Material Testing Laboratory Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Must Have Technical/Functional Skills
We are seeking a versatile and proactive Hardware Reliability & Materials Lab Engineer / Technician to join our hardware engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for executing diverse environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical validation tests on high-tech hardware components and sub-assemblies. Beyond hands-on test execution, you will act as a core steward of laboratory operationsoverseeing equipment upkeep, coordinating vendor maintenance schedules, tracking lab procurement, and upholding strict laboratory safety standards.
• An equivalent combination of an Associates degree/technical certification and 3+ years of hands-on experience in an R&D or hardware reliability testing laboratory.
• Environmental & Mechanical Testing Proficiency: Demonstrated hands-on expertise operating environmental test chambers (thermal, humidity, salt fog/corrosion, UV/weathering) and mechanical testing instrumentation (tensile/compression load frames, vibration shakers, adhesion/peel testers).
• Analytical & Metrology Skills: Strong foundational knowledge of analytical metrology and materials characterization techniques (surface energy/contact angle measurements, chemical compatibility testing, optical inspection, and visual failure analysis).
• Lab Operations & Safety Acumen: Proven track record in laboratory operations coordination, equipment troubleshooting, asset tracking, vendor management, and strict adherence to laboratory EHS and chemical safety guidelines.
• Communication & Software Aptitude: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proficiency in data analysis spreadsheets, issue tracking software (e.g., Jira, bug trackers), and authoring clear technical documentation and SOPs.
Roles & Responsibilities
• Comprehensive Hardware & Materials Testing: Plan, set up, and execute environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical reliability tests (e.g., accelerated weathering, cyclic corrosion, temperature/humidity cycling, vibration/shock, and tensile/compression testing) on raw materials, coatings, adhesives, and electromechanical assemblies.
• Surface & Optical Characterization: Conduct precision physical and surface measurements (including contact angle metrology, roll-off angle characterization, peel strength adhesion, and coating degradation analysis) to validate component durability against engineering specifications.
• Laboratory Stewardship & Operations: Oversee general laboratory upkeep, maintain equipment calibration schedules, coordinate facility infrastructure upgrades, track lab purchases and purchase orders (POs), and maintain reliability testing tracking dashboards.
• Failure Analysis & Issue Tracking: Perform root-cause failure analysis on degraded or damaged parts post-testing, document empirical observations, file comprehensive bug reports, and track issues to resolution across cross-functional engineering teams.
• Test Method & SOP Advancement: Develop, refine, and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and assist in designing custom test fixtures to streamline laboratory workflows and expand gener al hardware verification capabilities
Day-to-Day Activities
• Test Profile Configuration & Execution: Prepare experimental samples, program multi-stage test profiles on environmental test chambers and mechanical test frames, monitor active test progress, and perform scheduled interim inspections.
• Data Processing & Reporting: Extract, post-process, and synthesize experimental test data; generate clear weekly status reports, maintain laboratory tracking metrics, and present technical findings during regular team operations syncs.
• Equipment Upkeep & Troubleshooting: Perform routine preventative maintenance on laboratory chambers and test fixtures, diagnose instrumentation faults, and interface with external equipment vendors and facility engineers for specialized repairs.
• Cross-Functional Handoffs & Planning: Collaborate closely with mechanical design, materials engineering, and component leads to align on incoming sample handoffs, test prioritization, and design verification test (DVP) schedules.
• Lab Organization & Safety Compliance: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory working environment, participate in regular Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) site walks, and ensure proper chemical handling and storage.
Salary Range: $70,000-$120,000 a year