Reliability Test Engineer

Actalent; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Reliability Test Engineer in Mountain View, CA for a 12-month contract-to-hire. You will run environmental qualification campaigns on high-mass compute systems, using thermal, vibration, and shock testing and analyzing Linux logs to distinguish product issues from test infra anomalies.

You will collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Automation teams, documenting defects in Jira and maintaining lab rigor in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with Linux-based log review, telemetry, and packet analysis.
• Hands-on bench testing with environmental stress equipment.
• Strong debugging and fault isolation in lab environments.
• Ability to document defects clearly in Jira.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute environmental qualification campaigns (thermal, vibration, shock).
• Set up and run environmental stress tests on high-mass compute systems.
• Audit test setups, mount accelerometers, map thermocouples, and verify cables.
• Operate thermal chambers and vibration/shock tables.
• Provide first-level electrical and networking debugging for test infrastructures.
• Analyze Linux test logs, telemetry, and network packets to isolate root causes.
• Summarize anomalies and escalate to cross-functional teams.
• Document test setups, inventory, and defect tickets in Jira.

Skills

Linux command line

Python scripting

Electrical bench equipment

Environmental testing

Diagnostics and debugging

Networking basics

Test automation

Lab operations

Data analysis

Communication of findings

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Oscilloscopes

TDR

Multimeters

Power supplies

Electronic loads

DAQs

Thermal chambers

Vibration tables

Job description

Job Title: Reliability Test Engineer

Job Description

The Reliability Test Engineer will join a Verification and Validation team on a 12month contract to execute environmental qualification strategiesincluding thermal, vibration, and shock testingon complex compute modules and smaller ECUs. The role focuses on setting up and running environmental stress tests, performing first-level electrical and networking triage, and analyzing Linux-based test logs to distinguish product issues from test infrastructure anomalies. The engineer will work closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Automation teams to keep testing running smoothly, maintain high operational rigor in the lab, and provide clear, actionable defect documentation and escalations.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the hardware reliability team to plan and execute complex environmental qualification campaigns, including thermal, shock, and vibration testing on high-mass compute systems.
• Set up and run complex environmental stress tests on high-power, multi-PCB, liquid-cooled compute architectures.
• Audit and verify physical test setups, including accelerometer mounting, pre- and post-test sine sweeps, thermocouple mapping on GPUs, CPUs, and switches, strain gauges, cable routing, torque checks, strain relief, and liquid cooling connections.
• Operate and configure environmental test equipment such as thermal chambers and vibration/shock testing tables.
• Provide first-level electrical and networking debugging for complex test infrastructures, including racks, network switches, lab jacks, and DAQs, to quickly distinguish test setup issues from true product failures.
• Use bench equipment such as oscilloscopes, TDR, multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, and DAQs to investigate power rail integrity and high-speed communication issues.
• Work in a Linux environment to review and analyze test logs, telemetry, and network packets, quickly isolating error messages and identifying potential root causes.
• Summarize anomalies from Linux-based test logs and communicate clear, actionable failure data to cross-functional stakeholders, including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Test Automation teams.
• Execute targeted diagnostic and bench experiments under the guidance of Electrical Engineering and Test Automation leads to validate hypotheses and confirm root causes.
• Diligently document test setups, execution procedures, inventory status, and anomaly escalations using Jira, ensuring clear and complete defect tickets.
• Maintain strong operational rigor in a fast-paced lab by tracking inventory accurately, keeping test areas organized, and ensuring that all test configurations are clearly labeled and recorded.
• Provide crisp, actionable escalations to Mechanical, Electrical, and Reliability leadership when significant issues or anomalies arise.
• Support and, when needed, guide lab technicians to ensure test setup precision and mechanical quality control.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to keep testing running smoothly, proactively communicating status updates, risks, and blockers to relevant teams.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experience working in a Linux environment using command-line tools for log inspection, telemetry monitoring, and packet analysis.
• Proficiency in navigating Linux via the command line, quickly locating and transferring logs, and using keywords to filter and analyze test logs.
• Hands-on experience with electrical bench test equipment, including oscilloscopes, TDR, multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, and DAQs.
• Experience operating environmental test equipment, such as thermal chambers and vibration/shock testing tables.
• Experience testing electronic modules and performing reliability tests under environmental stress conditions.
• Experience troubleshooting high-speed communication links, including Ethernet, GMSL, and network switches, as well as assessing power rail health.
• Demonstrated ability to investigate system logs, interpret error messages, and write clear, detailed defect and bug tickets in Jira.
• Ability to run diagnostic experiments cross-functionally under the guidance of Electrical Engineering and Test Automation leads.
• Proficiency in Python for task automation and data parsing related to test execution and analysis.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in electronics, including isolating test rack, harness, or fixture anomalies from true product failures.
• Strong organizational skills with a track record of clear status updates, accurate inventory management, and timely escalation of test issues.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Automation teams to resolve issues and maintain test continuity.
• Comfort working with networking and Ethernet-based test infrastructure in a lab environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience testing high-power, liquid-cooled, multi-PCB computer systems.
• Fundamentals in Signal Integrity, including oscilloscope-based power rail debugging and TDR line fault analysis.
• Understanding of hardware reliability methodologies and environmental qualification best practices.
• Experience directing or guiding lab technicians to ensure precise test setup and high mechanical quality control.
• Hands-on experience operating and configuring vibration tables for shock and vibration testing.
• Familiarity with strain gauges, thermocouple mapping, and accelerometer placement for detailed environmental monitoring.
• Experience working with complex compute architectures, such as high-mass compute systems and advanced compute modules.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Work Environment

The role is based in a fast-paced, hands-on lab environment focused on verification and validation of complex compute systems and electronic modules. You will regularly work with environmental test equipment such as thermal chambers and vibration/shock tables, as well as electrical bench equipment including oscilloscopes, TDR, multimeters, power supplies, electronic loads, and DAQs. Day-to-day work involves extensive use of Linux command-line tools for log analysis, telemetry review, and packet inspection, along with Python for test automation and data parsing. The environment includes networked test racks, Ethernet and GMSL communication links, liquid-cooled, multi-PCB compute architectures, and a variety of test fixtures and harnesses. You will collaborate closely with Electrical, Mechanical, Test Automation, and lab technician teams, with an emphasis on clear communication, meticulous documentation in Jira, and disciplined inventory management. The culture values operational rigor, safety, accuracy in test setup, and proactive escalation of issues to keep complex test campaigns running reliably.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mountain View, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 31, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mountain View,CA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.