Reliability Program Manager (Hardware)

Block

6h•$168,300 - $297,000

About The Position

As a Reliability Program Manager (REL PM) within Block Hardware, you will own the end-to-end strategy, planning, and execution of hardware reliability validation across our consumer electronics portfolio. You will serve as the single point of accountability for reliability test planning, execution, results synthesis, and cross-program learning, partnering closely with Hardware Engineering, Product Design, Quality, Operations, and Manufacturing. This role is highly technical and program-oriented, requiring a strong understanding of consumer electronics reliability methodologies and how lab-based testing translates to real-world customer use cases. You will bring structure, consistency, and deep focus to reliability work that today is distributed across multiple programs, enabling earlier risk identification, clearer decision-making, and higher overall product quality. The Reliability Program Manager operates as an independent, unbiased partner to individual product teams, ensuring that reliability risks are surfaced, prioritized, and resolved without being overshadowed by short-term schedule pressure.

Requirements

BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field; MS preferred
8+ years of industry experience in consumer electronics, hardware development, or manufacturing environments
5+ years of experience directly owning or managing hardware reliability programs, validation, or qualification
Strong hands-on knowledge of reliability testing methodologies (e.g., HALT, HASS, EVT/DVT/PVT REL testing, environmental, mechanical, and lifecycle testing)
Experience working with third-party REL labs and contract manufacturers
Ability to translate test results into meaningful product and customer impact
Strong program management skills with demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional efforts
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level synthesis
Comfort operating with high autonomy and accountability across multiple programs
Ability to travel internationally for builds, lab engagements, and manufacturing support as needed

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting products through mass production and field returns analysis
Familiarity with compliance, regulatory, or quality management systems
Background working in highly scaled consumer hardware organizations
Prior experience in an independent or centralized reliability function

Responsibilities

Own the hardware reliability (REL) strategy across Block Hardware products, from early development through production
Define, maintain, and continuously improve standardized REL test plans by product category and development phase
Plan and manage REL schedules across multiple concurrent hardware programs
Serve as the primary point of contact for: Third-party reliability laboratories Contract manufacturer (CM) reliability partners
Drive execution of reliability testing at labs and CMs, ensuring clear scope, timelines, and deliverables
Track, analyze, and synthesize REL results, highlighting trends, risks, and systemic issues
Partner with Hardware Engineering and Product Design to: Drive failure analysis (FA) Define mitigation and validation plans Ensure reliability issues are appropriately prioritized and closed
Identify common failure modes and mitigation strategies across programs and ensure learnings are reused
Clearly communicate reliability status, risks, and tradeoffs to engineering leadership and program stakeholders
Establish operating mechanisms and documentation that improve REL consistency, efficiency, and transparency
Act as a strong advocate for product quality and long-term reliability throughout the development lifecycle