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Failure Analysis Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Shield AI

Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$111.40K - $140.10K/yr

Analyze designs and test results to identify potential failure modes and mitigations. * Collaborate with design engineers to implement design for reliability best practices early in design. * Act as ...

Shield AI

Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$158.54K - $237.81K/yr

Analyze designs and test results to identify potential failure modes and mitigations. * Collaborate with design engineers to implement design for reliability best practices early in design. * Act as ...

Shield AI

Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$158.54K - $237.81K/yr

Analyze designs and test results to identify potential failure modes and mitigations. * Collaborate with design engineers to implement design for reliability best practices early in design. * Act as ...

Procter & Gamble

SNO - PM Leader - Tech 3

Andover, MA · On-site

Follows site standards for in-depth failure analysis. * Establish the team necessary to complete failure analysis when required. Effectively compare failed part against new part to identify all ...

Axcelis

Reliability Engineering Intern

Beverly, MA · On-site

$20.42 - $30.62/hr

Aiding failure analysis and determination of root causes for Axcelis products, disassembling electromechanical assemblies for inspection and analysis, and documenting findings and corrective actions ...

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How much do failure analysis jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for failure analysis in Massachusetts is $30.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.25 and $32.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Failure Analysis Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Failure Analysis Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, engineering, or physics, with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. Familiarity with laboratory tools such as scanning electron microscopes (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and relevant software for data analysis is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for documenting findings and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These competencies ensure accurate root-cause identification and effective solutions, which are vital for improving product reliability and reducing costly defects.

What are some common challenges faced in a Failure Analysis role and how are they addressed?

Professionals in Failure Analysis often encounter challenges such as isolating the root cause of complex failures, working with incomplete data, and meeting tight deadlines for critical product investigations. These challenges are typically addressed through a systematic approach—using advanced analytical tools, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams like engineering and quality assurance, and maintaining clear documentation. Continuous learning and staying updated with the latest testing methodologies also help in effectively overcoming obstacles in this dynamic field.

What is failure analysis?

Failure analysis is the process of investigating why a component, system, or material has failed in service or during testing. The goal is to determine the root cause of the failure, which can involve examining physical evidence, collecting data, and performing laboratory tests such as microscopy or chemical analysis. This information helps organizations prevent future failures, improve product design, and ensure safety and reliability. Failure analysis is commonly used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and manufacturing.

What is the difference between Failure Analysis vs Materials Engineer?

AspectFailure AnalysisMaterials Engineer
Primary FocusInvestigating and diagnosing product failures to determine root causesDesigning, developing, and testing materials for product performance
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, failure investigation sitesResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departments
CertificationsOften requires certifications like ASQ Certified Failure AnalystTypically requires materials science degrees, possibly professional engineering licenses

Failure Analysis specialists focus on diagnosing why products fail, often working in labs or manufacturing settings. Materials Engineers design and develop materials to improve product performance. While both roles require technical knowledge of materials, Failure Analysis emphasizes troubleshooting and root cause analysis, whereas Materials Engineering centers on material development and testing.

What are popular job titles related to Failure Analysis jobs in Massachusetts? For Failure Analysis jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Failure Analysis jobs in Massachusetts look for? The top searched job categories for Failure Analysis jobs in Massachusetts are:
Failure Analysis jobs near you
Infographic showing various Failure Analysis job openings in Massachusetts as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 41% Full Time, 45% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 11% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,460 per year, or $30.5 per hour.
Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

Shield AI

Boston, MA • On-site

$111.40K - $140.10K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Job Description:
As a Hardware Reliability Engineer at Shield AI, you will be responsible for ensuring the robustness and long-term performance of our VBAT flight hardware. You’ll work closely with design, manufacturing, and supplier chain to implement design-for-reliability best practices and perform reliability verification from concept through production.
 
You will lead environmental and stress testing efforts, including temperature cycling, vibration, HALT, and HASS, conduct failure analysis and materials characterization, and analyze root cause investigations for manufacturing non-conformances and field returns. You’ll participate in design reviews and FMEA activities, shape material selection and manufacturing requirements, analyze test and field data using reliability modeling tools, and help develop corrective actions and process improvements that elevate hardware reliability across the program. 
What you'll do:
  • You will be responsible for developing and implementing design-for-reliability best practices, conducting rigorous testing, shaping manufacturing requirements, selecting materials, and analyzing field data to enhance the robustness of VBAT hardware. 
  • Perform stress screening, environmental testing, and drive failure analysis to ensure flight hardware meets reliability and performance targets. 
  • Analyze designs and test results to identify potential failure modes and mitigations. 
  • Collaborate with design engineers to implement design for reliability best practices early in design. 
  • Act as a key stakeholder in reviewing and approving designs for release. 
  • Participate in design reviews and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA) to assess potential reliability issues. 
  • Investigate manufacturing non-conformances and field hardware failures to determine root cause. 
  • Travel as needed to perform deep dives into supplier processes. 
  • Develop and recommend corrective actions to address identified reliability issues. 
  • Utilize reliability modeling and simulation tools to predict system performance and lifespan. 
  • Stay current with industry trends, advancements, and best practices in hardware reliability engineering. 
  • Propose and implement process improvements to drive improvements in reliability across the program. 
Required qualifications:
  • Technical background in materials science, electronics manufacturing processes (PCB fabrication and assembly), hardware reliability concepts, and environmental test practices. 
  • Candidate must be self-starting and come with a growth mindset, with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail. 
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering preferred. Degrees in Mechanical OR Reliability Engineering also are acceptable.  
  • Familiarity with electronics (PCBs, PCBAs, electronic components) and moving mechanical assemblies. 
  • Team-player with clear and concise written and oral communication skills. 
  • Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production. 
  • Experience with the project management of technical projects. 
  • Proficiency in Python, including NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Plotly, and Matplotlib. 
  • Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including IPC, JEDEC, AIAA, AEC, MIL, and SMC standards. 
Preferred qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Materials Engineering preferred. Degrees in Mechanical OR Reliability Engineering also are acceptable.  
  • 3+ years of experience in hardware reliability engineering, preferably with a focus on aerospace or automotive applications. 
  • Proficiency in failure analysis techniques and materials characterization methods 
  • Experience with environmental testing, including temperature cycling, vibration, highly accelerated limit testing (HALT), and highly-accelerated stress screening (HASS). 
  • Familiarity with PCB fabrication, SMT, and polymerics application manufacturing processes 
  • Significant knowledge of reliability engineering principles, methods, and tools 
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Full-time regular employee offer package:
Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:
Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.