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Failure Analysis Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Western Digital

Principal Failure Analysis Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$110K - $147K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As Principal FA Lead, you will be managing Failure Analysis activities spanning across multiple ... engineers, quality managers, manufacturing, or development teams. You will have multiple ...

Penguin Solutions

Sr. Failure Analysis Engineer

Newark, CA

$117K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Failure Analysis Engineer At Penguin Solutions (Nasdaq: PENG) - The AI Factory Platform Company - we're building a team of innovators who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and the ...

Penguin Solutions

Sr. Failure Analysis Engineer

Newark, CA · On-site

$117K - $161K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Senior Failure Analysis Engineer At Penguin Solutions (Nasdaq: PENG) - The AI Factory Platform Company - we're building a team of innovators who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and the ...

Nvidia

Senior Failure Analysis Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

NVIDIA is seeking a software-focused Senior Failure Analysis Engineer who can blend deep development with production support ownership. This hybrid role sits at the intersection of software ...

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All JobsFailure Analysis Engineer JobsFailure Analysis Engineer Jobs in California

Failure Analysis Engineer information

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$44.9K

$92K

$133.7K

How much do failure analysis engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for failure analysis engineer in California is $91,959.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a failure analysis engineer make?

Failure analysis engineers typically earn a median annual salary between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in industries like aerospace, electronics, or manufacturing.

What is the difference between Failure Analysis Engineer vs Materials Engineer?

AspectFailure Analysis EngineerMaterials Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like ASQ CQE or FAIBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science or Engineering, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, quality assurance settingsResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, product development
Industry UsageAutomotive, electronics, aerospace, manufacturingMaterials development, testing, quality control across industries

Failure Analysis Engineers focus on diagnosing product failures to improve quality, often working in labs and manufacturing settings. Materials Engineers develop and test materials used in products, ensuring durability and performance. While both roles require similar credentials and work environments, Failure Analysis Engineers specialize in failure diagnostics, whereas Materials Engineers focus on material development and testing.

What does a failure analysis engineer do?

Failure analysis engineers check and identify problems associated with business processes. These errors primarily take place in electrical systems. Failure analysis engineers determine the cause of equipment failure and decide on an action plan to avoid similar issues in the future. Daily responsibilities include conducting tests on electrical systems to determine usability and life cycle, performing preventative maintenance, and conducting emergency maintenance on electrical components. Qualifications typically include a master’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, but most employers also provide on-the-job training.

What are some common challenges faced by failure analysis engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Failure Analysis Engineers often encounter challenges such as limited access to failed components, incomplete failure histories, and tight deadlines for root cause identification. Overcoming these challenges requires strong attention to detail, effective communication with cross-functional teams, and creative problem-solving skills. Building a robust process for data collection and collaborating closely with manufacturing, design, and quality teams can help ensure thorough investigations and more accurate recommendations for corrective actions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a failure analysis engineer?

To thrive as a Failure Analysis Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, electrical or mechanical engineering, and experience with analytical and diagnostic techniques, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with laboratory tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), X-ray analysis systems, and failure analysis software is common, and certifications like Six Sigma can be beneficial. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for clearly documenting findings and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are essential to accurately identify root causes of failures, drive product improvements, and minimize costly defects in manufacturing processes.

What does a failure analysis engineer do?

A Failure Analysis Engineer investigates the causes of failures in products, components, or systems to determine why they did not perform as expected. They use various analytical techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and stress testing to identify defects or issues. Their work helps manufacturers improve product reliability, prevent future failures, and enhance overall quality. These engineers often collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to implement corrective actions based on their findings.
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Failure Analysis Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Failure Analysis Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,959 per year, or $44.2 per hour.

Failure Analysis Engineer

Reveille Technologies

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Hi,
Product Quality Engineer - RMA Failure Analysis - (Hardware)
Santa Clara, CA- 100% Onsite

Need at least 4 Years to up to 25 Years of experience on Hardware design/Testing/System design/Testing Mainly on server product
Perform system and board level testing and debugging down to component level Must have
Server knowledge is highly desirable (BIOS / BMC / CPLD / FPGA, etc.) Design/Testing/Debugging Must have
Read and interpret schematics/block diagrams with detailed understanding of server and subassembly functionality Must have
Visual mechanical inspection of Server/GPU board components (Motherboards, GPU, GPU baseboard, CPU, DIMM, NIC, SSD, Power Supply, etc.) and/or electronic components Must have
Complete component level troubleshooting (capacitors, resistors, fuse, IC, diode, etc.) and failure analysis Must have
Knowledge to do component swapping, removal to isolate failures and perform deeper FA Must have
Knowledge of basic Linux environment and commands Good to have

Thanks & Regards,

Preethi S

Reveille Technologies Inc.,

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