Western Forge & Flange has been forging, heat treating, machining, and testing pipe flanges in the USA for more than 75 years. Western Forge & Flange provides world class flanges in exotic alloys including Hastelloy, Inconel, Titanium, Duplex and Super-Duplex, stainless, and copper nickel. The company’s operations also include open die forgings, ring rolling, and custom machine work to provide finished parts for a broad range of essential industries including military, petrochemical, and nuclear applications.
We are looking for an experienced Maintenance Engineer to join our great team in Cleveland, Texas.
Job Summary:
The Maintenance Engineer is responsible for ensuring the optimal performance and reliability of all plant machinery, equipment, and infrastructure. This role involves planning, scheduling, and executing preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to minimize downtime, optimize operational efficiency, and extend asset lifespan. The Maintenance Engineer will also play a key role in continuous improvement initiatives, capital projects, and maintaining a safe working environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Maintenance Planning & Execution:
•Develop, implement, and optimize preventative maintenance (PM) and predictive maintenance (PdM) programs (e.g., vibration analysis, thermal imaging, oil analysis).
•Schedule and oversee the execution of routine maintenance, inspections, and repairs.
•Diagnose complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic issues and implement effective solutions.
•Manage and prioritize maintenance work orders using a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
•Coordinate with production and other departments to schedule maintenance activities with minimal disruption.
•Manage IT Systems and assist with User Setups locally, on an as-needed basis
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis:
•Conduct thorough root cause analysis (RCA) for equipment failures to identify underlying problems and prevent recurrence.
•Implement corrective actions and design improvements based on RCA findings.
•Provide expert technical support and guidance to maintenance technicians.
Reliability & Continuous Improvement:
•Identify opportunities for process and equipment improvements to enhance reliability, efficiency, and safety.
•Participate in and lead continuous improvement projects (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
•Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), and MTTR (Mean Time To Repair) and develop strategies for improvement.
•Stay abreast of new technologies and best practices in maintenance and reliability engineering.
Spare Parts Management:
•Assist in optimizing spare parts inventory levels to ensure availability while minimizing holding costs.
•Identify critical spares and develop strategies for their procurement and storage.
•Locate machinery parts for all assets and facilities, Work with Vendors to determine cost, lead time and compliance to schedules.
Safety & Compliance:
•Ensure all maintenance activities are conducted in accordance with safety regulations, company policies, and industry standards (e.g., OSHA, NFPA).
•Promote a strong safety culture within the maintenance team.
•Participate in safety audits and hazard assessments.
•Train maintenance employees in LOTO, Confined Space and other hazardous conditions.
•Practices and lives a very demanding Safety Culture.
Documentation & Reporting:
•Maintain accurate records of all maintenance activities, equipment history, and spare parts.
•Generate regular reports on maintenance performance, equipment reliability, and project status.
•Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for maintenance tasks.
•Collaboration & Leadership:
•Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, quality, and supply chain.
•May provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior maintenance personnel or technicians.
To qualify for this role, you should possess:
Education:
•A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is preferred, or Tenured Experience in-lieu of degree
•Preferred: CMRP - Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional
Experience:
•10 years’ experience in the fast-paced industry of steel processing manufacturing including but not limited to Forge, Heat Treat, Saw, Machine Shop and facilities.
•Proven experience with CMMS software (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, Infor EAM, UpKeep).
•Demonstrated experience in implementing and managing PM/PdM programs.
•Strong track record of successful troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
Technical Skills:
•In-depth knowledge of mechanical systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, rotating equipment, conveyors, pumps, valves).
•Strong understanding of electrical systems (PLC/DCS, motor controls, instrumentation, sensors).
•Proficiency in reading and interpreting technical drawings, schematics, and P&IDs.
•Familiarity with various predictive maintenance technologies (e.g., vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasonic testing).
•Basic proficiency in CAD software and SolidWorks.
Soft Skills:
•Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
•Strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
•Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
•Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
•Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements:
•Ability to stand, walk, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
•Comfortable working in industrial environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, and potential exposure to chemicals or machinery.
•Able to work at heights of 10 feet and greater
•Able to work in confined spaces.
Industry-Specific Experience:
•Experience in Machining Shop Maintenance, CNC Lathe and CNC Mills Maintenance, Air/Hydraulic/Pneumatic systems
•Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and standards (e.g., GMP, FDA, ISO, API).