: Identify, scope, and justify small capital reliability projects (CMM) aligned to site reliability, safety, and productivity objectives. Support concept development, technical evaluation, and execution (field coordination, installation planning, commissioning support). Ensure changes meet site standards and are transitioned into sustainable maintenance strategies (PM updates, BOM updates, spare parts, training).
• MRO Critical Spares & Materials Support: Support development and sustainment of critical spares strategy for reliability-critical assets (min/max levels, lead times, risk ranking). Improve spare parts accuracy in SAP (BOMs, descriptions, alternates, equipment assignments). Partner with storeroom/procurement to mitigate obsolescence risk and improve parts availability for outages and emergencies.
• HSE / Mechanical Integrity / Compliance: Promote and reinforce a strong HSE culture consistent with Syensqo expectations (safe work planning, hazard awareness, and compliance). Ensure maintenance activities incorporate appropriate HSE requirements (e.g., LOTO, energy isolation, hot work, confined space, line break, contractor safety expectations as applicable). Support the plant Mechanical Integrity (MI) program through inspections, testing, documentation, and follow-up corrective actions. Participate in safety conversations, incident learning, and risk assessments to prevent injuries and process safety events.
• Shift Rotation Coverage / Off-Hours Leadership: Participate in a rotating coverage schedule for 2nd shift, 3rd shift, and weekends, providing on-site technical leadership, troubleshooting support, and decision-making. Coordinate urgent work execution during off-hours while ensuring safe work practices and proper documentation in SAP.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent industrial experience). Typically 3–7+ plus years of experience in maintenance engineering and/or reliability engineering in a manufacturing, chemical, process, or industrial environment (composites experience preferred). Demonstrated ability to apply reliability tools (bad actor analysis, RCA/cause mapping, action tracking, verification of effectiveness). SAP CMMS proficiency (work order management, PM strategy, history, reporting; ability to drive data quality). Strong understanding of preventive/predictive maintenance principles, equipment troubleshooting, and maintenance best practices. Ability to coordinate effectively with multi-craft maintenance teams (union environment experience preferred) and external contractors. Working knowledge of industrial HSE expectations and terminology; commitment to safe work execution and compliance. Allen Bradley PLCs/drives familiarity is a plus (ability to collaborate effectively with controls resources is expected). Strong communication, organization, and prioritization skills; able to lead initiatives without direct authority. Willingness and ability to work rotating 2nd/3rd/weekend coverage as part of the role.

Syensqo Values

At Syensqo, we are scientific explorers pursuing breakthroughs that advance humanity. We value innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to safety and sustainability.

Note

This job description outlines primary responsibilities and requirements and may evolve based on plant needs, business conditions, and specific assignments. All work must be performed in alignment with Syensqo policies and applicable local regulations.

You will get: Competitive salary and benefits package. The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $80,800 to $101,000 per year. Since actual compensation packages are based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted base salary range. Total compensation for this role also includes bonus and/or other incentives. 16, or more, weeks of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations Training platform for all employees Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)

Other Information:

Onsite: Anaheim, Ca site Must be a US Citizen or Greencard holder

About us

Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates. Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity. At Syensqo, we seek to promote unity and not uniformity. We value the diversity that individuals bring and we invite you to consider a future with us, regardless of background, age, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability or identity. We encourage individuals who may require any assistance or accommodations to let us know to ensure a seamless application experience. We are here to support you throughout the application journey and want to ensure all candidates are treated equally. If you are unsure whether you meet all the criteria or qualifications listed in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.