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Reliability Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Nextpower

Sr. Director, Reliability

Fremont, CA · On-site

Nextpower is seeking a Sr. Director of Reliability to define and lead the company's global reliability strategy across all products and lifecycle phases. This senior leadership role will ensure that ...

Peak Energy

Staff Reliability Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$120.80K - $152K/yr

Staff Reliability Engineer Location: Burlingame, CA Department: ESS Engineering Reports To: Staff Reliability Engineer Position Type: Full-time About Peak Energy Peak Energy is the first American ...

Semtech

Reliability Engineering Manager

Alhambra, CA

We are seeking a handson Reliability Engineering leader to establish, own, and execute reliability engineering for an InPbased IIIV photonic semiconductor manufacturing operation producing optical ...

Phizenix

Package Reliability Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$120.40K - $151.50K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Package Reliability Engineer with expertise in 2.5D/3D advanced packaging. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in physics of failure, materials science ...

Semtech

Reliability Engineering Manager

Alhambra, CA · On-site

We are seeking a hands-on Reliability Engineering leader to establish, own, and execute reliability engineering for an InP-based III-V photonic semiconductor manufacturing operation producing optical ...

Peak Energy

Staff Reliability Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$115.70K - $145.70K/yr

Staff Reliability Engineer Location: Burlingame, CA Department: ESS Engineering Reports To: Staff Reliability Engineer Position Type: Full-time About Peak Energy Peak Energy is the first American ...

Teledyne FLIR LLC

Reliability Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$96.60K - $128.80K/yr

Responsible for Quality & Reliability Engineering activities supporting the manufacture of Teledyne FLIR Cooled and Uncooled Camera Systems. Primary Duties & Responsibilities: * Contributes to ...

Peak Energy

Staff Reliability Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$115.70K - $145.70K/yr

Staff Reliability Engineer Location: Burlingame, CA Department: ESS Engineering Reports To: Staff Reliability Engineer Position Type: Full-time About Peak Energy Peak Energy is the first American ...

Teledyne

Reliability Engineer

Goleta, CA

$96.60K - $128.80K/yr

Responsible for Quality & Reliability Engineering activities supporting the manufacture of Teledyne FLIR Cooled and Uncooled Camera Systems. Primary Duties & Responsibilities: * Contributes to ...

Coherent Corp.

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$121.50K - $152.90K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for reliability, qualification testing, and ensuring the long-term reliability of leading-edge optoelectronic ...

Coherent

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$121.50K - $152.90K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for reliability, qualification testing, and ensuring the long-term reliability of leading-edge optoelectronic ...

II-VI Incorporated

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$121.50K - $152.90K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for reliability, qualification testing, and ensuring the long-term reliability of leading-edge optoelectronic ...

Coherent Corp.

Lead Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$121.50K - $152.90K/yr

The Senior Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on lifetime modelling, qualification testing, and ensuring the long-term reliability of leading-edge optoelectronic and ...

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Reliability information

See California salary details

$61.2K

$115.9K

$166.3K

How much do reliability jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for reliability in California is $115,949.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,300.00 and $138,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Reliability Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, data analysis, and failure mode analysis, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like FMEA, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), reliability modeling software, and relevant certifications such as Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help Reliability Engineers collaborate and proactively address system weaknesses. These skills are essential for minimizing downtime, optimizing maintenance strategies, and ensuring long-term operational efficiency.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Reliability Engineering roles, and how can they be addressed?

Reliability Engineers often face the challenge of balancing immediate production demands with long-term equipment health and system improvements. They must analyze complex failure data, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive changes that may require operational adjustments. To address these challenges, it's important to develop strong communication skills, stay current with reliability methodologies (like FMEA and RCA), and foster a culture of proactive maintenance. Building relationships with operations and maintenance teams also helps ensure that reliability recommendations are adopted and sustained.

What does a Reliability Engineer do?

A Reliability Engineer focuses on ensuring that systems, equipment, and processes operate dependably and efficiently over time. Their main responsibilities include analyzing failure data, identifying potential risks, and developing strategies to minimize downtime and maintenance costs. They work closely with design, maintenance, and production teams to improve product quality, safety, and reliability. By implementing reliability testing and preventive maintenance plans, they help organizations achieve higher performance and customer satisfaction.

What is the difference between Reliability vs Maintenance Technician?

AspectReliabilityMaintenance Technician
Required credentialsCertifications in reliability engineering, asset management, or predictive maintenanceTechnical diploma or certification in maintenance, HVAC, or mechanical systems
Work environmentFocus on analyzing data, improving systems, and preventing failures in industrial or manufacturing settingsHands-on repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance of equipment and machinery
Employer and industry usageUsed in manufacturing, energy, and industrial sectors to optimize equipment performanceCommonly employed in factories, plants, and facilities for equipment upkeep

Reliability professionals focus on analyzing data and implementing strategies to prevent equipment failures, while maintenance technicians perform hands-on repairs and routine maintenance. Both roles are essential for operational efficiency but differ in their focus and approach.

