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Semiconductor Reliability Engineer Jobs in California

Reliability Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$119K - $150K/yr

This role will support reliability qualification, root cause investigations, and validation activities for advanced semiconductor and hardware products. The engineer will work in a board-level ...

Reliability Hardware Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$120K - $151K/yr

Minimum 8 years of Semiconductor Reliability Hardware Design, Rel Engineering or Product Engineering experience required * Experienced in hardware design, external reliability lab management, and ...

Reliability Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$116K - $147K/yr

Experience with semiconductor or capital equipment industries. * Familiarity with electron beam (e-beam) tools. * Exposure to manufacturing reliability and applied failure physics. * Advanced ...

Minimum 8 years of Semiconductor Reliability Hardware Design, Rel Engineering or Product Engineering experience required * Experienced in hardware design, external reliability lab management, and ...

Reliability best practices * Failure physics, mechanical/electrical engineering, materials science ... Preference for those with E-beam/semiconductor capital equipment experience. * Experience with: * E ...

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$121K - $152K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$121K - $152K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$121K - $152K/yr

The Principal Reliability Engineering role is pivotal in this process, focusing on design for ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$121K - $152K/yr

Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

Principal Reliability Engineer

Fremont, CA · Hybrid

$121K - $152K/yr

Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance ... Semiconductor device reliability * Wearout failure modes * Arrhenious equation and acceleration ...

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Semiconductor Reliability Engineer information

See California salary details

$60.2K

$116.4K

$139.2K

How much do semiconductor reliability engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for semiconductor reliability engineer in California is $116,428.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $127,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by Semiconductor Reliability Engineers in their day-to-day work?

Semiconductor Reliability Engineers often face challenges such as identifying the root causes of device failures, balancing tight project timelines, and keeping up with evolving industry standards and technologies. The role requires meticulous attention to experiment design and data interpretation, as even small errors can impact the reliability assessment of products. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including design, process, and test engineering—is also a key aspect, ensuring reliability considerations are integrated throughout development. Staying adaptable and proactive helps overcome these challenges, making the work both dynamic and rewarding.

What does a Semiconductor Reliability Engineer do?

A Semiconductor Reliability Engineer ensures that semiconductor devices and components meet reliability and quality standards over their expected lifespan. They design stress tests, analyze failure mechanisms, and work on improvements to enhance product durability. Their role involves collaborating with design, manufacturing, and testing teams to identify potential weaknesses and implement solutions. By conducting reliability assessments and failure analysis, they help ensure product performance in various operating conditions.

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

To thrive as a Semiconductor Reliability Engineer, you need a strong background in materials science, semiconductor physics, and data analysis, usually supported by an engineering degree. Experience with reliability testing platforms, Failure Analysis tools (like SEM, TEM), and familiarity with industry standards such as JEDEC or ISO are typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities set you apart in this role. These competencies are critical to ensuring product quality, identifying reliability risks, and delivering robust semiconductor devices in a highly collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What are popular job titles related to Semiconductor Reliability Engineer jobs in California? For Semiconductor Reliability Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities in California are hiring for Semiconductor Reliability Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Semiconductor Reliability Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Semiconductor Reliability Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,428 per year, or $56 per hour.

Principal Reliability Engineer

The Hiring Method, LLC

Fremont, CA

$145K - $195K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Location: Fremont, CA

Work Setting: 100% onsite engineering and semiconductor reliability environment

Relocation: Available on a case-by-case basis

Compensation: $145,000 – $195,000 base salary

Bonus: Annual bonus target of approximately 16%

Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, 401(k), employee stock programs, paid time off, and comprehensive employer benefits package

Position Summary

The Principal Reliability Engineer is a highly technical engineering role responsible for developing, executing, and leading reliability strategies for advanced photonics and semiconductor products. This position will play a key role in product qualification, reliability modeling, accelerated life testing, failure analysis, and long-term product performance assessment across cutting-edge optical technologies.

This engineer will work closely with Design Engineering, Program Management, Manufacturing, Logistics, and external manufacturing partners to establish robust reliability methodologies and ensure products meet demanding performance, quality, and lifetime requirements. The role requires strong expertise in semiconductor device reliability, reliability statistics, accelerated testing methodologies, and data-driven engineering decision making.

This is a high-visibility technical leadership opportunity for an experienced reliability engineer who wants to influence critical product development decisions while supporting technologies at the center of next-generation photonics, telecommunications, and optical networking markets.


What You'll Do

• Develop and execute product reliability qualification plans and stress test strategies

• Design accelerated life testing methodologies to evaluate long-term product performance

• Analyze reliability data and provide technical recommendations to engineering teams

• Perform FIT calculations, lifetime predictions, and reliability modeling activities

• Evaluate wear-out mechanisms, random failure modes, and product failure risks

• Apply Arrhenius models, acceleration factors, and reliability statistics to support qualification programs

• Lead reliability reviews and generate technical reports for engineering and leadership teams

• Partner with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, Logistics, and external manufacturing partners

• Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions for reliability-related issues

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to product reliability and qualification processes

• Establish reliability requirements and methodologies for new product development programs

• Present reliability findings and technical recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders


What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Reliability Engineering, or related technical discipline required

• Master's degree preferred

• 5+ years of semiconductor device reliability engineering experience

• Strong understanding of semiconductor reliability principles and qualification methodologies

• Experience with accelerated life testing, reliability modeling, and product qualification programs

• Knowledge of wear-out failure mechanisms, random failure modes, and reliability statistics

• Experience performing FIT calculations and lifetime prediction analysis

• Strong understanding of Arrhenius equations, acceleration factors, and stress testing methodologies

• Hands-on experience with JMP for statistical analysis and reliability data evaluation

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigation capabilities

• Ability to communicate complex technical findings to engineering and business stakeholders

• Experience working within semiconductor, photonics, optoelectronics, or advanced technology environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) through ASQ

• Experience supporting photonics, optical networking, optoelectronics, or semiconductor products

• Familiarity with Intel CQN reliability requirements

• Experience working with contract manufacturers or outsourced production partners

• Advanced reliability statistics and predictive modeling experience

• Experience supporting both product development and manufacturing organizations


What You Get

• Competitive base salary with annual bonus opportunity

• Restricted stock eligibility and long-term incentive potential

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and retirement programs

• Opportunity to work on advanced photonics and semiconductor technologies

• High-visibility technical leadership role with significant engineering influence

• Exposure to cutting-edge optical communications and photonics applications

• Opportunity to shape reliability strategy across multiple product platforms

• Collaborative engineering culture with strong technical growth opportunities

• Stable global technology organization with significant investment in advanced technologies

• Meaningful role supporting mission-critical products and next-generation innovation