Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer

What we are looking for

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all.

We’re searching for a Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer who will join the Hardware Reliability team to ensure the robustness of the Aurora Driver by leading reliability efforts for our next-generation hardware systems. This is a high-impact opportunity to work at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology, collaborating with world-class partners like Volvo, PACCAR, and Aumovio (formerly Continental) to bring a robust, scaled product to market.

In this role you will

• Lead Hardware Reliability Assessments: Conduct rigorous reliability evaluations and design test campaigns for both internal and external hardware designs to ensure they meet our rigorous automotive standards.
• Drive Failure Analysis (FA): Take ownership of complex reliability failures, and shepherd corrective actions in the form of near term contaminants and longer term design or process mitigations.
• Facilitate Proactive Risk Mitigation: Lead Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) sessions and implement corrective action plans based on prior experience and testing.
• Develop Predictive Reliability Models: Create models to predict failure rates for single and integrated modules across diverse climates and road conditions.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Work with Hardware Design, Systems Engineering, Hardware Safety, Field Operations, Emedded Software, and contract manufacturers to integrate reliability findings into design and manufacturing processes.

Required qualifications

• Extensive Experience in Hardware Validation: Proven track record in developing and validating hardware products such as compute systems, automotive sensors, and systems of interest (e.g. thermal management, sensor cleaning). Expertise in driving root cause analysis to inform design improvements.
• Expertise in Knowledge of Physics of Failure: Deep Understanding of the physics of failure for electronic, mechanical, and optoelectronic components as applied to hardware systems.
• Reliability Test Design: Strong ability to design and execute reliability test flows (shock, vibration, thermal) suitable for contract manufacturing environments.
• Technical Data Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing hardware performance data to generate actionable insights.
• Mass Production Background: Direct experience improving the reliability of mass-produced optomechanical assemblies and managing feedback loops with external vendors.

Desirable qualifications

• Industry Experience: Prior experience at leading R&D at automotive companies
• Standards Knowledge: Familiarity with AEC-Q, ISO-16750, and other relevant automotive reliability standards.
• Manufacturing Experience: Experience evaluating the reliability of manufacturing and assembly processes as a product moves toward large-scale production.
• Hardware-Firmware Interaction: Working knowledge of the interactions between hardware and firmware critical to hardware performance.
• Breadth of Technical Skills: Conceptual understanding of material science, PCBAs (BGA structural integrity), and conformal coating impacts on humidity exposure.

Pay and benefits

For roles based in Mountain View, CA: The salary range for this position is $181,000 - $290,000 per year.

For roles based in Pittsburgh, PA: The salary range for this position is $163,000 - $261,000 per year.

Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together - all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.