Failure Analysis Engineer - Hands-On FA Expert (MTS)

Covalent; Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Covalent, a modern analytical services and engineering firm in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a hands-on MTS – Failure Analysis Engineer to join the FA team. You will investigate failures using analytical techniques, develop failure hypotheses, and communicate conclusions with customers.

The role emphasizes X-ray imaging, SEM/EDS, cross-sectioning, and thermal/electrical localization; you will grow to lead customer interactions and analysis strategies, while learning new FA techniques and maintaining

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong experimental and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work hands-on with laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Ability to interpret complex datasets and connect measurements to physical mechanisms.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
• Curiosity and willingness to develop proficiency across a broad range of FA techniques.

Responsibilities

• Perform hands-on failure analysis of electronic, semiconductor, and/or advanced technology devices and assemblies.
• Plan investigations by selecting appropriate analytical techniques and sequencing destructive and non-destructive methods.
• Perform and develop expertise in X-ray imaging and X-ray CT.
• Perform and develop expertise in SEM and EDS.
• Cross-sectioning, polishing, and sample preparation; Optical microscopy.
• Thermal and electrical localization techniques; Lock-in thermography where applicable.
• Acquire, process, visualize, and interpret experimental data; Distinguish signals from artifacts.
• Develop hypotheses for failure mechanisms and design experiments to confirm or reject them; Maintain clear experimental records and produce FA reports.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

Data interpretation

Analytical problem solving

Technical documentation

Communication

Curiosity

Education

BS in Materials Science

MS in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Physics

Tools

X-ray imaging

X-ray CT

SEM/EDS

Infrared / Thermography

Lock-in thermography

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Data acquisition

Job description

Covalent, a modern analytical services and engineering firm in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a hands-on MTS – Failure Analysis Engineer to join the FA team. You will investigate failures using analytical techniques, develop failure hypotheses, and communicate conclusions with customers.

The role emphasizes X-ray imaging, SEM/EDS, cross-sectioning, and thermal/electrical localization; you will grow to lead customer interactions and analysis strategies, while learning new FA techniques and maintaining