Reliability Engineer
Smurfit Westrock · Roanoke Rapids, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Develop, implement, and sustain predictive and preventive maintenance programs aligned with plant reliability goals.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $81k–$148k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 21 reliability engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 20 other live reliability postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 10+)
Typical $81k–$148k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 48%
- Team leadership 38%
- EHS / safety 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Smurfit Westrock
We found 5 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Lance → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Smurfit Westrock in Roanoke Rapids
4 other open roles at this site · 5 people we found in reliability roles at Smurfit Westrock.
- Paper Mill Shift Supervisor · Manufacturing · Supervisor
- Pulp & Power Shift Supervisor · Manufacturing · Supervisor
- Sr. Project Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Maintenance Mechanic · Reliability · Technician
Reliability Engineer at Smurfit Westrock in other locations
Smurfit Westrock lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position summary
The Reliability Engineer is responsible for improving equipment reliability, asset availability, and overall plant performance through effective reliability engineering practices. This role leads reliability initiatives, implements predictive and preventive maintenance strategies, performs root cause analyses, and partners with Maintenance and Production teams to reduce downtime, extend asset life, and lower maintenance costs while ensuring safe and efficient operations.
Education & Experience
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- ✓2–3 years of experience in manufacturing maintenance, reliability engineering, or field service engineering
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Reliability Strategy & Continuous Improvement
- •Lead reliability projects to improve equipment uptime, optimize asset performance, and reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs
- •Develop, implement, and sustain predictive and preventive maintenance programs aligned with plant reliability goals
- •Serve as the site subject matter expert (SME) for equipment reliability, supporting internal teams and coordinating with external vendors
- •Drive continuous improvement by identifying chronic equipment issues and implementing sustainable corrective actions
Asset Health & Analysis
- •Conduct Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) to eliminate recurring failures and improve long-term equipment performance
- •Review condition monitoring, predictive maintenance data, and work order history to identify emerging failure trends
- •Perform quality assurance checks on equipment condition data to ensure accurate maintenance planning and execution
- •Validate maintenance work requests and repair strategies prior to scheduled outages or planned work
Safety & Training
- •Develop and deliver safety-related training for maintenance and technical personnel
- •Champion safe work practices and ensure reliability activities align with site and corporate safety standards
Collaboration & Leadership
- •Partner with Maintenance, Operations, and Engineering to align reliability initiatives with production objectives
- •Promote reliability-centered maintenance principles and encourage site-wide engagement and accountability
- •Coach and mentor reliability team members to achieve performance excellence
Technical & Analytical Skills
- •Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to interpret large datasets to drive data-based decisions
- •Proficiency in identifying failure modes, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing preventative solutions
- •Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS)
- •Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
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