Engineering Manager - Reliability Engineering

Job Description

<p>Tesla&#8217;s Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to direct the site&#8217;s team of reliability engineers and discipline specialists. This critical leadership role owns the development and execution of the asset reliability and integrity strategy for our novel flowsheet, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate from spodumene concentrate in an innovative and fast-paced environment.&#160; </p>

Job Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of Maintenance & Reliability Engineers and discipline specialists responsible for the long-term reliability and mechanical integrity of all refinery assets
• Own the site’s reliability program using first-principles approaches: implement Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and predictive maintenance (PdM) technologies (vibration, infrared, ultrasound, oil analysis, etc.) tailored to critical equipment such as pressure leach autoclaves, calciners, slurry pumps, pressure filters, crystallizers, and solids handling systems
• Drive Mechanical Integrity and Asset Integrity programs in full support of the site PSM program (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119), including inspection strategies, corrosion monitoring, and fitness-for-service evaluations for equipment in caustic, high-pressure, and high-temperature service
• Establish and track key reliability KPIs (MTBF, availability, bad actor identification & elimination) and maintenance cost metrics; develop and execute improvement plans to optimize uptime and reduce total cost of ownership
• Lead the development and optimization of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), preventive maintenance (PM) plans, spare parts strategy, and work management processes
• Collaborate closely with Production, Process Controls, Process Safety, and Project Engineering teams on capital projects, Management of Change (MOC), turnaround planning, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Provide technical leadership in equipment selection, design reviews, and vendor management to ensure inherent reliability and maintainability are designed into new installations and modifications
• Conduct and support detailed failure investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence; champion a culture of reliability excellence and continuous improvement

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of progressive experience in maintenance and reliability engineering within chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, or heavy industrial facilities (lithium, base metals, or high-pressure alkaline leach experience strongly preferred)
• Proven leadership experience successfully managing and developing teams of engineers and specialists
• Deep expertise in reliability methodologies (RCM, FMEA, RCA), predictive maintenance technologies, and mechanical integrity standards (API 510/570/580, ASME, etc.)
• Strong working knowledge of CMMS systems (EAM, SAP, or equivalent), root cause tools, and data-driven reliability analysis
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in equipment availability and maintenance costs in complex process plants
• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills in a fast-paced, commissioning-to-steady-state refinery environment