Equipment Support Engineer

Operations Equipment Support Engineer

Working across the North American plant network, the Operations Equipment Support Engineer will partner with Corporate Engineering staff to drive standardization and improvement to all maintenance processes and practices in plant equipment.

Key areas of focus will include creating, optimizing, and replicating best practices in all aspects of Engineering Support for blow mold, IML systems, trimming equipment and other downstream and support equipment.

The Equipment Support Engineer will also develop and audit pro-active, preventative, and predictive maintenance programs as well as provide root cause/Failure analysis support for plant equipment.

This position reports to the Sr Manager, Operations Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies such as A3, 8D, RCA, and FMEA to identify and resolve equipment and process issues.
• Apply engineering fundamentals and technical expertise to develop, test, and implement equipment improvements.
• Lead or independently complete annual preventive maintenance activities, including documentation of measurements, readings, and required reporting.
• Support underperforming plants by identifying root causes of equipment and process issues and leading implementation of corrective actions.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for assigned equipment and provide technical training to plant operators and maintenance personnel.
• Partner with Central Engineering on major equipment overhauls, upgrades, and capital projects.
• Assist equipment vendors and plant teams with troubleshooting complex technical issues.
• Interpret equipment drawings and support plant personnel with accurate parts identification and ordering.
• Support tooling and mold maintenance activities and requirements.
• Assist with and/or lead equipment changeovers.
• Analyze bottle quality defects and correlate findings to equipment-related issues.
• Read and interpret mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and basic electrical prints and schematics.
• Develop and manage standardized operating conditions (SOCs) for equipment.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting beyond typical plant-level capability.
• Develop and implement improved methods and procedures to enhance equipment performance and reliability.
• Prepare technical reports, assessments, machine audits, engineering change documentation, and field reports.
• Deliver training in both classroom and production floor environments.
• Build strong partnerships with plant maintenance and operations teams to understand site-specific needs and implement effective solutions.
• Assess and recommend technical improvements to increase machine efficiency, effectiveness, and uptime.
• Ensure maintenance leadership teams remain engaged in reliability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate and validate corrective actions that impact equipment availability and reliability and leverage successful solutions across sites where appropriate.
• Utilize data and metrics to monitor progress, sustain improvements, and drive results.
• Submit weekly reports covering engineering hours, travel, expenses, and project activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned based on business needs.

Qualifications

Experience Requirements

• 5–10 years of experience in a manufacturing or plant environment with a strong emphasis on maintenance, equipment reliability, and process improvement.
• Hands-on experience with:
• Blow molding equipment
• IML systems
• Trimming equipment
• Downstream and support equipment
• Experience leading maintenance activities, troubleshooting equipment issues, and implementing reliability improvements.
• Strong understanding of industrial safety standards, policies, and best practices.

Skills and Qualifications

• Subject matter expertise in Continuous Extrusion Blow Molding, IML systems, trimming equipment, and related support systems.
• Strong knowledge of reliability engineering principles and life cycle cost analysis.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication, technical writing, and training skills.
• Ability to influence teams and build effective partnerships across multiple facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on commitments.
• Passion for innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office applications and AutoCAD.
• Strong understanding of bottle processing and manufacturing operations.

The standard compensation for this role is $81,500 - $122,300. Salary offers will be determined based on final candidate qualifications, experience, skillset, and other relevant factors.

Compensation Statement

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits Statement

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company's 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

EEO Disclaimer

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.