Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer (R5142)

Shield AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI is seeking a Hardware Reliability Engineer in Seattle to ensure the robustness and long-term performance of VBAT flight hardware. You will drive design-for-reliability, lead environmental testing, and perform failure analysis across concept to production, collaborating with design, manufacturing, and suppliers.

You will participate in design reviews and FMEA, shape material selection and manufacturing requirements, and use reliability modeling tools to predict system lifespan.

Qualifications

• Materials science and electronics manufacturing fundamentals.
• Experience with reliability concepts and environmental test practices.
• Bachelor or Master-level degrees in relevant fields; advanced degrees preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement design-for-reliability practices and rigorous testing.
• Lead environmental and stress testing (temperature cycling, vibration, HALT, HASS).
• Perform failure analysis and material characterization; drive root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and suppliers; participate in design reviews & FMEA.

Skills

Self-starter mindset

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Team player

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Project management experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Materials Engineering

Master's in Materials Engineering or Mechanical/Reliability Engineering

Tools

Python

NumPy

Pandas

SciPy

Plotly

Matplotlib

Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BATaircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

Job Description:

As a Hardware Reliability Engineer at Shield AI, you will be responsible for ensuring the robustness and long-term performance of our VBAT flight hardware. You’ll work closely with design, manufacturing, and supplier chain to implement design-for-reliability best practices and perform reliability verification from concept through production.

You will lead environmental and stress testing efforts, including temperature cycling, vibration, HALT, and HASS, conduct failure analysis and materials characterization, and analyze root cause investigations for manufacturing non-conformances and field returns. You’ll participate in design reviews and FMEA activities, shape material selection and manufacturing requirements, analyze test and field data using reliability modeling tools, and help develop corrective actions and process improvements that elevate hardware reliability across the program.

What you'll do:

• You willbe responsible fordeveloping and implementing design-for-reliability best practices, conducting rigorous testing,shaping manufacturing requirements, selecting materials,and analyzingfield datato enhance the robustness ofVBAThardware.
• Perform stress screening, environmental testing, and drive failure analysis to ensureflighthardware meets reliability and performance targets.
• Analyze designs and test results toidentifypotential failure modes and mitigations.
• Collaborate with design engineers to implement design for reliability best practicesearly in design.
• Act as a key stakeholder in reviewing and approving designs for release.
• Participate in design reviews and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) to assess potential reliability issues.
• Investigate manufacturing non-conformances and field hardware failures todetermineroot cause.
• Travelasneeded to perform deep dives into supplier processes.
• Develop and recommend corrective actions to address identified reliability issues.
• Utilize reliability modeling and simulation tools to predictsystemperformance and lifespan.
• Stay current with industry trends, advancements, and best practices in hardware reliability engineering.
• Propose and implement process improvements to drive improvements in reliability across the program.

Required qualifications:

• Technicalbackground inmaterials science,electronics manufacturing processes(PCB fabrication and assembly), hardware reliability concepts, andenvironmentaltest practices.
• Candidate must be self-starting and come with a growth mindset, with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineeringpreferred.Degrees in MechanicalORReliability Engineeringalso are acceptable.
• Familiarity with electronics (PCBs, PCBAs, electronic components) and moving mechanical assemblies.
• Team-playerwith clear and concise written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production.
• Experience with the project management of technical projects.
• Proficiencyin Python, including NumPy, Pandas, SciPy,Plotly, and Matplotlib.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including IPC, JEDEC, AIAA, AEC, MIL, and SMC standards.
• Ability to obtain a S//SAR level security clearance desired.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in Materials Engineeringpreferred. Degrees in Mechanical ORReliability Engineeringalso are acceptable.
• 3+ years of experience in hardware reliability engineering, preferably with a focus onaerospace or automotiveapplications.
• Proficiencyin failure analysis techniques and materials characterization methods
• Experience with environmental testing, including temperature cycling, vibration, highly accelerated limit testing (HALT), andhighly-acceleratedstress screening (HASS).
• Familiarity with PCB fabrication, SMT, and polymerics application manufacturing processes
• Significant knowledge of reliability engineering principles, methods, and tools

$140,000 - $210,000 a year

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.