What are the most commonly searched types of Reliability jobs in California? The most popular types of Reliability jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Reliability jobs in California? For Reliability jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Reliability jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Reliability jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Reliability jobs? Cities in California with the most Reliability job openings:
Reliability jobs near you

Sr. Director, Reliability

Nextpower

Fremont, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Job Description:
Nextpower is seeking a Sr. Director of Reliability to define and lead the company's global reliability strategy across all products and lifecycle phases. This senior leadership role will ensure that product performance, durability, and risk are fully understood, quantified, and actively managed in alignment with business objectives.
This role serves as the enterprise authority on product reliability risk, enabling decisive action under uncertainty while balancing innovation velocity, product performance, financial exposure, and brand integrity. The Sr. Director will play a critical role in positioning reliability not only as a risk management function, but as a competitive advantage that strengthens customer confidence, supports bankability, and differentiates our products in the marketplace.
Key Responsibilities:
Enterprise Reliability Strategy
  • Define and deploy a global reliability strategy spanning design, validation, qualification, and field performance over its lifetime.
  • Standardize reliability methodologies, tools, and processes across regions and product lines.
  • Embed reliability as a core pillar of product development and business decision-making.

Product Risk Governance & Decision-Making
  • Own executive-level assessment of product reliability risk for new product introductions and major design changes.
  • Drive and, where necessary, make go/no-go decisions under conditions of incomplete or evolving data.
  • Balance tradeoffs between time-to-market, product performance, warranty exposure, and brand impact.

Reliability as a Competitive Advantage
  • Position reliability as a key differentiator in product strategy and customer value proposition.
  • Partner with Product Management and Marketing teams to translate reliability performance into customer-facing benefits, including improved system economics and long-term performance confidence.
  • Support bankability efforts by ensuring reliability data and methodologies meet the expectations of customers, investors, and external stakeholders.

Financial & Business Risk Integration
  • Use reliability insights to help make meaningful business impacts, including:
    • Warranty reserve requirements,
    • Lifecycle cost projections, and
    • Margin and profitability considerations.
  • Partner closely with Finance and Asset Management to align reliability assumptions with financial planning and risk management strategies.

Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Serve as the central integrator across Engineering, Product Management, Quality, Asset Management, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
  • Resolve competing priorities across performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Ensure alignment between technical decisions and business objectives.

Reliability Programs & Systems
  • Oversee implementation of robust reliability processes, including:
    • Design for Reliability (DfR) and DFMEA,
    • Accelerated life testing (HALT, HASS, fatigue, environmental testing),
    • Reliability growth modeling and validation frameworks, and
    • Failure analysis and corrective action systems (e.g., FRACAS).
  • Drive continuous improvement through closed-loop learning from test and field data

Field Performance & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead global monitoring of field performance, failure trends, and product health.
  • Ensure rapid identification, escalation, and resolution of systemic issues.
  • Drive incorporation of field learnings into next-generation product designs.

Crisis Leadership & Field Failure Response
  • Serve as the leader during major product performance issues or field failures.
  • Lead cross-functional "war room" responses to diagnose issues, define mitigation strategies, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Balance urgency, transparency, and risk management to protect customers, financial outcomes, and brand reputation.

Organizational Leadership
  • Build, lead, and scale a high-performing global reliability organization
  • Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability frameworks
  • Develop leadership capability and technical depth across the team

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • 15+ years of experience in reliability engineering, product engineering, or related disciplines.
  • Experience in industries with high reliability and long lifecycle requirements (e.g., energy, automotive, aerospace, but solar is preferred).
  • Proven track record of leading global, cross-functional technical organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience influencing product release decisions and managing risk at the executive level

Core Competencies
  • Decisiveness in Uncertainty: Ability to make sound, timely decisions with incomplete data and clearly communicate associated risks.
  • Risk Translation: Ability to translate complex technical risks into clear business, financial, and customer impacts.
  • Systems Thinking: Strong understanding of product lifecycle interactions and long-term performance implications.
  • Technical Depth & Business Acumen: Deep expertise in reliability engineering principles combined with strong financial and strategic awareness.
  • Executive Presence & Influence: Ability to effectively influence senior leadership and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower's benefits please view our company website at www.nextpower.com.
Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $260,000 to $285,000.
At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.
Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
We are Nextpower

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