Reliability Technical Authority

Company: INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
Job Title: Reliability Technical Authority
Location: Houston Area Operating Sites
Job Grade: H37
Organizational Context and Job Purpose

INESO Olefins & Polymers USA (O&P USA) is a leading chemical company with assets exceeding $15B. The Reliability & Machinery Technical Authority is the senior expert and decision-maker for rotating equipment and reliability engineering, responsible for defining and governing enterprise standards, reliability strategies, and lifecycle care practices. This transformation‑focused role architectures, implements, and leads the company’s first enterprise‑wide reliability program across all sites, directly influencing operational continuity, regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and capital investment decisions.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Enterprise Reliability Strategy & Governance

– Own and maintain reliability standards, lifecycle care strategies, and machinery management processes; exercise final decision authority on deviations from enterprise reliability expectations; integrate reliability governance into engineering design, operations, TAR planning, maintenance strategies, and end‑of‑life decisions; serve as senior technical authority for all machinery reliability decisions.
Multi‑Year Transformation Leadership

– Define and lead the long‑term enterprise reliability strategy and roadmap; assess current reliability maturity, identify systemic gaps, and drive standardization across sites; lead enterprise deployment of RCM, predictive analytics, and advanced monitoring programs; establish common expectations for condition‑based monitoring (vibration, oil analysis, thermography) and ensure consistent application.
Asset Lifecycle Risk Management

– Govern RCM, CBM, and lifecycle analysis programs; ensure recommendations are implemented and refreshed based on operational or TAR learnings; align asset criticality, failure modes, and preventive task strategies with lifecycle risk and business impact; oversee integration of reliability considerations into TAR scope, capital planning, and maintenance strategies; approve or challenge scope deferrals that materially affect reliability or residual risk.
Performance Monitoring & Assurance

– Track site reliability performance, including unplanned downtime, MTBF, chronic failures, and CBM/PM compliance; review TAR rotating equipment scope and assess residual risks associated with deferrals or omissions; lead targeted performance improvement initiatives addressing systemic reliability issues; ensure all major rotating assets and extruders have current, risk‑informed lifecycle care strategies.
TAR & Capital Project Influence

– Ensure TAR scopes reflect lifecycle care strategies and risk‑based priority‑setting; influence capital allocation for reliability‑driven investments ($25MM+ annually); provide authoritative input on machinery upgrades, rebuild/replacement decisions, and high‑risk operational constraints.
Competency Development & Functional Leadership

– Define and maintain competency requirements for reliability and mechanical engineers; lead a functional network of reliability specialists to ensure consistent execution and knowledge sharing; coach site engineering and maintenance leaders on reliability decision‑making; validate competency of site engineering personnel prior to delegating machinery‑related decision rights.
External Engagement & Leadership

– Represent INEOS in industry forums, OEM advisory groups, and technical committees; scan the external environment to identify new technologies, practices, and standards; bring external learnings into INEOS and drive adoption where they deliver value; build and maintain strong technical relationships with OEMs, repair shops, and specialist engineering firms.
Contract Strategy & Technical Stewardship

– Shape enterprise strategy for engaging OEMs, repair shops, and third‑party engineering resources; evaluate vendor capabilities and technical quality; endorse new technologies, diagnostic tools, and engineering services before enterprise adoption; provide technical direction that ensures consistency in service quality, repair standards, and rebuild practices.
Skills & Knowledge Required

Education

– Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (advanced degree preferred).
Experience

– 20+ years in reliability engineering, rotating equipment, maintenance, or asset management in refining, petrochemical, or large‑scale process industries.
Key Skills

– Proven experience leading reliability program development or enterprise‑scale reliability improvement; deep expertise in RCM, lifecycle management, failure mode analysis, CBM technologies, and degradation mechanisms; strong leadership presence and ability to influence across organizational boundaries; recognized internally and ideally externally as a subject matter expert; deep understanding of compressors, pumps, turbines, extruders, and auxiliary systems; strong experience deploying and interpreting predictive technologies; expertise in asset criticality, preventive/predictive maintenance strategy, and risk‑based scope selection; skilled in integrating reliability expectations into TAR planning and capital project development; advanced troubleshooting and failure analysis capabilities, including OEM engagement; knowledge of API, ASME, SMRP, and OEM technical guidance; proficiency with maintenance execution systems (e.g., SAP), BOM development, and spares strategies; persistent, accountable, and committed to resolving chronic reliability issues; strong communicator capable of simplifying complex technical issues for non‑technical audiences; influences effectively without formal authority; demonstrates strong judgment, humility, credibility, and long‑term stewardship; brings curiosity, external awareness, and continuous improvement mindset to the role; builds capability in others through coaching and structured follow‑up.
Location & Reporting

Based in the Houston metropolitan area, supporting multiple O&P USA locations including Battleground Manufacturing Complex, Chocolate Bayou, and the Pipeline organization across Southeast Texas. The role spends majority of time embedded at operating sites, providing hands‑on technical leadership and coaching; a secondary presence is expected at the corporate office in League City for collaboration with central teams and leadership. The position reports to the Engineering & Technology Manager and works closely with site engineering, maintenance, operations, turnaround, and capital project leadership teams. Hybrid work is supported, with remote work used to enhance productivity and on‑site presence essential for effective reliability support and engagement.

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