Reliability Engineer
At Horizon Organic, we’re growing a culture of passionate people driven to do good for the horizon we all share. We’re building the tomorrow we want to see. Every single day.
Joining our team means being part of a dynamic environment where your skills are valued, and your contributions make a real difference. We offer diverse opportunities for career growth and development. Embark on a rewarding journey with us in shaping the future of organic dairy!
Two generations of families—and counting—have grown up on Horizon Organic® milk. From the start, as the leading organic milk producer in the U.S., Horizon has been committed to delivering innovative, nourishing dairy that growing families can rely on. In 2023, Horizon Organic became a brand of Platinum Equity. Today, Horizon works with more than 500 farmers across the U.S. to bring high-quality, certified organic milk to consumers. For more information on Horizon’s full portfolio of organic dairy products, visit Horizon.com.
Horizon Organic is seeking a Reliability Engineer to advance and execute our plant-wide reliability strategy within a fast-paced, 24/7 dairy manufacturing environment. This hands-on, cross-functional role combines engineering expertise with front-line leadership to reduce downtime, extend asset life, and build a proactive maintenance culture aligned with Horizon Organic’s safety, quality, and operational excellence standards.
This role will lead reliability initiatives across UHT processing systems, filling and packaging equipment, utilities, automation systems, and plant infrastructure. As a Reliability Engineer, you will also coordinate shift-level maintenance activities, train and develop technicians, and ensure effective communication across operations, quality, and maintenance teams.
Horizon Organic Benefits:
- Competitive Starting Salary
- Bonus Eligibility
- Medical, Dental and Vision after 30 days
- Flexible Time Off per company policy upon hire
- 401K with Company Match eligible on the 1st of the month after 30 days, immediate vesting
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Fitness Reimbursement
- Employee Discount Program
This role will be onsite at the Salt Lake City plant.
About the Job:
- Lead reliability and maintainability initiatives across all production and utility equipment to improve uptime, safety, and product quality.
- Design, refine, and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs, including vibration analysis, infrared scans, lubrication standards, and oil analysis.
- Oversee failure analysis through RCA, 5 Whys, and FMEA, driving corrective actions that improve long-term equipment performance.
- Observe manufacturing processes daily and identify engineering opportunities for improvement.
- Maintain all reliability documentation including maintenance plans, procedures, equipment histories, BDAs, and change management records.
- Ensure all work aligns with food safety requirements, GMPs, PMO, and Horizon Organic quality standards.
- Train and develop assigned maintenance technicians in troubleshooting, equipment repair, lubrication standards, and safe work practices.
- Teach electrical and mechanical troubleshooting techniques (PLC, ladder logic, schematics, PID).
- Demonstrate Horizon Organic values of respect, teamwork, and support while modeling safe, compliant behavior.
- Provide technical guidance to elevate the skill level of the maintenance team.
- Work closely with Operations, Quality, and EHS to align maintenance activities with production needs and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in maintenance DDS meetings, SME/focus equipment meetings, and mechanic-to-mechanic shift handoffs.
- Communicate equipment deficiencies to operations and schedule improvements to completion.
- Support Autonomous Maintenance (AM) teams and collaborate on continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support CI initiatives focused on reducing downtime, improving safety, and optimizing efficiency.
- Participate in predictive maintenance activities and contribute to PM development, revision, and optimization.
- Correct unsafe or quality-related hazards immediately and track progress through appropriate logs.
- Prepare reports and documentation as required for compliance, audits, and budget tracking.
- Provide support and leadership to address repetitive problems to root cause, spend time on the floor to understand the problems and collect data.
- Coordinate team meetings to collectively develop a RC-PS to address repetitive problems.
- Consider having time flexibility for days, nights and weekends if needed when business KPI’s are compromised due to equipment reliability issues.
- Provide supportive leadership to drive positive culture in regards of Safety, Quality and Productivity.
- Strong ability to communicate with the teams across the plant
- Demonstrate positive Leadership and understanding about company policies and reinforcement and alignment with CBA policies and rule
About You:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required, degree in engineering, business, food science, or a related field preferred.
- 3+ years of operational and management experience within a food production environment.
- Experience with UHT (Ultra High Temperature) processing preferred.
- Familiarity with core plant equipment and systems, including pumps, hydraulics, electrical systems, boilers, compressors, and chillers.
- Prior experience in consumer packaging preferred.
- Strong planning, scheduling, and project management skills.
- Knowledge of food technology and related principles.
- Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and nonverbal communication.
- Ability to prioritize operations amid multiple and sometimes conflicting demands.
- Strong knowledge of GMPs and food safety regulations.
- Familiarity with TQM (Total Quality Management) and/or statistical process control methodologies.
- Knowledge of safety policies and procedures related to chemicals and machinery.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and proficient math skills.
- Excellent negotiation skills and the ability to navigate sensitive situations professionally.
- Team-oriented with the ability to lead and contribute to cross-functional teams.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Oversee the execution of preventive and predictive maintenance programs to ensure equipment reliability and compliance with plant standards.
- Partner with vendors to secure competitive pricing, availability, and support for maintenance operations.
- Communicate proactively and respectfully with Maintenance, Operations, and Plant Leadership to maintain a collaborative, solutions-focused work environment.
- Support and uphold all Horizon Organic management objectives, policies, and safety programs.
- Provide leadership and direction during periods requiring overtime, ensuring adequate coverage and support for plant needs.
- Foster teamwork by working cooperatively with employees and leadership to achieve departmental and Company goals.
- Support technicians and fellow supervisors in fulfilling daily maintenance responsibilities and driving performance expectations.
- Multi-craft expertise in electrical, controls, mechanical, pneumatics, hydraulics, and fabrication work.
- Practical working knowledge of plant utility systems—including boilers, compressed air, water filtration, wastewater treatment, and refrigeration systems.
- Strong understanding of PLCs, VFDs, servos, and automated plant systems.
- Working knowledge of national, state, and local building codes, OSHA standards, and industry safety regulations.
- Experience with industrial control systems (Allen-Bradley platforms preferred), motor control systems (servo and VFD), and automation troubleshooting.
- Ability to support a 24/7 operation, including flexibility to work various shifts as needed.
DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Horizon Organic Dairy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, genetic testing information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military service, status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, disability or any other consideration made unlawful by state, federal or local law. All employment practices and personnel actions, including hiring, termination, job assignment, compensation, discipline, and access to benefits and training are made without regard to any status protected under applicable law. It is our policy to select the most qualified person for each position in the organization, whether that is a new hire, a transfer to another position, or a promotion.
This policy applies to all persons involved in the operation of Horizon Organic Dairy, including, but not limited to, employees, vendors, customers and their employees, contract and temporary workers and anyone else on the Company’s property.
