Electrical Reliability Engineer
Stepan Company · Elwood, IL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $130k–$160k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at Stepan Company (chemicals) in Elwood, IL.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause
- Base pay
- $130k–$160k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $102k–$135k. This one lists $130k–$160k.
Median of the low and high ends of 13 live postings that list pay, out of 17 reliability engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 16 other live reliability postings in Illinois.
- Base pay
- About 22% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $102k–$135k, from 12 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 53%
- TPM 29%
- SAP 29%
- Team leadership 29%
- Lean 29%
- Automation 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 Stepan Company
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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: Stepan Company in Elwood
3 other open roles at this site.
- Area 2 East Production Specialist · Production · Specialist
- Area 2 West Production Specialist · Production · Specialist
- Maintenance Team Leader · Reliability · Supervisor
Full description from Stepan CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
What you likely have
Experience working with
- ✓Motors, drives, switchgear, and plant power distribution systems
- ✓Protection relays and electrical protection systems
- ✓Electrical safety practices (arc flash awareness preferred, but not a primary focus)
Experience
- ✓3+ years’ experience E&I, electrical, or reliability roles
Education
- ✓Electrical Engineering Degree
- ✓ISA or EPRI Instrumentation Certification Preferred
- ✓Equivalent combination of technical education and related experience.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
Electrical Reliability Engineer
Millsdale, IL | On-site
Own the reliability of an entire site’s electrical systems
We’re hiring an E&I Engineer to serve as the technical authority for site electrical systems - driving reliability, preventing failures, and ensuring safe, efficient operations.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you’ll move beyond reactive maintenance to root cause problem-solving and long-term system improvement.
What you’ll do
- •Own performance of medium & low voltage systems across the site
- •Lead root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and eliminate repeat issues
- •Drive preventive & predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) strategies
- •Support capital projects (design review, equipment selection, scoping)
- •Ensure compliance with NFPA, IEEE, NEMA, and hazardous area standards
- •Develop and maintain one-lines, schematics, and electrical documentation
Ability to
- •Read and update one-lines, schematics, and loop diagrams
- •Troubleshoot issues in a real-world plant environment - not just from a desk
Mindset
- •Strong troubleshooting approach with a focus on fixing issues for good, not quick fixes
- •Comfortable partnering with maintenance and operations teams
- •Confident acting as a site-wide electrical subject matter expert
Why this role
- •Be the go-to electrical expert for a manufacturing site
- •Drive real uptime, safety, and reliability improvements
- •Work cross-functionally with operations, maintenance, and engineering
If you’re someone who asks, “how do we make sure this never happens again?” - we want to talk.
Pay Range: $130,000 - $160,000
At Stepan Company our comprehensive benefits package includes
- •Discretionary Bonus
- •Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- •401K with Match
- •Profit Sharing
- •Paid Time Off (PTO)
- •Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD / LTD)
- •Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- •Health Savings Account (HSA)
- •Paid Parental Leave
- •Adoption Assistance
- •Reactions – Recognition Program
- •Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 19 global manufacturing locations and over 2,400 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.