Automotive Failure Analysis & Reliability Engineer South Natick Foreign Motors Natick, MA Job Details Full-time $40,000 - $60,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Mechanical blueprint interpretation CAD software Fluid dynamics MATLAB Content creation for technical audiences Schematics Technical documentation Mechanical Engineering Data reporting Bachelor's degree in engineering Attention to detail Solid mechanics FEA Materials science Technical writing experience within technology Data analysis software Full Job Description South Natick Foreign Motors is seeking a detail-oriented Automotive Failure Analysis & Reliability Engineer to join our team. In this analytical role, you will apply core mechanical engineering principles—including materials science, stress analysis, fluid dynamics, and thermodynamics—to conduct forensic investigations on failed, high-value mechanical and powertrain components. Rather than executing physical vehicle repairs or installations, this position focuses on technical diagnosis, metallurgical inspection, engineering calculations, and producing formal failure analysis reports.
Key Responsibilities Forensic Failure Analysis:
Inspect and evaluate failed complex mechanical assemblies (e.g., turbochargers, variable valve timing mechanisms, dual-clutch transmission components, and high-voltage drive systems) to identify physical root causes.
Metallurgical & Material Inspection:
Conduct non-destructive and destructive examinations using optical microscopy to identify signs of thermal stress, material fatigue, brittle/ductile fractures, microstructural defects, or fluid contamination.
Engineering Calculations & Modeling:
Apply solid mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics equations to calculate stress-strain limits, operating thermal gradients, and pressure differentials leading to component degradation.
Technical Reporting:
Author comprehensive, industry-standard engineering reports detailing failure modes, evidence, calculations, and recommendations to prevent future recurrences.
Quality Control & Vendor Liaison:
Collaborate with aftermarket parts suppliers and OE manufacturers to analyze component failure trends, evaluate warranty claims, and review technical service bulletins (TSBs).
Data-Driven Quality Assurance:
Maintain a database of component failure metrics to identify reliability patterns across specific vehicle makes, models, and component lines.
Minimum Qualifications Education:
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a closely related ABET-accredited engineering discipline ( Required ). Strong academic foundation in Materials Science, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Mechanics of Materials. Proficiency in technical reporting, data analysis, and engineering calculation tools (e.g., MATLAB, SolidWorks, Excel, or FEA packages). Familiarity with reading engineering schematics, CAD models, and technical documentation. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for translating complex engineering concepts into actionable business reports. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with automotive systems, CAN bus telemetry, or electronic control units (ECUs). Experience with optical microscopy, hardness testing, or fractography. Coursework or project experience in root-cause failure analysis (RCFA) or reliability engineering.
