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Staff Failure Analysis Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and especially motivated Silicon Failure Analysis Engineer! As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to work on ...

Serve as process owner for assigned failure analysis tools and techniques, owning method development, documentation, and capability improvement while partnering with Equipment Engineering to ...

Failure Analysis Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$76K - $121K/yr

Description Silicon level Failure Analysis Engineer will perform device level failure analysis to support RMA and customer issues. Responsibilities: • Performing fault isolation and defect analysis ...

Experience with integrated circuit and device failure analysis * Programming skills for automation of bench characterization equipment (VBA, Python, GPIB) * Knowledge and experience characterization ...

We have an opportunity for a forward-thinking and especially motivated Silicon Failure Analysis Engineer! As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the rare and great opportunity to work on ...

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Staff Failure Analysis Engineer information

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$23K

$99.3K

$192.5K

How much do staff failure analysis engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff failure analysis engineer in the United States is $99,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Staff Failure Analysis Engineer vs Failure Analysis Engineer?

AspectStaff Failure Analysis EngineerFailure Analysis Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, certifications like ASQ or IPC often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, similar certifications
Work EnvironmentTypically in R&D or manufacturing settings, leading failure investigationsIn labs or manufacturing facilities, conducting failure analysis tasks
Industry UsageUsed across electronics, automotive, aerospace industriesCommonly found in electronics, semiconductor, and manufacturing sectors

The Staff Failure Analysis Engineer and Failure Analysis Engineer roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The key difference is that the Staff Failure Analysis Engineer often takes on more leadership responsibilities and complex investigations, whereas the Failure Analysis Engineer focuses on executing analysis tasks. Both roles are vital in quality assurance and product reliability across various industries.

How does a Staff Failure Analysis Engineer typically collaborate with other departments to resolve product issues?

As a Staff Failure Analysis Engineer, you will frequently work cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, quality, and reliability engineering teams. Your insights from root-cause investigations are essential for guiding corrective actions and informing design improvements. Effective communication and documentation are key, as you'll often present findings in meetings and generate detailed reports for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This collaborative environment ensures that product issues are addressed efficiently and future failures are minimized.

What are Staff Failure Analysis Engineers?

Staff Failure Analysis Engineers are specialized professionals who investigate and determine the root causes of product or component failures in manufacturing and engineering environments. They use advanced analytical techniques and tools to identify defects or weaknesses in materials, components, or processes. Their insights help companies improve product reliability, prevent future failures, and support quality assurance. These engineers often work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to implement corrective actions and enhance product performance.

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

To thrive as a Staff Failure Analysis Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field, with expertise in root-cause analysis and semiconductor device physics. Familiarity with analytical tools such as SEM, TEM, FIB, and failure analysis software, as well as industry-standard certifications like IPC or Six Sigma, is often required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and clearly report findings. These skills and qualifications are crucial for diagnosing product failures, improving reliability, and supporting product development cycles.
More about Staff Failure Analysis Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Staff Failure Analysis Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Staff Failure Analysis Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Staff Failure Analysis Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Failure Analysis Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Staff Failure Analysis Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $99,330 per year, or $47.8 per hour.
Failure Analysis Engineer

Failure Analysis Engineer

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Sherman, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • Manage failure analysis workflows and projects for assigned products or processes, effectively prioritizing and executing multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
  • Perform and/or coordinate a broad range of advanced failure analysis techniques, including manual probing, electrical characterization, optical and infrared microscopy, thermal microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectioning, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
  • Serve as process owner for assigned failure analysis tools and techniques, owning method development, documentation, and capability improvement while partnering with Equipment Engineering to troubleshoot and sustain tool performance and reliability.
  • Prepare and publish failure analysis reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences; lead cross-functional root cause investigations; and recommend design, process, and reliability improvements. Present findings to customers as required.
  • Apply broad knowledge of products, processes, and analytical techniques to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners on complex technical issues.
  • Design, implement, and continuously improve failure analysis infrastructure, systems, and procedures to support new products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
  • Develop new analytical methods, evaluate and procure new equipment and fixturing, and drive improvements to existing FA processes, workflows, and capabilities.
  • Track failure modes and maintain failure mode libraries, providing periodic trend analysis and summary reports to the FA Manager and relevant stakeholders.
  • Mentor and develop team members, including engineers, technicians, and interns, by providing technical guidance, hands-on training, and formal training materials.
  • Identify team development and training needs, create technical training content, and coordinate or deliver training to strengthen overall FA capability.
  • Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers, cross-site peers, and third-party laboratories.

