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Failure Analysis Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Working closely with failure analysis engineers and cross-functional partners, the team investigates customer-reported issues, identifies root causes, and continuously improves failure analysis ...

Failure Analysis Engineer

Maynard, MA · On-site

$79K - $100K/yr

Working closely with failure analysis engineers and cross-functional partners, the team investigates customer-reported issues, identifies root causes, and continuously improves failure analysis ...

Failure Analysis RMA Manager

Andover, MA · On-site

$111K - $135K/yr

As an engineering-focused company, we provide a hands-on opportunity to further innovate and ... Become well versed on Vicor products in order to guide a team of Engineers in failure analysis of ...

Failure Analysis RMA Manager

Andover, MA · On-site

$111K - $135K/yr

As an engineering-focused company, we provide a hands-on opportunity to further innovate and ... Become well versed on Vicor products in order to guide a team of Engineers in failure analysis of ...

In this senior level MEMS Design & Analysis Engineering role, you'll provide innovative solutions ... Analyzes and addresses issues such as reliability, yield improvement, and/or failure. Develops ...

In this senior level MEMS Design & Analysis Engineering role, you'll provide innovative solutions ... failure. • Develops production methods and fabrication processes for MEMS. • Drafts ...

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Failure Analysis Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$49.4K

$101.2K

$147.2K

How much do failure analysis engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for failure analysis engineer in Boston, MA is $101,225.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $128,200.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Failure Analysis Engineer jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Failure Analysis Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
What are popular job titles related to Failure Analysis Engineer jobs in Boston, MA? For Failure Analysis Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Failure Analysis Engineer jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Failure Analysis Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Failure Analysis Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,230 per year, or $48.7 per hour.

Failure Analysis Engineer

Cisco

Maynard, MA

$79K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Cisco Systems rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

The application window is expected to close on: 08/10/2026

Job posting may be removed earlier if the position is filled or if a sufficient number of applications are received.

Meet the Team

Join a team dedicated to performing failure analysis and debug of transceiver and optical engine multi-chip modules. Working closely with failure analysis engineers and cross-functional partners, the team investigates customer-reported issues, identifies root causes, and continuously improves failure analysis methods, processes, and reporting. The team's focus is on increasing the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of failure analysis while delivering a high-quality customer experience.

Your Impact

As a Failure Analysis Engineer, you will perform hands-on debug and failure analysis of transceiver products and optical engine components to identify root causes and drive corrective actions. You will replicate customer-reported failures, document technical findings, and contribute to customer-facing reports. By collaborating across teams and using data to improve failure analysis processes, you will help increase operational efficiency, reduce future failures, and enhance the quality and timeliness of customer support.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Completion within the past 3 years, or current enrollment with expected completion within 12 months, of a certification or relevant degree program (e.g., Associates, Apprenticeship, Boot Camp, or Certification in a specialized program + 1 year of relevant experience, High School Diploma + 2 years of relevant experience) or Bachelors + 0 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience in failure analysis or sustaining engineering for high bit rate coherent optical transceivers, line cards, and/or terminal equipment.
  • Experience performing hands-on debug and failure analysis using electronic and optical test equipment.
  • Understanding of coherent transceiver products, electronic and RF circuits, optical/RF components, and optical transmission test methodologies.
  • Experience documenting technical findings and performing data analysis to determine root cause.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced environment while taking ownership of technical issues.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with the application of coherent transceivers in optical networks.
  • Strong failure analysis techniques at the subsystem, component, and device levels.
  • Experience using oscilloscopes, pattern generators/error detectors, and electrical and optical spectrum analyzers.
  • Experience using data and metrics to improve failure analysis efficiency and reporting quality.
  • Strong documentation and technical reporting skills.
Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Message to applicants applying to work in the U.S. and/or Canada:The starting salary range posted for this position is $79,200.00 to $100,400.00 and reflects the projected salary range for new hires in this position in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including incentive compensation*, equity, or benefits.

Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location, market conditions, job-related skillset, experience, qualifications, education, certifications, and/or training. The full salary range for certain locations is listed below. For locations not listed below, the recruiter can share more details about compensation for the role in your location during the hiring process.

U.S. employees are offered benefits, subject to Cisco's plan eligibility rules, which include medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability coverage, and basic life insurance. Please see the Cisco careers site to discover more benefits and perks. Employees may be eligible to receive grants of Cisco restricted stock units, which vest following continued employment with Cisco for defined periods of time.

U.S. employees are eligible for paid time away as described below, subject to Cisco's policies:

  • 10 paid holidays per full calendar year, plus 1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees

  • 1 paid day off for employee's birthday, paid year-end holiday shutdown, and 4 paid days off for personal wellness determined by Cisco

  • Non-exempt employees** receive 16 days of paid vacation time per full calendar year, accrued at rate of 4.92 hours per pay period for full-time employees

  • Exempt employees participate in Cisco's flexible vacation time off program, which has no defined limit on how much vacation time eligible employees may use (subject to availability and some business limitations)

  • 80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter, and up to 80 hours ofunused sick timecarried forwardfrom one calendar yearto the next

  • Additional paid time away may be requested to deal with critical or emergency issues for family members

  • Optional 10 paid days per full calendar year to volunteer

For non-sales roles, employees are also eligible to earn annual bonuses subject to Cisco's policies.

Employees on sales plans earn performance-based incentive pay on top of their base salary, which is split between quota and non-quota components, subject to the applicable Cisco plan. For quota-based incentive pay, Cisco typically pays as follows:

  • .75% of incentive target for each 1% of revenue attainment up to 50% of quota;

  • 1.5% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 50% and 75%;

  • 1% of incentive target for each 1% of attainment between 75% and 100%; and

  • Once performance exceeds 100% attainment, incentive rates are at or above 1% for each 1% of attainment with no cap on incentive compensation.

For non-quota-based sales performance elements such as strategic sales objectives, Cisco may pay 0% up to 125% of target. Cisco sales plans do not have a minimum threshold of performance for sales incentive compensation to be paid.

The applicable full salary ranges for this position, by specific state, are listed below:

New York City Metro Area:

$88,900.00 - $129,700.00

Non-Metro New York state & Washington state:

$79,200.00 - $115,400.00

* For quota-based sales roles on Cisco's sales plan, the ranges provided in this posting include base pay and sales target incentive compensation combined.

** Employees in Illinois, whether exempt or non-exempt, will participate in a unique time off program to meet local requirements.


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About Cisco Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cisco Systems, a global tech titan based in San Jose, CA, US, operates in the information technology and services industry. Founded in 1984, the company was derived from a project between two computer scientists from Stanford University. They aimed to connect different networks of computer systems at the university, resulting in the first multi-protocol router, and subsequently, the birth of Cisco. As an industry-leading manufacturer of networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, Cisco's product and services range includes routers, switches, firewall devices, and telecommunication technology. The company's mission, "to shape the future of the Internet by creating unprecedented value and opportunity for our customers, employees, investors, and ecosystem partners," is a testament to its pursuit of technology-forward innovation and customer satisfaction.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Jose, CA, US

Year founded

1984

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