Job Title: Reliability EngineerJob DescriptionAs a Reliability Engineer, you will take ownership of system-level reliability for highly complex, multi-disciplinary hardware systems. You will synthesize data from diverse subsystems, perform structured root cause analysis, and translate test and field results into reliability models that directly influence product design, serviceability, and uptime. This role offers the opportunity to work hands-on with advanced electro-optical and photonics-based hardware while collaborating closely with experts across optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, vacuum, cryogenic, and controls engineering.
Responsibilities
- Develop and own system-level reliability strategies and plans for highly complex hardware systems that integrate optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, vacuum, cryogenic, and controls technologies.
- Collect, interpret, and synthesize reliability and test data from multiple components and subsystems into comprehensive system-level reliability analyses and models.
- Analyze how individual component failure modes and reliability characteristics impact overall system reliability, serviceability, and uptime, and present clear conclusions to cross-functional teams.
- Perform structured root cause analysis of complex hardware issues, including failure-mode identification and failure analysis, to drive corrective and preventive actions.
- Plan, execute, or oversee reliability testing activities such as accelerated life testing, environmental stress testing, and other reliability evaluations.
- Interpret test, validation, and field-return data to identify trends, quantify risk, and recommend design or process improvements.
- Develop and refine reliability models, life predictions, and reliability statistics to support design decisions and product qualification.
- Collaborate closely with subject matter experts across multiple engineering disciplines to understand subsystem failure mechanisms and integrate their insights into system-level reliability assessments.
- Contribute to the development of test methods, fixtures, and validation approaches that effectively characterize reliability performance.
- Apply risk assessment methodologies, such as FMEA or similar tools, to identify, prioritize, and mitigate potential failure modes.
- Create clear, detailed technical documentation, including reliability plans, test reports, analysis summaries, and design-for-reliability recommendations.
- Communicate reliability findings and recommendations effectively to engineering, product, and leadership stakeholders, influencing design and architectural decisions.
- Support new product development and R&D efforts by embedding reliability considerations early in the design cycle.
- Mentor other engineers in reliability principles, best practices, and analytical methods, helping to elevate reliability capability across the organization.
- Establish and improve reliability engineering processes, standards, and workflows, with the goal of eventually helping to develop a small reliability team.
- Troubleshoot complex hardware in the lab and in the field as needed, ensuring that hands-on insights inform system-level reliability models and strategies.
Essential Skills
- Hands-on experience in reliability engineering, test, validation, or failure analysis, with the ability to understand and interpret experimental and field data.
- Proven system-level reliability experience, including synthesizing information from multiple components and subsystems into system-level reliability analysis or modeling.
- Demonstrated ability to determine how different failure modes and reliability characteristics of individual subsystems affect overall system reliability, serviceability, and uptime.
- Background supporting highly complex engineered products that integrate multiple technical disciplines, such as satellites or spacecraft, aircraft or aerospace systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, complex defense systems, electro-optical systems, scientific instrumentation, or advanced medical equipment.
- Strong foundation in hands-on reliability activities, including reliability testing, failure analysis, accelerated testing, test data analysis, failure-mode identification, and reliability modeling.
- Broad technical understanding across optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, vacuum, cryogenic, and controls domains sufficient to collaborate effectively with subject matter experts.
- Exposure to optical or photonics systems, with the ability to understand reliability challenges in optical subsystems within a broader system context.
- Ability to perform structured root cause analysis and systematically identify, verify, and resolve failure mechanisms in complex hardware.
- Strong skills in interpreting test and reliability data, including drawing meaningful conclusions and translating them into actionable design and process recommendations.
- Excellent technical documentation skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and comprehensive reliability reports and plans.
- Effective cross-functional communication skills, enabling collaboration with engineers, scientists, and stakeholders across multiple disciplines.
- Experience troubleshooting complex hardware systems, both in laboratory environments and in support of fielded equipment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with highly complex or precision hardware, particularly where tight tolerances and multi-physics interactions drive reliability behavior.
- Background in optical, electro-optical systems, scientific instrumentation, advanced medical devices, laser systems, or similarly sophisticated hardware environments.
- Experience with reliability statistics or life testing, including statistical analysis of time-to-failure data and life prediction techniques.
- Experience developing test methods, fixtures, and custom setups to evaluate reliability performance and failure mechanisms.
- Familiarity with FMEA or similar risk assessment and mitigation methodologies applied to complex systems.
- Experience working in R&D or new product development environments, where requirements, designs, and test strategies evolve rapidly.
- Demonstrated ability to own the technical direction of reliability efforts for a complex hardware system, from planning through execution and feedback into design.
- Experience mentoring other engineers, influencing subject matter experts, and establishing or improving reliability processes.
- Interest in or exposure to industries such as aerospace and defense, semiconductor equipment, optical and electro-optical systems, scientific instrumentation, advanced medical devices, or other complex system domains.
- Capability and desire to grow into a lead-level role, focusing on technical leadership, process ownership, and the potential development of a small reliability team over time.
Work EnvironmentYou will work in a hybrid environment based primarily in Broomfield, Colorado, with approximately 25% travel to other sites or partner locations. For exceptional candidates, alternative locations such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, or Minnesota may be considered, with relocation assistance available. The work centers on advanced, highly complex hardware systems that integrate optical, electro-optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, vacuum, cryogenic, and controls technologies, supporting cutting-edge quantum computing platforms. You will collaborate closely with a large community of scientists and engineers across multiple countries, contributing to innovative, game-changing projects where reliability has a direct and visible impact on product performance and engineering progress. The environment is hands-on and lab-oriented, with access to sophisticated test and measurement equipment for reliability testing, failure analysis, and system validation, alongside modern office and collaboration spaces for analysis, modeling, and design reviews. The organization offers a flexible work schedule and a comprehensive benefits package, including employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance, equity opportunities, a retirement savings plan with matching, support for student loan repayment, paid parental leave, generous vacation, sick time, and paid holidays, as well as various employee discounts. The culture emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning, providing opportunities to shape reliability practices and influence the direction of advanced hardware development. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Broomfield, CO. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $225000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.A competitive salary and innovative, game-changing work Flexible work schedule Employer subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) match for student loan repayment benefit Equity, 401k retirement savings plan + 12 Paid holidays and generous vacation + sick time Paid parental leave Employee discounts Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Broomfield, CO. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Broomfield,CO.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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