Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer - Drive by Wire

AURORA; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora is seeking a Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer to oversee reliability testing for automotive drive-by-wire hardware across ECUs, actuators, and motors. You will work with HW, electrical, firmware, mechanical, software and manufacturing teams to ensure robust, high‑reliability hardware for autonomous systems.

The role emphasizes leading root-cause analyses, implementing corrective actions, and mentoring teams while advancing reliability standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in hardware reliability engineering, preferably automotive, aerospace or heavy‑duty vehicle.
• Strong understanding of reliability testing methodologies (HALT/HASS, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity).
• Experience leading root cause analysis and corrective action processes (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone).

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware reliability testing and validation for automotive drive-by-wire systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to ensure system reliability.
• Develop and monitor reliability testing protocols, including stress and environmental tests.
• Analyze failure data to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Create detailed reports on testing results and drive hardware improvements.
• Mentor reliability engineers and promote best practices across teams.

Skills

Hardware reliability

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Data analysis (Python)

Education

Bachelor/Master in Robotics or EE/Mech

Tools

HALT/HASS

Weibull++

dfMEA

Python

JMP

Job description

Who we are

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.

What we are looking for

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all.

We’re searching for a Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer.The Hardware Reliability team is dedicated to ensuring the robustness and dependability of hardware systems in the Aurora hardware stack. Our team is responsible for designing tests, and validating the hardware components that form the backbone of Aurora’s autonomous systems, ensuring they meet the highest Automotive standards of performance and durability under our tough field conditions.

In this role you will

• Lead and oversee hardware reliability testing and validation for automotive drive by wire systems used in autonomous vehicles comprising ECUs, actuators, motors etc.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including external partners, as well as internal HW-systems, electrical, firmware, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams, to ensure overall system reliability.
• Develop, implement, and monitor reliability testing protocols, including stress tests, environmental tests, and failure mode analysis.
• Analyze failure data to identify root causes of hardware reliability issues and implement corrective actions.
• Create detailed reports on reliability testing, findings, and corrective actions and present them to stakeholders to drive decisions around hardware improvements and risk.
• Drive continuous improvement in hardware design and development processes to meet automotive reliability standards.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to reliability engineers, helping drive adoption of reliability best practices across teams.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Robotics (preferred), Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in hardware reliability engineering, preferably in the automotive, aerospace, or heavy-duty vehicle industry.
• Strong understanding of hardware design principles, reliability testing methodologies (e.g., HALT/HASS, vibration, thermal cycling, humidity), and failure analysis techniques.
• Experience working with joint development partners, systems and software development teams and HW/SW interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes (e.g., 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) for hardware reliability issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software (e.g., Python, JMP…) and familiarity with reliability prediction and assurance tools and methods (e.g., Weibull++, dFMEA)
• Experience with hardware requirement concepts

Desirable qualifications

• Knowledge of automotive safety standards and regulations (e.g., ISO 26262, ISO 16750)
• Experience with automotive electronics/ECU or compute hardware (thermal, power, connector reliability)
• Experience working with contract manufacturers or Tier-1 suppliers on quality/reliability issues (PPAP, supplier corrective actions)
• Prior experience mentoring engineers or driving reliability process adoption across teams
• Test automation and infrastructure knowledge

For roles based in Mountain View, CA: The salary range for this position is $181,000 - $262,000 per year.

For roles based in Pittsburgh, PA: The salary range for this position is $163,000 - $236,000 per year.

Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.