Principal Reliability Engineer

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At Cesium Astro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands‑on, interactive, and autonomous work, Cesium Astro is the place for you.

We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward‑thinking individuals to join our team.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Reliability Engineer I to join our team. The ideal candidate will lead the development and implementation of reliability strategies for space systems, including spacecraft, and ground support equipment. You will work closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure that our systems meet or exceed reliability, safety, and performance standards throughout their lifecycle. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong analytical skills, and a passion for advancing space exploration and satellite technology.

The successful candidate will also present to our customers and executive team. As such, excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

• Conduct reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) analysis, including Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify potential failure modes and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with design and systems engineering teams to influence design decisions, ensuring reliability and maintainability are built into systems from inception through to production.
• Develop and maintain reliability databases, track system performance, and provide regular reports on reliability metrics to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Develop test plans, procedures, and validation methods to verify the reliability of components, subsystems, and full systems in both laboratory and field environments.
• Lead investigations of reliability‑related issues and failures, providing detailed analysis and corrective action plans to improve system reliability and performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in reliability engineering practices, including the use of new tools, methodologies, and technologies.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers, provide technical guidance, and contribute to a culture of reliability and quality throughout the organization.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or Systems Engineering) or a related field.
• Minimum of 9 years of experience in reliability engineering, preferably within the space, aerospace, or defense industries.
• Expertise in reliability analysis tools and methodologies (e.g., FMEA, FTA, Weibull Analysis).
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Relia Soft, MATLAB, Minitab) and reliability modeling tools.
• Strong understanding of space system design, materials science, and environmental testing.
• Experience with relevant industry standards (e.g., NASA, ESA, MIL-STD, ISO).
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.

• Experience with spacecraft systems, launch vehicles, or satellite technologies.
• Certification in reliability engineering (e.g., Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) by ASQ).
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles and practices (e.g., INCOSE certification).

$165,000 - $198,000 a year

Cesium Astro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full‑time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

Cesium Astro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note:

Cesium Astro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Cesium Astro team members will be considered property of Cesium Astro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.