Unilever
Reliability Engineering Lead - Hellmann's Mayo Factory
Chicago, IL
Stay score
odds of building a lasting career here
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~30% per draw at Level II). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
Personalize to your clock →H-1B wage level
the lottery is wage-weighted — each level is one more entry
$3,253 more — $91,853 — moves this role to Level II and 2 lottery entries. That figure is inside the range the employer already advertised.
Based on the DOL prevailing wage for this occupation and worksite, a base salary of $91,853 would place this position at wage Level II. That figure is within the posted range, and I'd like to target it. This role classifies under "Mechanical Engineers" for prevailing-wage purposes.
DOL prevailing wage, 2026-27 wage year · Mechanical Engineers (17-2141) · Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Wage level is derived by USCIS from the offered wage, occupation and worksite; the occupation shown is inferred from the job title.
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About the role
- Earlier this year (March 2026), Unilever announced an agreement to separate our Foods business.
- McCormick has 135+ years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands.
- The transaction remains subject to consultation, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions with a targeted deal close of mid-2027.
Responsibilities
- Lead Reliability Excellence
- Own and drive key reliability processes, including preventive maintenance (PM) compliance, asset criticality reviews, bad actor elimination, KPI tracking, and action plan execution.
- Use downtime, OEE, and reliability data to prioritize improvements and implement sustainable solutions.
- Support troubleshooting efforts by providing technical guidance, securing resources, and escalating issues when necessary.
- Partner with Maintenance Planners, Reliability Specialists, and Operations teams to improve planning quality, schedule adherence, backlog management, and shutdown readiness.
- Drive continuous improvement in maintenance systems, reliability processes, and defect elimination programs.
- Lead Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Support safety and quality initiatives by ensuring audits, corrective actions, and compliance activities are completed effectively and on time.
- Engage external partners and equipment manufacturers to leverage technical expertise and drive reliability improvements.
- Develop People & Capability
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field.
- Minimum 4+ years of maintenance, reliability, or maintenance leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading maintenance technicians, technical teams, or cross-functional improvement initiatives.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements.
- Ability to communicate effectively across functions, leadership levels, and multiple shifts in a 24/7 manufacturing operation.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while successfully leading projects and influencing stakeholders.
- Experience working with a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System).
- Technical Curiosity - You enjoy troubleshooting equipment and improving system performance.
Nice to have
- Experience supporting industrial controls and automation systems is a plus.
- Hands-on knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs and automation platforms is a plus.
Compensation
- The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000.
- Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.
- Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.
Benefits
- Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan.
- Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
- If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com.
Company info
- Our Foods business, including brands such as Hellmann's and Knorr, will join forces with McCormick to become a global flavour leader, with leading positions across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by a strong retail and foodservice platform.
- At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do.
Equal opportunity
- Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
This listing is sourced directly from Unilever's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.