Vehicle Reliability, Intern

Nuro•Mountain View, CA

2d•$8,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Reliability team ensures that Nuro’s autonomous vehicle hardware performs safely and robustly across real-world operating conditions. We work across mechanical, electrical, and system-level domains to develop and execute reliability strategies for sensors, compute platforms, harnessing, enclosures, and vehicle-integrated hardware. Our team partners closely with design engineering, integration, test operations, manufacturing, and program teams to identify risks early, validate design durability, investigate failures, and improve product reliability throughout the development lifecycle. We combine hands-on test execution with data-driven analysis to help bring highly reliable autonomous vehicle systems to the road. This is an on-site role at Nuro HQ in Mountain View, CA, and at our San Jose vehicle modification facility. The intern will have the opportunity to work alongside the AV Hardware Engineering team and cross-functional departments. The intern will support reliability test planning, setup, execution, and documentation for AV hardware systems, including sensors, compute hardware, and vehicle-integrated components. They will also assist with CAD design of sensor integration components, test fixtures, fit-check parts, and related hardware using NX and Teamcenter. Support prototype development and fabrication of structural and appearance components, testing jigs, fixtures, and fit-check parts using 3D printers and in-house fabrication tools. Build, modify, and maintain hands-on test setups, prototype assemblies, and validation hardware used for development and reliability testing. Collect, organize, and analyze test data to support issue investigation, design improvements, and validation decisions. Support failure investigations by documenting test conditions, hardware observations, and failure results, and assist with structured root-cause analysis. Contribute to a self-directed research or design project aimed at advancing hardware reliability, testing methods, or validation workflows. Work closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, and operations teams to troubleshoot issues and improve hardware robustness.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated hands-on proficiency in the design, assembly, debugging, and testing of electrical or electromechanical systems through prior internships, research, or projects.
Familiarity with lab and prototyping environments, including the development of test setups, fixtures, and the use of electrical fabrication tools.
Competency with bench-level measurement equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, and DAQs.
Fundamental knowledge of electrical hardware integration, encompassing power distribution, signal integrity, connectors, and cable harnessing.
Understanding of reliability principles, including environmental stressors, component derating, and common failure modes in complex hardware.
Exposure to validation and reliability testing, such as thermal cycling, vibration, shock, and ingress protection (IP) verification.
Ability to document test methodologies, results, and technical observations in a clear, structured, and actionable manner.
Experience leveraging Python, MATLAB, or JMP for data analysis, automation, or test scripting.
Exceptional problem-solving abilities with strong communication skills and a high degree of technical ownership.

Nice To Haves

Prior internship or co-op experience in electrical, reliability, validation, or hardware engineering.
Hands-on experience with reliability testing, environmental validation, or the development of hardware test platforms.
Familiarity with core hardware reliability concepts, including failure analysis, root-cause investigation, accelerated life testing (ALT), and test-to-failure methodologies.
Knowledge of automotive electrical validation for sensors, ECUs, harnesses, and high-reliability connectors.
Exposure to industry standards such as LV 124, ISO 16750, or JEDEC reliability and validation protocols.
Proven ability to perform structured root-cause analysis and debug complex electrical or system-level hardware failures.
Familiarity with reliability modeling and statistical analysis tools, such as DOE, Weibull analysis, and life data analysis.
Experience evaluating test data to identify degradation trends, intermittent faults, or early-stage hardware reliability risks.
Practical skill in building custom test setups, including fixtures, breakout hardware, and cable harnesses.
Currently pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field.

Responsibilities

Support reliability test planning, setup, execution, and documentation for AV hardware systems, including sensors, compute hardware, and vehicle-integrated components.
Assist with CAD design of sensor integration components, test fixtures, fit-check parts, and related hardware using NX and Teamcenter.
Support prototype development and fabrication of structural and appearance components, testing jigs, fixtures, and fit-check parts using 3D printers and in-house fabrication tools.
Build, modify, and maintain hands-on test setups, prototype assemblies, and validation hardware used for development and reliability testing.
Collect, organize, and analyze test data to support issue investigation, design improvements, and validation decisions.
Support failure investigations by documenting test conditions, hardware observations, and failure results, and assist with structured root-cause analysis.
Contribute to a self-directed research or design project aimed at advancing hardware reliability, testing methods, or validation workflows.
Work closely with mechanical, electrical, systems, and operations teams to troubleshoot issues and improve hardware robustness.