Hardware Reliability Tech Lead: 0→1 Build

Hardware FYI; Sunnyvale, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Intuition in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Hardware Reliability Engineer Technical Lead to build the reliability function from the ground up, defining requirements and test strategies for high-reliability hardware across automotive, defense, and heavy industries.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage third-party labs and suppliers, perform root-cause analysis, and contribute hands-on with Python, C/C++, or MATLAB to streamline tests and data analysis.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on Hardware Reliability Engineering experience.
• Direct experience shipping products in consumer electronics combined with at least one heavy-duty/regulated industry (automotive, trucking, defense, construction, mining, or agriculture).
• Proven track record of defining product reliability requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, and managing 3rd-party suppliers/labs for execution.
• Practical scripting/programming capabilities (e.g., Python, C/C++, Bash, or MATLAB) for test automation, data extraction, or system integration.
• Demonstrated experience presenting technical reliability data and collaborating directly with enterprise/external customers.
• Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

• Build from 0 to 1: Architect, establish, and mature the hardware reliability function including processes and lab/supplier capabilities.
• Define hardware reliability requirements, HALT/ALT protocols, environmental stress testing, and failure criteria for harsh environments.
• Lead 3rd-party test labs and manufacturing partners to execute test plans on schedule and to spec.
• Cross-functional collaboration: serve as the reliability voice across hardware design, quality, and systems engineering; engage with customers.
• Lead root-cause analysis on hardware defects or field failures using physics-of-failure approaches.
• Hands-on contribution: use scripting to streamline testing workflows, data collection, and test execution analysis.

Skills

Hardware Reliability

Product Background

Technical Leadership

Coding Proficiency

Customer Facing

Education

Bachelor's or Advanced Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Python

C/C++

MATLAB

Bash

Job description

Applied Intuition in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Hardware Reliability Engineer Technical Lead to build the reliability function from the ground up, defining requirements and test strategies for high-reliability hardware across automotive, defense, and heavy industries.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage third-party labs and suppliers, perform root-cause analysis, and contribute hands-on with Python, C/C++, or MATLAB to streamline tests and data analysis.