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Failure Analysis Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

SkyWater is hiring a Failure Analysis Technician 2 who has exceptional attention to detail, ability to adapt to changing work priorities while maintaining an appropriate sense of urgency. The role of ...

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QC Technician

Maple Grove, MN · On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Communicate testing results to teams. * Assist engineers in failure analysis and CAPA activities, including assignment as a CAPA project member. * Support process and product qualification activities.

Reliability Engineer

Nashwauk, MN · On-site

$100K - $128.50K/yr

Analyze equipment performance, failure data, and maintenance history to identify trends and risks * Conduct root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and lead corrective action initiatives * Define and ...

Quality Technician II

Osseo, MN

$18.75 - $25.25/hr

... failure analysis. • Communicate testing results to teams. • Assist engineers in failure analysis and CAPA activities, including assignment as a CAPA project member. • Support process and ...

Reliability Principal Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$107K - $134.70K/yr

Lead advanced failure analysis and root-cause investigations, establish hypotheses, design targeted experiments/DOEs, and drive cross-functional corrective and preventive actions to closure.

Performs root cause failure analysis, creates failure analysis reports and provides recommendations on corrective actions for defect elimination on recurring problematic assets. * Performs other ...

Performs root cause failure analysis, creates failure analysis reports and provides recommendations on corrective actions for defect elimination on recurring problematic assets. * Performs other ...

Global Weld Engineer

Bloomington, MN · On-site

$86.20K - $111K/yr

Provide expert guidance in welding metallurgy, materials selection, heat input control, distortion management, and failure analysis. * Evaluate, introduce, and implement advanced welding technologies ...

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Failure Analysis information

See Minnesota salary details

$14

$27

$40

How much do failure analysis jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for failure analysis in Minnesota is $27.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.56 and $29.18 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 Minnesota? For Failure Analysis jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Failure Analysis job openings in Minnesota as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% Internship, and 89% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,911 per year, or $27.4 per hour.

Failure Analysis Technician

skywater

Minneapolis, MN

Other

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Primary Objective:

SkyWater is hiring a Failure Analysis Technician 2 who has exceptional attention to detail, ability to adapt to changing work priorities while maintaining an appropriate sense of urgency. The role of a Failure Analysis Technician is to perform physical failure analysis in support of process development, yield improvement, wafer fab excursions, and reliability.  The Failure Analysis Technician also operates laboratory electrical probe systems and coordinates outsourcing to external laboratories. 

Major areas of accountability:

  • Operate optical microscopes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and focused ion beams (FIB) following defined operating specifications
  • Follow detailed instructions with some guidance from senior technicians to ensure analysis requirements are fully met.
  • Cleave, polish and delayer samples following process specifications.
  • Operate laboratory electrical probe systems to provide electrical data to the reliability and process development teams.
  • Work collaboratively with all team members to complete analysis requests promptly.
  • Create and coordinate analysis requests that are sent to external laboratories.
  • Support the laboratory by collaboratively maintaining equipment and updating operating specifications.

Shift: 

  • E Shift (M-F, 8am-5pm) for approximately 6 months during training, then move to either B or D Shift. 
  • B Shift: Sunday through Tuesday in one week, and Sunday through Wednesday in the other week, from 6:00 pm – 6:15 am.  10% shift differential.
  • D Shift: Thursday through Saturday in one week, and Wednesday through Saturday in the other week, from 6:00 pm – 6:15 am.  25% shift differential.

Required Qualifications: 

  • 2 years of experience with Associates degree or 4 years of experience without a degree 
  • Minimum three years of experience operating highly complex laboratory, manufacturing or electrical test equipment. 
  • Ability to handle and manipulate small delicate samples using tweezers under a microscope or inside a chemical fume hood. 
  • U.S. Person Required: SkyWater Technology Foundry, Inc. subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All accepted applications must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.
  • Lifting (Up to 15lbs once per week), standing, walking, reaching, sitting, looking through optical microscopes, handling small samples. Requires excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Associate’s degree in a technical field (electronics, chemistry, physics, mathematics, materials science)
  • Experience working in a semiconductor wafer fabrication environment, analytical or research laboratory environment. Chemical handling experience.
  • Operating optical microscopes, scanning electron microscopes and/or focused ion beams. Setting up and executing automated electrical testing.