Mechanical Reliability/Project Engineer

About Us

Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS) is a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions. Worthington Steel’s expertise in carbon flat-roll steel processing, electrical steel laminations, and tailor-welded solutions drives steel toward a more sustainable future. As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its approximately 6,000 employees harness the power of steel to advance customers’ visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting, and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Steel operates 37 facilities in seven states and 10 countries. The Rome, NY facility operates 24 hours a day, processing steel primarily for the automotive industry.

About the Role

This position serves as the primary mechanical engineering resource supporting slitting lines, rolling mills, hydraulic systems, overhead cranes, and material handling equipment. Working closely with Maintenance and Operations, the Mechanical Reliability Engineer / Project Engineer provides hands-on technical support, leads equipment reliability improvements, and manages capital and continuous improvement projects. The role offers an excellent combination of daily problem-solving, equipment reliability, and project engineering in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary mechanical engineering resource supporting a 24-hour manufacturing facility.
• Partner with Maintenance and Operations to safely troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment failures while minimizing downtime.
• Support the reliability and performance of slitting lines, rolling mills, hydraulic systems, overhead cranes, conveyors, and material handling equipment.
• Lead root cause investigations of recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Identify and implement reliability improvements that increase equipment uptime, safety, quality, and productivity.
• Design, modify, and document mechanical system upgrades and equipment improvements.
• Lead capital projects from concept through completion, including budgeting, equipment selection, vendor management, scheduling, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Coordinate contractors and outside vendors performing maintenance, equipment installations, and capital improvements.
• Develop specifications and evaluate bids for new equipment, replacement components, and contracted services.
• Develop and improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for critical production equipment.
• Identify and procure critical spare parts to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Analyze equipment performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate daily with production, maintenance, purchasing, contractors, and corporate engineering resources.
• Mentor maintenance personnel by providing technical guidance and engineering support.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with company safety standards, OSHA regulations, and applicable engineering codes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related engineering discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3–5 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with hydraulic systems, rotating equipment, power transmission, bearings, gearboxes, pumps, and industrial machinery.
• Experience managing engineering or capital projects.
• Proficiency using CAD and SolidWorks software.
• Excellent communication, organization, and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting steel processing, metals manufacturing, automotive suppliers, or other continuous manufacturing operations.
• Experience with rolling mills, slitting lines, overhead cranes, and material handling equipment.
• Knowledge of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Preventive Maintenance (PM), Predictive Maintenance (PdM), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Familiarity with vibration analysis, lubrication best practices, welding and fabrication, and industrial hydraulics.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and applicable mechanical engineering standards.

Why Join Worthington Steel?

As a Mechanical Reliability Engineer / Project Engineer, you'll have a direct impact on the performance of our manufacturing operation. You'll solve real-world equipment challenges, lead meaningful capital projects, and work alongside experienced maintenance and operations teams to improve safety, reliability, and productivity every day. This is an opportunity for an engineer who enjoys being on the plant floor, tackling complex mechanical problems, leading projects from concept to startup, and making a visible impact on a 24-hour manufacturing operation.

At Worthington Steel, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We recognize that individuals with diverse experiences and backgrounds are essential to our success. If this role interests you but your previous experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply—you may be the perfect candidate for this role or others within our organization.

Benefits

• Starting Day One – Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with 87% of medical premiums covered by the company.
• 401(k) – 3% company contribution plus a 2% company match.
• Quarterly Profit Sharing Bonuses.
• Paid Vacation plus 11 Paid Holidays.
• $180 Annual Boot Allowance.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• $5,000 Adoption Assistance.
• On-site Fitness Center.
• On-site Barbershop.
• Complimentary Coffee & Hot Beverages.
• Career Growth Opportunities in a collaborative, safety-focused manufacturing environment.

Pay

Salary Range: $65,000 to $110,000 per year. The anticipated starting salary will be based on the selected candidate's experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors.

Schedule

Full-time. Employees are expected to be on-site, with scheduled hours flexibility based on production schedules, equipment installations, and project requirements. As a member of the engineering team supporting a 24-hour manufacturing operation, occasional evening, weekend, or off-hours support may be required during equipment failures, major maintenance outages, and capital installations.