Senior Manager, Failure Analysis

NVIDIA Corporation; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 232,000 - 368,000; Full time

Job summary

NVIDIA Corporation is seeking a Head of Failure Analysis to lead the failure analysis function from strategy to execution. You will conduct hands-on investigations of complex hardware failures and mentor a team of engineers to improve reliability across products.

This role blends bench work with leadership, partnering with manufacturing, firmware, quality, and supplier teams to implement corrective actions and expand FA capabilities for scalable reliability and long-term partnerships.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS in Mechanical, Chemical, Aerospace, Materials Science or related field required.
• 10+ years in failure analysis, reliability, materials science with leadership experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to present to executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex RCA investigations on deployed hardware and systems.
• Use advanced diagnostic techniques and lab testing to identify failure modes.
• Develop corrective actions and preventive measures to improve reliability at scale.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, firmware, quality and suppliers to implement changes.
• Plan testing programs, modeling, and reproduce field conditions for validation.
• Present findings and recommendations to engineering, legal, business, and external partners.
• Mentor junior engineers and expand FA capabilities and partnerships.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Data analytics

Problem solving

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. or MS in Mechanical Eng., Chemical Eng., Aerospace Eng., Materials Science or related field

Tools

SEM

FIB

Digital/RF test instruments

Job description

NVIDIA has been transforming computer graphics, PC gaming, and accelerated computing for more than 25 years. It's an outstanding legacy of innovation that's fueled by great technology — and outstanding people. Today, we're tapping into the unlimited potential of AI to develop the next era of computing. If you share our passion for invention and are ready to make a real difference, come join us.

As Head of Failure Analysis, you will lead NVIDIA's failure analysis function from start to finish. You will conduct hands‑on investigations of complex hardware and system failures. You will also craft the methodologies, lab capabilities, and talent that maintain our products' innovative reliability. This role combines deep technical expertise with organizational leadership. It requires someone equally skilled at the bench and presenting to company leaders.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead and personally carry out complex, multi‑disciplinary failure and root cause analysis (RCA) investigations on deployed hardware, electronic components, and coordinated systems.
• Use advanced diagnostic techniques (SEM, FIB, digital/RF test gear), lab testing, data analytics, and structured problem‑solving methods to identify exact failure modes and mechanisms.
• Develop, complete, and validate corrective actions — both short‑term fixes and long‑term preventive measures — to drive product reliability at scale.
• Partner closely with build, manufacturing, firmware, quality, and supplier teams to communicate technical findings, drive build changes, and resolve cross‑functional issues.
• Plan and complete testing programs, including engineering calculations, laboratory experiments, analytical or computational modeling, and reproduction of elusive field conditions.
• Prepare and present written reports, proposals, and presentations conveying technical conclusions to audiences spanning engineering, legal, business, and industry collaborators.
• Mentor junior engineers in FA procedures and guide the continuous development of organizational failure analysis methodologies, processes, and lab capabilities.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand NVIDIA's FA capabilities and strategic partnerships across the supply chain and with external technical experts.

What We Need To See:

• Ph.D. or M.S. or equivalent experience in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, with strong theoretical and applied knowledge of structural analysis, material science, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Over 10 years of advancing experience in failure analysis, product reliability, and materials science, with a proven record of leading investigations on complex hardware or coordinated systems.
• 5 years of leadership experience.
• Extensive knowledge of failure analysis techniques, hazard recognition, and incident examination employing established frameworks; practical experience with sophisticated lab tools such as SEM, FIB, and digital/RF test instruments.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware/software interactions and reproduce elusive field failure conditions in a controlled environment.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and working alongside experts in engineering, manufacturing, quality, legal, and business areas.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical findings to engineering, legal, and business audiences.

Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd:

• Experience in the semiconductor, high‑performance computing, or AI hardware industry, with familiarity with GPU or data‑center‑scale system reliability challenges.
• Publication record or recognized contributions to FA methodology development, materials characterization, or reliability engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to develop or enlarge a failure analysis unit, involving lab infrastructure, tool resources, and team advancement.

Domestic and international, 40% travel will be required to support investigations, supplier audits, and client engagements.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward‑thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you! Your base salary will be determined based on your location, experience, and the pay of employees in similar positions. The base salary range is 232,000 USD - 368,000 USD.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until September 19, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy. NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes. NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NVIDIA pioneered accelerated computing. Today, our AI infrastructure powers global intelligence, transforming every industry. Learn more about NVIDIA.