Hardware Quality Engineer

lambda; United States; On-site; USD 109,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Wellness and commuter stipends

401k with 2% company match

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

lambda is hiring a Hardware Quality Engineer to ensure our data center hardware and infrastructure meet the highest quality standards. The role emphasizes identifying and resolving quality issues, analyzing failures, and implementing effective improvements across the hardware lifecycle in our AI cloud infrastructure.

You will collaborate with operations, hardware engineering, supply chain, and external vendors to enforce quality checkpoints, track KPIs, and manage MRB inventory while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proven experience with hardware, data center operations, or infrastructure systems.
• Strong analytical skills, particularly in data analysis, statistics, and metrics.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis techniques (5 Whys, fishbone, 8D, A3).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage cross-team interactions and stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented and process-driven, with a strong quality mindset.
• Experience with quality tools or QMS software, including audit modules, ERP systems, and defect tracking tools.
• Proficient in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Record and monitor quality issues during deployment and operation of data center hardware.
• Perform root cause analyses for hardware, software, and process failures.
• Analyze production metrics and quality data to detect trends and vulnerabilities.
• Improve the efficiency of the RMA process to expedite resolutions.
• Develop, implement, and manage CAPAs for identified quality issues.
• Collaborate with operations, hardware engineering, supply chain, and vendors.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistics

Root Cause Analysis

QMS software

ERP systems

Defect tracking tools

Python

SQL

Job description

Hardware Quality Engineer at lambda. About the role As a Hardware Quality Engineer at Lambda, you will play a crucial role in ensuring that our hardware and infrastructure meet the highest quality standards within our data centers. Your primary responsibilities will involve identifying and resolving quality issues, analyzing failures, and implementing effective solutions to enhance the reliability and performance of our AI cloud infrastructure. This position requires close collaboration with various teams to maintain quality throughout the entire hardware lifecycle, making it essential for the success of our operations.

Key facts

Location: San Jose Office (Zanker)
Engagement: Full-Time
Compensation: $109,000 - $145,000
Team: Data Center Business

What you'll do

• Record and monitor all quality-related issues that arise during the deployment and operation of data center hardware.
• Perform comprehensive root cause analyses for various types of failures, including those related to hardware, software, and processes.
• Analyze production system metrics and quality data to detect trends, anomalies, or vulnerabilities that could impact performance.
• Enhance the efficiency of the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process to expedite resolutions.
• Develop, implement, and manage corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to address identified quality issues.
• Apply temporary fixes to maintain system functionality until permanent solutions can be implemented.
• Collaborate with operations, hardware engineering, supply chain, and external vendors to tackle quality-related challenges.
• Upload failure analysis reports and other relevant information into the Quality Management Systems (QMS) for tracking and reference.
• Assess the quality of incoming and outgoing spare parts to mitigate the risk of recurring failures.
• Establish and track quality Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), providing performance reports to management.
• Oversee Material Review Board (MRB) inventory, making informed decisions regarding rework or disposal of materials.
• Ensure the Quality Management System (QMS) is up-to-date and that necessary training is provided to relevant personnel.
• Work collaboratively across departments during hardware rollouts, deployments, and upgrades to enforce quality checkpoints and standards.

Requirements

• Proven experience with hardware, data center operations, or infrastructure systems.
• Strong analytical skills, particularly in data analysis, statistics, and metrics, to derive insights from raw data.
• Familiarity with various root cause analysis techniques, such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, 8D, and A3 methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage cross-team interactions, stakeholder expectations, and conflict resolution effectively.
• Detail-oriented and process-driven, with a strong commitment to maintaining quality standards.
• Experience with quality tools or Quality Management System (QMS) software, including audit modules, ERP systems, and defect tracking tools.
• Proficient in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice to have

• A background in machine learning, AI infrastructure, GPU, high-performance computing (HPC), or the computer hardware industry.
• Knowledge of data center standards and certifications, such as ISO and Uptime Institute guidelines.
• Experience in vendor quality management, supply chain quality assurance, or conducting incoming inspections.
• Understanding of firmware, embedded systems, and principles of reliability engineering.
• Familiarity with scripting or automation tools, such as Python or SQL, for data processing tasks.
• Exposure to cloud computing or hyperscaler infrastructure operations.
• Experience in applying manufacturing-like quality concepts to computing hardware.

Skills & tools

• Data analysis
• Statistics
• Root Cause Analysis (5 Whys, fishbone, 8D, A3)
• Quality Management Systems (QMS) software
• ERP systems
• Defect tracking tools
• Python (preferred)
• SQL (preferred)

Practical notes

• This role requires you to work from the San Jose office four days a week, with Tuesday designated as a work-from-home day.
• The position may involve up to 30% travel, depending on project needs.
• Lambda offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents, wellness and commuter stipends for specific roles, and a 401k plan with a 2% company match for U.S. employees.
• The company provides a flexible paid time off policy, allowing employees to manage their time off according to their needs.