R&D Reliability/Test Engineer

Formlabs; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust equity program

Comprehensive healthcare coverage

401K matching

Generous paid Parental Leave

Flexible Out of Office Plan

Healthy on-site lunches

Job summary

Join Formlabs in Somerville as part of the R&D Reliability Engineering Team where you will be responsible for managing and executing test plans to ensure the reliability of our products. You will conduct hands-on root cause analysis and collaborate with design teams from the product's inception.

The ideal candidate will be proficient in data analysis and experienced with electromechanical systems. The role also offers a competitive compensation where you can earn between $85,000 and $120,000 annually alongside substantial benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing system test plans efficiently.
• Passion for understanding complex electromechanical systems.
• Familiar with a 'physics of failure' approach in testing.

Responsibilities

• Manage validation test plans for product reliability.
• Perform root cause analysis on electromechanical failures.
• Collaborate with design teams to ensure reliability.

Skills

Experience with testing a wide range of sensors

Strong data analysis skills

Ability to prototype tests

Well-versed with complex electromechanical systems

Tools

Python

SQL

Linux systems

Job description

What Formlabs Does:

Do you want to change how the world creates?

At Formlabs, we’re building the tools that make it possible for anyone to bring their ideas to life, from cutting-edge products to life-saving medical devices. Our 3D printing technology powers innovation at more than 50,000 industry leaders worldwide, including Apple, Google, Tesla, New Balance, and NASA. Together, we’re helping creators design, prototype, and manufacture faster than ever before.

We’re a team of hands-on builders, engineers, and innovators reinventing how the world makes physical things. If you’re ready to shape the future of fabrication, come build it with us.

Your Impact:

The Reliability Engineering Team is the company's independent voice on product robustness, ensuring our hardware products are reliable so that Customers spend more time printing and less time troubleshooting. We architect effective testing strategies, engineer advanced electro-mechanical test rigs, and extract valuable, actionable insights from the data.

Are you a versatile and curious engineer who can see the whole system—from the smallest part to the user's workflow? Can you take complex data and turn it into a clear, compelling story? If so, join our small and agile R&D Reliability Engineering Team.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop, execute, and manage system, subsystem, and component level validation test plans to ensure products meet design and reliability requirements.
• Perform hands-on and data-driven root cause analysis (RCA) of electromechanical subsystems and field failures, utilizing common problem-solving methodologies and a "physics of failure" approach.
• Design, build, and implement automated testing equipment for subsystem characterization and reliability/environmental testing.
• Collaborate with R&D design teams throughout product development to perform risk assessments, manage continuous testing, and contribute to design reviews, influencing product design for reliability from day one.
• Analyze field failure data to identify trends, prioritize investigations based on business value, and develop clear, actionable corrective action plans (CAPAs).

Our team did the testing to ensure Form 4 would be the most reliable printer Formlabs has ever built:

• LCD & Light Engine: Developed custom rigs to simulate UV light and heat, continuously monitoring performance over thousands of hours.
• Mixer Scraper: Tested our proprietary debris detection hardware to protect the LPU from damage.
• Z-Axis: Conducted millions of cycles of accelerated lifetime testing to ensure consistent motion.
• Tank Film: Developed custom pneumatic fixtures to ensure that tank tension remained high after tens of thousands of layers.
• Cartridge & Dispense System: Optimized cartridge geometry to ensure reliable dispensing of all kinds of Formlabs materials.

Watch here to see a breakdown of these systems in action!

About You:

• Well-versed with complex electromechanical systems and passionate about understanding what it takes to make them work reliably.
• Have experience with testing a wide range of sensors, actuators, and mechanical components.
• Have experience developing system test plans and know how to execute them efficiently within fast-paced product development timelines.
• Can prototype and run your own tests, from experimental setup to hardware and software implementation in Python.
• Possess strong data analysis skills, capable of distilling complex test results and field data into clear, concise, and compelling insights that drive action.

Bonus Skills:

• Familiarity with Linux systems and scripting in various languages.
• Experience with SQL for data analysis.
• Prior experience with field failure analysis or quality engineering roles is a plus.

Our Perks & Benefits:

• Robust equity program to build future wealth through RSUs
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401K matching and access to financial advisors
• Generous paid Parental Leave (up to 16 weeks)
• Tenure-based paid Sabbatical Leave (up to 6 weeks)
• Flexible Out of Office Plan – Take time when you need it
• Ample on-site parking & pre-tax commuter benefits
• Healthy on-site lunches, snacks, beverages, & treats
• Regular sponsored professional development opportunities
• Many opt-in culture events across our diverse community
• And of course… unlimited 3D prints

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Even if you don't check every box, but see yourself contributing, please apply. Help us build an inclusive community that will change the face of 3D printing.

Compensation

We are all owners of Formlabs and direct beneficiaries of our success. We believe that equity is a critical component of compensation at Formlabs, and we want our newest team members to understand the potential value of their equity compensation. Full time employees receive equity, in the form of RSUs. Your financial investment will grow with us in accordance to your impact.

At Formlabs, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. Your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, location and expected impact on the organization.

The annual base pay range for this role is:

$85,000—$120,000 USD