Job Description

Reliability Engineer
Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL)
Waunakee, WI | On-site | Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

Eliminate failures. Strengthen assets. Drive reliability that protects life-saving production.

Scientific Protein Laboratories (SPL) is a global leader in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, producing critical therapies that improve and save lives worldwide. Reliable equipment is essential to delivering safe, high-quality biologics…and that’s where you come in.
We’re seeking a Reliability Engineer to lead reliability strategy and execution at our Waunakee, WI site. This role goes beyond reactive maintenance. You’ll drive failure elimination, optimize preventive maintenance programs, strengthen predictive maintenance capabilities, and influence capital investments that improve asset performance.
If you thrive on data-driven problem solving, enjoy leading technical initiatives, and want to make measurable impact in a regulated manufacturing environment, this is a high-visibility opportunity to do just that.What You’ll Do
As the Reliability Engineer, you’ll lead efforts to reduce unplanned downtime, eliminate repeat failures, and ensure maintenance resources are focused where they add the most value.
Reliability Strategy & Failure Elimination

• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for significant or repeat failures; drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure
• Conduct FMEA on critical assets to identify failure modes and optimize maintenance strategies
• Identify and eliminate “Bad Actors” (chronic problem equipment) through structured improvement plans
• Analyze CMMS data to identify downtime drivers, reliability trends, and improvement priorities

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance Optimization

• Own PM program technical strategy, including categorization, task optimization, and interval management
• Perform risk-based PM assessments (severity, occurrence, detection) and coordinate Quality-critical PM reviews with QA
• Develop and refine predictive maintenance (PdM) programs including vibration, thermography, oil analysis, and ultrasound
• Partner with Maintenance Planning to ensure PM content is technically sound and value-added

Asset Lifecycle & Capital Project Support

• Provide reliability input to capital projects, including design reviews, commissioning plans, and acceptance criteria
• Identify, propose, and lead capital projects that improve equipment reliability or eliminate chronic failure modes
• Support Asset Lifecycle Management (LCAM) processes for new or modified equipment installations
• Lead change control efforts for reliability improvements on GMP equipment

Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership to Engineering Technicians and experienced maintenance personnel
• Guide complex troubleshooting efforts and promote reliability best practices
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to drive sustainable reliability improvements
• Report reliability performance insights and recommendations to Maintenance, Facilities & Asset Systems leadership

What You Bring
Required

• Associate’s degree or higher in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, Reliability) or related discipline — or equivalent hands-on experience
• 2+ years of reliability, maintenance engineering, or related experience
• Experience performing or leading RCA, FMEA, or structured problem-solving methodologies
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret CMMS data
• Working knowledge of maintenance strategies within a regulated manufacturing environment

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering
• 10+ years of reliability or maintenance engineering experience
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biologics, or GMP-regulated manufacturing
• Experience implementing predictive maintenance technologies

Why Join SPL?

• Meaningful work supporting life-saving biologically based therapeutics used worldwide
• Competitive compensation package including base salary and recognition programs
• 401(k) with company match to support your long-term financial goals
• Generous paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
• Career development and leadership growth opportunities within a global biopharmaceutical organization
• Collaborative, science-driven culture that values integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement
• High quality of life in Waunakee, WI! A growing community just outside Madison with excellent schools and outdoor recreation

If you’re ready to eliminate repeat failures, optimize asset performance, and drive measurable reliability improvements in a GMP environment, SPL wants to hear from you

SPL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

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