Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Aurora•Mountain View, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Aurora is seeking a Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer to join its Hardware Reliability team and ensure the robustness of the Aurora Driver. The role leads reliability efforts for next-generation hardware systems and supports bringing a robust, scaled product to market in collaboration with partners including Volvo, PACCAR, and Aumovio (formerly Continental). The engineer will assess internal and external hardware designs, lead complex failure analysis and corrective actions, facilitate proactive risk mitigation, and develop predictive reliability models for modules operating across different climates and road conditions. The role works cross-functionally with Hardware Design, Systems Engineering, Hardware Safety, Field Operations, Embedded Software, and contract manufacturers to incorporate reliability findings into design and manufacturing processes.

Requirements

Extensive experience developing and validating hardware products, such as compute systems, automotive sensors, and systems involving thermal management or sensor cleaning.
Expertise in root cause analysis that informs design improvements.
Deep understanding of physics of failure for electronic, mechanical, and optoelectronic components in hardware systems.
Ability to design and execute reliability test flows, including shock, vibration, and thermal testing, suitable for contract manufacturing environments.
Proficiency in analyzing hardware performance data to generate actionable insights.
Direct experience improving reliability of mass-produced optomechanical assemblies and managing feedback loops with external vendors.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience leading research and development at automotive companies.
Familiarity with AEC-Q, ISO-16750, and other relevant automotive reliability standards.
Experience evaluating reliability of manufacturing and assembly processes as a product moves toward large-scale production.
Working knowledge of hardware-firmware interactions critical to hardware performance.
Conceptual understanding of material science, PCBA BGA structural integrity, and the effects of conformal coating on humidity exposure.

Responsibilities

Conduct reliability evaluations and design test campaigns for internal and external hardware designs to ensure they meet automotive standards.
Own complex reliability failure analysis and drive corrective actions, including near-term contaminant controls and longer-term design or process mitigations.
Lead Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) sessions and implement corrective action plans based on prior experience and testing.
Develop predictive models for failure rates of single and integrated modules across diverse climates and road conditions.
Collaborate with Hardware Design, Systems Engineering, Hardware Safety, Field Operations, Embedded Software, and contract manufacturers to integrate reliability findings into design and manufacturing processes.
Analyze hardware performance data and generate actionable insights.
Improve reliability of mass-produced optomechanical assemblies and manage feedback loops with external vendors.