Hardware Reliability Engineer - Mac System Reliability

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a System Reliability Engineer to shape long-term product durability, reliability, and customer experience. You will characterize usage patterns, design controlled lab tests, and coordinate design validation across multiple hardware teams to drive continuous improvements.

You will lead test procedures, analyze results, and communicate root causes and mitigations. Strong problem solving and collaboration are essential in this role at Apple’s Cupertino facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, materials engineering, physics, or related field.
• 3+ years of industry experience in reliability or related area.
• Strong written and verbal English communication.
• Ability to communicate via email, WebEx, and phone.

Responsibilities

• Characterize usage patterns and translate into lab tests.
• Lead cross-functional design verification and reliability tests.
• Develop new test procedures and analyze results for design risk.
• Collaborate with hardware teams to improve product reliability.

Skills

Materials/Device properties

Statistical data analysis

Failure analysis techniques

Reliability test design

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Job description

Apple is seeking a Reliability Engineer to join our Mac Hardware Reliability team! In this role, you’ll collaborate with diverse hardware teams to ensure our products are not only durable and reliable, but also built to exceed expectations. From early concepts to field returns, you’ll lead cross-functional teams, design innovative reliability tests, and drive continuous product improvements. At Apple, we don’t just follow industry standards—we push beyond them. We value creative problem-solving, dynamic thinking, and the ability to quickly adapt to new technical challenges. If you’re excited about tackling tough problems and shaping the future of amazing products, we’d love to have you on board!

DESCRIPTION

As a System Reliability Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping our products, ensuring longevity by design. You will be responsible for characterizing product usage patterns, translating them into controlled lab tests, and coordinating timely design validation efforts. With these results, you will collaborate through design iterations ensuring our products meet high standards for customer experience. You bring exceptional problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

• A deep understanding of material and device properties (mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal) and the underlying physics
• Proficiency in statistical data analysis and clear reporting, providing design risk assessments and guiding product improvements
• Strong theoretical knowledge in physical failure analysis techniques, such as SEM/EDX/X-Ray and other characterization techniques
• Proven ability to develop new reliability test procedures, create detailed test plans, and analyze results to assess design risks

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in technical field (mechanical engineering, materials engineering, electrical engineering, physics or related fields) with 3+ years of industry experience
• Good written and verbal English communication skills
• Ability to effectively communicate through email, WebEx, and phone
• Ability to make clear and concise slides and presentations through keynote, excel, etc.
• Strong attention to detail and curiosity of how technologies work
• Able to use basic productivity apps such as email, web browser, calendar, WebEx/Zoom, spreadsheet, keynote/ppt, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• M.S. or PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent field
• Statistical experience such as Weibull, JMP, or familiarity with accelerated test models
• Familiar with Failure Analysis techniques (Optical Microscopy, X-ray/CT, Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, etc.), and the ability to use failure analysis methodology to derive a root cause of failure
• Collaborative attitude and ability to cross-functionally work effectively
• Ability to travel internationally without restriction (up to 10%)