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Job Description
Must Have Technical/Functional Skills We are seeking a versatile and proactive Hardware Reliability & Materials Lab Engineer / Technician to join our hardware engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for executing diverse environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical validation tests on high-tech hardware components and sub-assemblies. Beyond hands-on test execution, you will act as a core steward of laboratory operations—overseeing equipment upkeep, coordinating vendor maintenance schedules, tracking lab procurement, and upholding strict laboratory safety standards. • An equivalent combination of an Associate's degree/technical certification and 3+ years of hands-on experience in an R&D or hardware reliability testing laboratory. •
Environmental & Mechanical Testing Proficiency:
Demonstrated hands-on expertise operating environmental test chambers (thermal, humidity, salt fog/corrosion, UV/weathering) and mechanical testing instrumentation (tensile/compression load frames, vibration shakers, adhesion/peel testers). •
Analytical & Metrology Skills:
Strong foundational knowledge of analytical metrology and materials characterization techniques (surface energy/contact angle measurements, chemical compatibility testing, optical inspection, and visual failure analysis). •
Lab Operations & Safety Acumen:
Proven track record in laboratory operations coordination, equipment troubleshooting, asset tracking, vendor management, and strict adherence to laboratory EHS and chemical safety guidelines. •
Communication & Software Aptitude:
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proficiency in data analysis spreadsheets, issue tracking software (e.g., Jira, bug trackers), and authoring clear technical documentation and SOPs. Roles & Responsibilities •
Comprehensive Hardware & Materials Testing:
Plan, set up, and execute environmental, thermal, mechanical, and chemical reliability tests (e.g., accelerated weathering, cyclic corrosion, temperature/humidity cycling, vibration/shock, and tensile/compression testing) on raw materials, coatings, adhesives, and electromechanical assemblies. •
Surface & Optical Characterization:
Conduct precision physical and surface measurements (including contact angle metrology, roll-off angle characterization, peel strength adhesion, and coating degradation analysis) to validate component durability against engineering specifications. •
Laboratory Stewardship & Operations:
Oversee general laboratory upkeep, maintain equipment calibration schedules, coordinate facility infrastructure upgrades, track lab purchases and purchase orders (POs), and maintain reliability testing tracking dashboards. •
Failure Analysis & Issue Tracking:
Perform root-cause failure analysis on degraded or damaged parts post-testing, document empirical observations, file comprehensive bug reports, and track issues to resolution across cross-functional engineering teams. •
Test Method & SOP Advancement:
Develop, refine, and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and assist in designing custom test fixtures to streamline laboratory workflows and expand gener al hardware verification capabilities Day-to-Day Activities •
Test Profile Configuration & Execution:
Prepare experimental samples, program multi-stage test profiles on environmental test chambers and mechanical test frames, monitor active test progress, and perform scheduled interim inspections. •
Data Processing & Reporting:
Extract, post-process, and synthesize experimental test data; generate clear weekly status reports, maintain laboratory tracking metrics, and present technical findings during regular team operations syncs. •
Equipment Upkeep & Troubleshooting:
Perform routine preventative maintenance on laboratory chambers and test fixtures, diagnose instrumentation faults, and interface with external equipment vendors and facility engineers for specialized repairs. •
Cross-Functional Handoffs & Planning:
Collaborate closely with mechanical design, materials engineering, and component leads to align on incoming sample handoffs, test prioritization, and design verification test (DVP) schedules. •
Lab Organization & Safety Compliance:
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory working environment, participate in regular Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) site walks, and ensure proper chemical handling and storage.
