Reliability Engineer
Stepan Company · Wilmington, NC
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level reliability role at Stepan Company (chemicals) in Wilmington, NC. You will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and Site Leadership to improve reliability, eliminate losses, and support the long-term success of the plant.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- TPM, Root cause, EHS / safety
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 20 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 19 other live reliability postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $81k–$148k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 45%
- Team leadership 40%
- ✓ EHS / safety 25%
- PLC 20%
- FDA / GMP 20%
- Automation 20%
✓ = 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 Wilmington
1 other open role at this site.
- Process Engineer (Projects Focus) · Process
Full description from Stepan CompanyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Lead reliability and mechanical integrity initiatives that improve equipment performance, asset availability, and plant reliability.
- ◆Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and EHS teams to identify and eliminate production and reliability losses.
- ◆Facilitate root cause investigations and drive sustainable corrective actions for equipment and process reliability issues.
- ◆Develop, implement, and improve predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.
- ◆Support capital projects from concept through startup, ensuring reliability and lifecycle cost considerations are incorporated into designs.
- ◆Serve as a technical leader and trusted resource for operating, maintenance, and engineering personnel.
- ◆Influence site reliability strategy and help establish long-term plans that improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
Qualifications
- ✓Experience in reliability engineering, maintenance, asset integrity, or manufacturing engineering.
- ✓Working knowledge of reliability tools including PM, PdM, RCA, RBI, TPM, and RCM methodologies.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to lead projects, influence teams, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- ✓Strong communication, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Education
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
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. 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.
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Job Description
Fantastic opportunity to join Stepan Company as a Reliability Engineer at our Wilmington, NC manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Maintenance & Reliability Manager, this role provides technical leadership in asset reliability, mechanical integrity, equipment performance, and continuous improvement across the site.
As a key member of a small and versatile manufacturing team, you will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, EHS, and Site Leadership to improve reliability, eliminate losses, and support the long-term success of the plant. This position offers significant visibility throughout the organization and the opportunity to directly influence plant performance, capital investments, reliability strategy, and operational excellence. Candidates who enjoy taking ownership, solving complex problems, and leading improvements beyond their immediate area of responsibility will thrive in this role.