Education & Experience
  • Requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree with 9 years related experience, or a master's degree with 7 years related experience, or a PhD with 4 years of related experience.

Skills
  • Proficiency with standard engineering and data analysis tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with JMP and image processing software (e.g., Photoshop or equivalent) is preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with advanced failure analysis techniques, including optical microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) and DBFIB, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), including TEM sample preparation and TEM-EDS analysis.
  • Advanced understanding of semiconductor device physics and materials, including solid-state and laser physics; experience with III-V semiconductor systems such as GaAs or InP is preferred.
  • Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills, with experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., fault tree analysis, 8D, or similar) to complex technical issues.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document analyses, develop technical reports, present findings to diverse audiences, and constructively resolve issues through data-driven problem solving.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, driving actions and generating solutions that support business unit and organizational objectives.
  • Support product reliability, yield improvement, and qualification activities through failure analysis insights.
  • Experience developing, maintaining, and improving technical documentation, procedures, and work instructions in a laboratory, manufacturing, or high-reliability engineering environment.
  • Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to independently plan work, set realistic schedules, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet or exceed commitments.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound technical judgment when faced with complex, ambiguous, or incomplete information.
  • Professional and respectful interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with coworkers, vendors, contractors, and external partners.
  • Experience working in laboratory and manufacturing environments, including adherence to safety practices, tool usage requirements, and material handling procedures.

Working Conditions
  • Work in a class 1,000/10,000 clean room for extended periods
  • Wear cleanroom attire (smock, frocks, mask, etc.)
  • Work with and/or around chemicals (such as IPA and Acetone)
  • Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to support a 24-hour manufacturing operation and critical business needs.

Physical Requirements
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to grasp, manipulate, and position very small objects (approximately 85 µm in diameter) using tweezers and other precision tools.
  • Close visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, required for activities including preparing and analyzing data; reading and interpreting figures; focusing and viewing microscopic images; visual inspection of small parts and defects; operating precision positioning probes; using measurement devices; and performing assembly or destructive analysis at close viewing distances.
  • Ability to distinguish colors to identify defects, features, or conditions on parts and materials.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in spoken English, including clearly conveying detailed or important instructions to others in person or in group settings.
  • Ability to hear and interpret sounds at normal speaking levels, with or without correction, and to receive detailed information through oral communication.
  • Ability to work at a microscope, which may require bending forward at the waist or spine for periods of up to one hour at a time.
  • Ability to perform sedentary work, involving sitting and/or standing for up to four hours at a time while working at a workstation, microscope, or solvent hood.
  • Ability to walk within the facility, including distances of up to approximately 500 meters, sometimes while wearing required protective footwear or shoe covers.
  • Ability to perform light physical work, including lifting, carrying, or moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds over short distances.
  • Ability to ascend and descend stairs and ladders as required.
  • Ability to occasionally kneel or crouch to reach items below workstations or within equipment enclosures.
  • Ability to perform precision manual probing, using both hands and arms, for periods of up to one hour at a time.
  • Ability to work safely in environments with potential hazards, including proximity to moving mechanical parts that may present pinch hazards and exposure to chemicals.
  • Ability and willingness to wear required cleanroom attire, including gowns and personal protective equipment, for periods of up to four hours at a time.

Safety Requirements
All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.
Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.
The following additional safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when performing applicable job duties:
  • Nitrile gloves must be worn when handling isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, wafers, die, or other parts submitted for analysis.
  • Laser safety glasses must be worn when testing or working with high-power laser components.
  • Safety glasses or goggles (prescription or standard) must be worn when performing tasks such as operating a die punch tool, pouring liquid nitrogen, or cleaning parts with chemicals.
  • Thermal (cryogenic) gloves must be worn when handling liquid nitrogen.
  • Cut-resistant (sharps) gloves must be worn when handling sharp parts or materials.
  • Face shields must be worn when pouring liquid nitrogen or when cleaning parts using chemicals where splash hazards are present.
  • Chemical-resistant aprons and gloves must be worn when pouring or handling chemicals.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.