Reliability Engineer

At Cleco, we're not just powering lives-we're powering a cleaner, smarter future for Louisiana. With bold investments in innovative energy solutions, we're transforming how we power our communities: smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable. This is a long-term commitment to our people and our communities because our future-and the future of generations to come-depends on it. If you're ready to make an impact where it matters most, join us at Cleco-where we're Energizing Your Tomorrow.

The Power Generation Reliability Program Manager leads and advances the company's Equipment Health / Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) and asset reliability programs across its power generation fleet. This role is responsible for improving equipment reliability, optimizing maintenance strategies, and reducing forced outages through data-driven decision making, predictive technologies, and cross-functional leadership. The Reliability Program Manager will be considered an expert in their discipline and possess in-depth knowledge of related processes and engineering tools to solve complex problems and drive strategic planning initiatives for critical generation assets.

The successful candidate will serve as both a technical authority and program leader, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain to implement best-in-class reliability and asset management practices.

Key Responsibilities

Reliability Engineering & Asset Management

• Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of condition-based maintenance (CBM) and predictive maintenance (PdM) strategies for generation assets.
• Perform equipment criticality analysis, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA/FMECA), and root cause failure analysis (RCFA) to reduce repeat failures and forced outages.
• Establish and maintain asset health indices, reliability metrics, and risk-based maintenance plans.
• Support long-term asset management strategies aligned with ISO 55000 principles and Cleco's business objectives.

Program Management

• Serve as the CBM Program Manager, owning program governance, standards, procedures, and performance reporting.
• Manage CBM technologies including vibration analysis, oil analysis, thermography, motor diagnostics, ultrasound, and online monitoring systems.
• Develop multi-year CBM and reliability roadmaps, including technology upgrades, staffing needs, and training plans.
• Track and communicate program benefits such as availability improvements, cost avoidance, and risk reduction.

Data Analysis & Digital Tools

• Leverage data from CMMS/EAM systems (e.g. SAP), historian systems, and monitoring platforms to identify trends and actionable insights.
• Develop dashboards and KPIs to measure reliability performance, maintenance effectiveness, and asset health.
• Champion the use of advanced analytics and digital solutions to support predictive and prescriptive maintenance.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with plant operations and maintenance teams to translate reliability findings into executable work plans.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers, technicians, and CBM analysts.
• Support outage planning, major maintenance events, and capital projects with reliability input.
• Interface with OEMs, vendors, and consultants to evaluate equipment performance and improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline with 10+ years of experience in power generation, heavy industrial reliability, or asset management or an equivalent of 15+ years of experience in power generation, heavy industrial reliability, or asset management
• Demonstrated experience implementing or leading CBM/PdM programs in a power plant or similar industrial environment.
• Strong working knowledge of rotating equipment, electrical systems, and balance-of-plant assets.
• Experience performing RCFA, FMEA, and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM).
• Proficiency with CMMS/EAM systems and data analysis tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across organizational boundaries.

Licenses and Certifications

• Program or project management experience (PMP a plus).

Key Competencies

BEHAVIORAL

• Building Organizational Talent*
• Building Partnerships
• Leading Teams
• Business Acumen
• Communication
• Courage
• Building Self-Insight
• Building Talent*
• Driving for Results
• Energizing the Organization
• Driving Execution
• Building Trusting Relationships
• Driving Innovation
• Planning and Organizing
• Safety
• Establishing Strategic Direction

May perform other duties as needed.

Salary dependent on experience, skills, education, and training.