Hardware Reliability And Materials Validation Engineer / Technician

Tata Consultancy Services; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tata Consultancy Services in Fremont, CA seeks a hands-on Hardware Reliability Tester to plan, execute, and document environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical tests on raw materials and electromechanical assemblies. You will verify durability against engineering specifications and collaborate with design and materials teams.

Responsibilities include maintaining lab safety, calibrations, data processing, and weekly reports, plus developing SOPs to streamline testing workflows.

Qualifications

• Equivalent combo of associate degree/technical cert and 3+ years in an R&D or hardware reliability testing lab.
• Proficient in environmental test chambers (thermal, humidity, salt fog/corrosion, UV/weathering).
• Experience with mechanical testing apparatus (tensile/ compression frames, shakers, adhesion testers).
• Strong analytical/metrology knowledge (surface energy, contact angle, optical inspection).
• Lab operations coordination, equipment troubleshooting, asset tracking, vendor mgmt, and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Plan, set up, and execute environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical reliability tests on raw materials and assemblies.
• Conduct surface and optical characterization to validate durability per specs.
• Oversee lab upkeep, calibration schedules, facility upgrades, and purchasing dashboards.
• Perform root-cause failure analyses, document observations, and file bug reports across teams.
• Develop and refine SOPs and test fixtures to streamline workflows.

Skills

R&D hardware testing

Environmental testing

Mechanical testing

Metrology

Lab operations

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Spreadsheet proficiency

Education

Associate’s degree or technical certification

Tools

Jira

Job description

Job Description

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills

• An equivalent combination of an Associate’s degree/technical certification and 3+ years of hands‑on experience in an R&D or hardware reliability testing laboratory.
• Environmental & Mechanical Testing Proficiency: Demonstrated hands‑on expertise operating environmental test chambers (thermal, humidity, salt fog/corrosion, UV/weathering) and mechanical testing instrumentation (tensile/compression load frames, vibration shakers, adhesion/peel testers).
• Analytical & Metrology Skills: Strong foundational knowledge of analytical metrology and materials characterization techniques (surface energy/contact angle measurements, chemical compatibility testing, optical inspection, and visual failure analysis).
• Lab Operations & Safety Acumen: Proven track record in laboratory operations coordination, equipment troubleshooting, asset tracking, vendor management, and strict adherence to laboratory EHS and chemical safety guidelines.
• Communication & Software Aptitude: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proficiency in data analysis spreadsheets, issue tracking software (e.g., Jira, bug trackers), and authoring clear technical documentation and SOPs.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Comprehensive Hardware & Materials Testing: Plan, set up, and execute environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical reliability tests (e.g., accelerated weathering, cyclic corrosion, temperature/humidity cycling, vibration/shock, and tensile/compression testing) on raw materials, coatings, adhesives, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Surface & Optical Characterization: Conduct precision physical and surface measurements (including contact angle metrology, roll‑off angle characterization, peel strength adhesion, and coating degradation analysis) to validate component durability against engineering specifications.
• Laboratory Stewardship & Operations: Oversee general laboratory upkeep, maintain equipment calibration schedules, coordinate facility infrastructure upgrades, track lab purchases and purchase orders (POs), and maintain reliability testing tracking dashboards.
• Failure Analysis & Issue Tracking: Perform root‑cause failure analysis on degraded or damaged parts post‑testing, document empirical observations, file comprehensive bug reports, and track issues to resolution across cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Test Method & SOP Advancement: Develop, refine, and standardize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and assist in designing custom test fixtures to streamline laboratory workflows and expand general hardware verification capabilities.

Day‑to‑Day Activities

• Test Profile Configuration & Execution: Prepare experimental samples, program multi‑stage test profiles on environmental test chambers and mechanical test frames, monitor active test progress, and perform scheduled interim inspections.
• Data Processing & Reporting: Extract, post‑process, and synthesize experimental test data; generate clear weekly status reports, maintain laboratory tracking metrics, and present technical findings during regular team operations syncs.
• Equipment Upkeep & Troubleshooting: Perform routine preventative maintenance on laboratory chambers and test fixtures, diagnose instrumentation faults, and interface with external equipment vendors and facility engineers for specialized repairs.
• Cross‑Functional Handoffs & Planning: Collaborate closely with mechanical design, materials engineering, and component leads to align on incoming sample handoffs, test prioritization, and design verification test (DVP) schedules.
• Lab Organization & Safety Compliance: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory working environment, participate in regular Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) site walks, and ensure proper chemical handling and storage.

Salary Range: $70,000-$120,000 a year