Reliability Engineer – Ultrafast Laser Systems

IPG Photonics; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

ESPP

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

IPG Photonics in Marlborough, MA seeks a Reliability Engineer to assure long-term performance of ultrafast and UV laser systems. You will lead reliability planning, testing, and failure analysis across R&D, manufacturing, and field service.

The role emphasizes MTBF, HALT/HASS, FMEA, and data-driven degradation models while collaborating with cross-functional teams to extend product lifetime and reduce field failures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 3–8+ years of experience in reliability engineering or laser/optical systems.
• Experience with: Ultrafast lasers (ps/fs fiber or solid-state).
• Experience with: UV laser systems and frequency conversion stages.
• Experience with: Optical coatings and nonlinear crystals.
• Strong understanding of: Laser physics and nonlinear optics.
• Strong understanding of: Thermal and mechanical stability in precision systems.
• Strong understanding of: High-power diode reliability.
• Experience with reliability analysis tools (Weibull, Minitab, JMP, ReliaSoft, etc.).
• Familiarity with HALT/HASS methodologies.
• Strong root cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop reliability plans for ultrafast and UV laser products.
• Define reliability requirements and qualification criteria based on customer requirements and industry standards.
• Perform reliability allocation and prediction (MTBF, FIT rate analysis).
• Develop reliability growth plans and tracking metrics.
• Design and execute accelerated life tests (ALT, HALT, HASS).
• Conduct environmental testing (thermal cycling, humidity, vibration, shock).
• Develop stress screening procedures for optical, electronic, and optomechanical assemblies.
• Establish degradation monitoring protocols.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for field returns and production failures.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on: UV-induced optical degradation.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on: Coating damage and contamination.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on: Thermal lensing and beam distortion.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on: Nonlinear crystal degradation.
• Perform detailed failure analysis on: High-voltage electronics failures.
• Apply structured methodologies (FMEA, 8D, Fishbone, Weibull analysis).
• Work with suppliers to address component-level reliability issues.
• Collaborate with R&D during product development to improve: Thermal management.
• Collaborate with R&D during product development to improve: Mechanical stability.
• Collaborate with R&D during product development to improve: UV optical lifetime.
• Collaborate with R&D during product development to improve: Nonlinear conversion efficiency stability.
• Conduct FMEA reviews for new designs.
• Recommend material and component upgrades to extend lifetime.
• Analyze field and test data using statistical tools.
• Perform Weibull and life data analysis.
• Build predictive degradation models for UV optics and ultrafast components.
• Maintain reliability databases and dashboards.
• Support field service teams in diagnosing complex failures.
• Analyze warranty trends and customer feedback.
• Provide technical reports on reliability performance.

Skills

Reliability engineering

Laser physics

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Weibull analysis

Minitab

JMP

ReliaSoft

FMEA

HALT/HASS

Job description

IPG Photonics in Marlborough, MA seeks a Reliability Engineer to assure long-term performance of ultrafast and UV laser systems. You will lead reliability planning, testing, and failure analysis across R&D, manufacturing, and field service.

The role emphasizes MTBF, HALT/HASS, FMEA, and data-driven degradation models while collaborating with cross-functional teams to extend product lifetime and reduce field failures.