Reliability Engineer
Location: Topeka, KS
Function: Engineering & Maintenance
Employment Type: Full-Time
Role Overview
As a Reliability Engineer, you will drive a proactive culture dedicated to eliminating all maintenance and operational losses across the site. Utilizing proven technical frameworks, predictive technologies, and continuous improvement methodologies, you will architect and execute world-class maintenance strategies for both new installations and legacy systems.
In this role, you will champion and provide site-wide leadership for the Preventive Maintenance (PM) Pillar team. You will act as a mentor, coach, and technical authority—teaching, coaching, and assessing Associates on progressive maintenance strategies, asset care excellence, and structured problem-solving tools. Furthermore, the Reliability Engineer guides overarching site efforts to ensure the long-term reliability and maintainability of equipment, manufacturing processes, utilities, facilities, automation/controls, and safety/security systems while establishing standardized, sustainable maintenance strategies and processes across the entire manufacturing footprint.
What Are We Looking For?
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or related discipline),
OR
- 5+ Years of Industry Experience in manufacturing, processing, or industrial reliability engineering.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Analytical & Change Management Capabilities: Proven track record in data-driven decision making, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and leading cultural transformation toward proactive maintenance.
- Manufacturing Technologies & Pipeline Practices: In-depth technical knowledge of industrial manufacturing systems, processing equipment, packaging automation, utility systems, and pipeline/fluid handling practices.
- People Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead, engage, mentor, and develop high-performing cross-functional teams and technical specialists.
- Project Management Skills: Strong proficiency in capital and operational project management, schedule adherence, resource allocation, contractor management, and risk mitigation.
- Continuous Improvement & TPM Acumen: Hands-on experience with Total Productive Maintenance (internally known as MSE), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and standardized asset optimization tools.
- Systems & Tools Knowledge: Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS, SAP PM) and predictive maintenance (PdM) technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, ultrasound).
What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities?
- Team Leadership & Development: Oversee, develop, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of five Associates, including two Maintenance Planners, a Calibration Technician, a Continuous Improvement Technician, and a Reliability Analyst. Drive performance management, individual development plans, and team engagement.
- Maintenance Strategy & Execution: Maintain comprehensive oversight of the maintenance strategy for your designated area of ownership across the site. This includes end-to-end planning and scheduling of maintenance activities, rigorous auditing of preventive and predictive maintenance plans, and continuous tracking and optimization of key maintenance metrics (e.g., MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, schedule compliance, wrench time).
- Asset & Equipment Reliability Optimization: Systematically improve equipment uptime and performance through Asset Optimization programs, PM Optimization (PMO), and leading PM Pillar initiatives within our continuous improvement framework.
- Quality Calibrations Leadership: Serve as the site owner and subject matter expert responsible for the governance, execution, and audit-readiness of the Quality Calibrations program.
- Capital, Infrastructure & Value Creation: Prepare technical designs, project controls, engineering specifications, project schedules, and cost estimates. Oversee production, transportation, installation, testing, and/or commissioning of new infrastructure, facilities, and equipment through VLiC (Value Leadership in Conversion) initiatives—championing strategic cost-savings and conversion efficiency projects that offset inflation while ensuring zero loss.
What Can You Expect from Mars?
- A Values-Driven Culture: Work with diverse and talented Associates, all united and guided by The Five Principles: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom.
- Purpose with Impact: Join a purpose-driven organization where we are actively striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- World-Class Growth & Development: Access best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including extensive programs and certifications through our in-house Mars University.
- Comprehensive Rewards: Receive an industry-competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including an annual company incentive bonus, robust healthcare coverage, and 401(k) matching.
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.
