Engineering Lead Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Reliability Engineering Lead

Company Overview

Company is developing a next-generation AI wearable that combines ultra-high-density neural sensing with a Brain Foundation Model to decode neural signals and convert thought into text without surgery. The company is focused on advancing noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, enabling real-time interaction between the human brain and AI. Their goal is to create a direct connection between mind and machine through an EEG-powered wearable platform designed for communication, productivity, and human augmentation.

Position Summary

Serve as the founding Reliability Engineering hire, owning the reliability, qualification, certification, and field quality strategy for a next-generation AI wearable platform.

Lead the end-to-end reliability program, ensuring the product withstands real-world use, including long wear, charging, transportation, environmental exposure, and daily consumer handling.

Partner closely with Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Audio, Camera, Product Design, and Manufacturing teams while working with external contract manufacturers, test labs, and certification bodies.

Report to the Head of Hardware and collaborate regularly with the CEO and CTO.

Own product qualification through launch and build the company''s reliability engineering function as the organization scales.

Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end reliability strategy, including qualification planning, accelerated life testing, certification, and field quality across all hardware subsystems.
• Drive Design for Reliability (DfR) throughout the development process by leading FMEA reviews, participating in design reviews, and embedding reliability practices early in product development.
• Define and execute qualification testing, including:
• Environmental testing
• Mechanical testing
• Wireless validation
• Battery qualification
• Biocompatibility testing for skin-contact components
• Develop internal and external test capabilities, including test fixtures, sample plans, pass/fail criteria, and qualification processes.
• Lead regulatory certification efforts, including:
• FCC
• CE/RED
• IC
• RoHS
• REACH
• Battery and body-worn device certifications
• Partner with:
• Electrical Engineering on EMC and ESD validation
• Audio and Camera teams on component reliability
• Product Design on drop, ingress protection, thermal performance, and durability
• Firmware on diagnostics, field telemetry, and reliability monitoring
• Lead the product through qualification gates and support launch by year-end.
• Own post-launch field quality, including AFR/MTBF targets, returns analysis, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions.
• Build and lead the company''s Reliability Engineering organization as the product and team grow.

Requirements:

• 10+ years of reliability engineering experience supporting consumer hardware products.
• Experience owning reliability from concept through field deployment for at least one shipped consumer product.
• Deep knowledge of consumer electronics qualification standards, including:
• IEC 60068
• IEC 61000
• JEDEC
• IPC
• Experience with regulatory certifications, including:
• FCC Part 15
• CE/RED
• IC RSS
• Battery and body-worn device certification requirements
• Experience designing accelerated life tests and applying statistical reliability methods, including Weibull analysis, acceleration models, and sample-size planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading Design for Reliability initiatives, including FMEA facilitation and cross-functional design reviews.
• Experience working closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Firmware Engineering teams throughout product development.
• Experience managing external reliability labs, certification partners, and contract manufacturers.
• Strong project ownership with the ability to lead reliability efforts across multiple engineering disciplines.

Desired Skillsets:

• Consumer wearables, hearables, mobile devices, or other body-worn electronics.
• Battery reliability, including:
• UN38.3
• Cycle life testing
• Swelling analysis
• Thermal abuse testing
• Charging system safety
• Biocompatibility and skin-contact testing (ISO 10993).
• HALT/HASS test development and execution.
• Experience with field telemetry and post-launch quality analytics.
• Experience building reliability organizations within early-stage or rapidly growing hardware companies.
• Ability to establish reliability processes, infrastructure, and best practices from the ground up.

Location: Palo Alto, CA (Hybrid Schedule, 2 days/week in office)

Type: Full-time

Pay Rate Range: $300K–$400K base + Bonus + Equity

No 3rd party agencies or no C2C

Abel Lara | OSIJOBS