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Sr Reliability Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Reliability Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$120K - $171K/yr

Drive failure mode analysis efforts for product reliability failures Qualifications * PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics * Strong fundamental understanding of photonic ...

hardware engineer 3

San Jose, CA · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

Senior Reliability Engineer, RF Characterization and Reliability Overview We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Reliability Engineer 3 to join our team, focusing on the radio frequency ...

hardware engineer 3

San Jose, CA · On-site

$101K - $162K/yr

Senior Reliability Engineer, RF Characterization and Reliability Overview We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Reliability Engineer 3 to join our team, focusing on the radio frequency ...

Showing results 41-60

Sr Reliability Engineer information

See California salary details

$21

$63

$91

How much do sr reliability engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for sr reliability engineer in California is $63.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.45 and $76.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Sr Reliability Engineer vs Reliability Engineer?

AspectSr Reliability EngineerReliability Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, certifications like CRE or Six Sigma often preferredBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentTypically in manufacturing, energy, or tech industries focusing on system reliability and failure analysisSimilar industries, focusing on designing, testing, and improving product or system reliability
Employer UsageUsed in companies seeking experienced engineers to lead reliability projectsUsed for entry to mid-level roles focused on reliability assessments

The main difference is experience level and responsibility. Sr Reliability Engineers often lead projects and have more advanced certifications, while Reliability Engineers focus on supporting reliability tasks. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments, but the senior role involves more leadership and strategic planning.

How does a Sr Reliability Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve system reliability?

As a Sr Reliability Engineer, you will regularly work alongside operations, development, and QA teams to identify potential reliability risks and implement solutions. This often involves facilitating root cause analyses after incidents, sharing best practices, and leading reliability-focused design reviews. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex technical findings into actionable recommendations are key, as your insights directly influence infrastructure and product decisions. This collaborative approach helps foster a culture of reliability across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Reliability Engineer?

To thrive as a Sr Reliability Engineer, you need expertise in reliability engineering principles, root cause analysis, and a relevant engineering degree, often with several years of industry experience. Familiarity with reliability software (such as ReliaSoft or Minitab), maintenance management systems, and certifications like Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, proactive communication, and leadership skills help you drive reliability initiatives and collaborate across teams. These competencies are vital to ensure equipment uptime, reduce failures, and improve operational efficiency in complex industrial environments.

What does a Sr Reliability Engineer do?

A Sr Reliability Engineer is responsible for ensuring that products, systems, or processes operate reliably and efficiently over their expected lifecycle. They analyze failure data, develop reliability test plans, and implement strategies to predict and prevent failures. Their role often involves collaborating with design, manufacturing, and maintenance teams to improve product quality and reduce downtime. Additionally, they may use reliability modeling tools and statistical techniques to assess risk and recommend improvements. This position typically requires advanced engineering knowledge and experience in reliability engineering principles.
What cities in California are hiring for Sr Reliability Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sr Reliability Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Sr Reliability Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,226 per year, or $63.6 per hour.

Senior Reliability Engineer

Nokia

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$120K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 hours ago


Nokia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 97 rated telecommunications companies


Job description


This position is cross-functional in nature and requires close cooperation with the design, development ,and production teams. The ideal candidate would possess a deep understanding of the physics of photonic devices and have a strong desire to learn about the reliability challenges associated with new product development.
Responsibilities
  • Participate in design and development process, evaluate device and system failure modes and associated risks.
  • Coordinate accelerated reliability stress tests to characterize the over-life performance of next-generation PICs
  • Develop life models based on data from accelerated-aging tests
  • Drive failure mode analysis efforts for product reliability failures

Qualifications
  • PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics
  • Strong fundamental understanding of photonic devices and their manufacturing processes
  • Aptitude to learn about new photonic device design and photonic device integration and associated processes
  • Excellent teamwork and communication skills

About Us
Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we're advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
Learn more about life at Nokia.
Our recruitment process
We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.
If you're interested in this role but don't meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.
The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.
About the Team
Some of our benefits in US:
  • Corporate Retirement Savings Plan
  • Health and dental benefits
  • Short-term disability, and long-term disability
  • Life insurance, and AD&D - Company paid 2x base pay
  • Optional or Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (Employee/Spouse/Child)
  • Paid time off for holidays and Vacation
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Tuition Assistance Plan
  • Adoption assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program/Work Life Resource Program

The above benefits exclude students.
Disclaimer for US/Canada
Nokia Maintains broad annual base salary ranges for its roles in order to account for variations in knowledge, skills, experience and market conditions, and with consideration to internal peer equity. Check the salary ranges in the job info section for this role.
All North America job posts will post for a minimum of 7 calendar days and up to 180 days or until candidate/s identified.

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