ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Hardware Reliability Engineer Jobs in California

Superbeo

Hardware Reliability Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $137K/yr

Hardware Reliability Engineer Job location: San Diego, CA Job Duration: 3 Months, Contract to Hire Job Summary: * The Hardware Reliability Engineering team is seeking a highly motivated individual to ...

Ōura

Hardware Reliability Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $137K/yr

We are looking for a Hardware Reliability Engineer . In this role, you will be responsible for planning and executing hardware reliability tasks for Oura's wearable products, working closely with ...

Skip

Hardware Reliability Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $210K/yr

The Role As our Hardware Reliability Engineer, you will be the person who makes sure our products don't just work in the lab -- they work on real humans, in real conditions, for a long time. You will ...

Waymo

Hardware Reliability Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$144K - $177K/yr

Hardware Engineering is a diverse, innovative, and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the ...

Waymo

Hardware Reliability Engineer

Mountain View, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $152K/yr

Hardware Engineering is a diverse, innovative, and collaborative group of electrical, mechanical, reliability, software and vehicle engineers. We design, build, and perfect the products which are the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHardware Reliability Engineer JobsHardware Reliability Engineer Jobs in California

Hardware Reliability Engineer information

See California salary details

$10

$62

$90

How much do hardware reliability engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for hardware reliability engineer in California is $62.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.09 and $71.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Hardware Reliability Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hardware Reliability Engineer, you need a solid grounding in electronics, materials science, and failure analysis, typically supported by a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering. Familiarity with reliability modeling software, environmental stress testing tools, and standards like MIL-STD or IPC is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective cross-functional communication are valuable soft skills in this field. These capabilities are crucial for identifying potential hardware failures, ensuring product quality, and collaborating efficiently within multidisciplinary teams.

What do hardware reliability engineers do?

Hardware reliability engineers analyze and improve the durability and performance of electronic hardware components and systems. They perform failure analysis, develop testing procedures, and implement design improvements to ensure hardware functions reliably over its expected lifespan, often using tools like failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and reliability testing equipment.

What does a Hardware Reliability Engineer do?

A Hardware Reliability Engineer ensures that electronic and mechanical hardware systems are designed, tested, and manufactured to meet reliability and durability standards. They analyze failure data, conduct reliability testing, and collaborate with design teams to improve product lifespan and performance. Their work helps prevent failures in real-world applications, reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction.

How much do SREs typically get paid?

Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) typically earn between $90,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and company size. Senior SREs with specialized skills in automation, cloud platforms, and monitoring tools can earn higher salaries, especially in tech hubs or large organizations.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior hardware reliability engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in testing, failure analysis, and reliability modeling can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles often require specialized skills, leadership responsibilities, and work in industries like aerospace, semiconductor, or data centers.

What are some of the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a Hardware Reliability Engineer?

As a Hardware Reliability Engineer, your daily tasks often include designing and executing reliability tests, analyzing test data to identify failure trends, and collaborating with design and manufacturing teams to implement corrective actions. You may be responsible for preparing detailed reports on hardware performance, conducting root cause analyses, and developing reliability improvement plans. Interaction with suppliers or customers can also be part of your work, especially when addressing quality concerns or verifying compliance with reliability standards. This variety keeps the role dynamic and allows for continuous learning and professional growth.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced hardware reliability engineers working in senior roles at large technology companies or in specialized industries can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, often including bonuses and stock options. Such compensation typically requires advanced skills, certifications, and extensive industry experience.
What are the most commonly searched types of Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California? For Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Hardware Reliability Engineer job openings:
Hardware Reliability Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hardware Reliability Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,847 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Hardware Reliability Engineer

SPECTRAFORCE TECHNOLOGIES Inc.

Sunnyvale, CA

$121K - $153K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Hardware Reliability Engineer
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Duration: 6 months (possibility of extension/conversion)
Description
As a Hardware Reliability Engineer, you will engage with experienced cross-disciplinary staff and outside partners to drive key aspects of product definition, execution and test. You must be responsive, flexible and able to succeed within an open collaborative peer environment. You will be responsible for the test validation of our devices. You should have a good understanding of Reliability statistics/Reliability tests and/or solid understanding of electronic and electrical products to influence design for reliability to:

  • Identify and validate product/IC risks, including but not limited to electrical system, mechanical system, RF system, acoustic system, and work with design teams to mitigate them
  • Define test methodology and test coverage to assure IC/product reliability
  • Perform reliability prediction of failure mechanisms on products/ICs under development and products in the field
  • Demonstrated ability in identifying and validating semiconductor component risks working cross-functionally with various domains including ATE testing, Silicon validation, Design (Silicon/Package), and SW teams.
  • Experience with electrical stress testing, ESD testing, environmental stress testing, fatigue testing, vibration and shock testing

Basic Qualifications

  • 5+ years of working in mechanical engineering or equivalent experience
  • Strong understanding of Integrated circuit design, fabrication, functioning , and product integration.
  • Knowledge of semiconductor failure mechanisms, IC/package/board reliability, semiconductor standards such as JEDEC, Electrical bench and stress testing
  • Experience with Failure analysis techniques such as SEM, FIB, CSAM, surface analysis, thin film analytical tools, cross sectioning, x-ray, dye and pry.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master''''s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, material science, physics or equivalent, or PhD and 5+ years of industry or academic research experience
  • Demonstrated experience using thermal imaging systems (FLIR or equivalent) for IC hot spot detection, board-level thermal mapping, and root cause analysis of thermal-induced failures in semiconductor packages
  • 3+ years hands-on experience with digital optical microscopy (Keyence VHX series or equivalent) for microcrack detection, surface defect analysis, and package-level failure characterization at advanced technology nodes (7nm or below preferred)
  • Strong understanding of SoC package architectures, failure modes (die cracks, delamination, wire bond failures), and experience with both 1P and 3P IC failure analysis workflows
  • Proven ability to document FA findings with high-quality imaging, prepare technical reports, and collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, reliability, manufacturing) to drive corrective actions

Apply