Reliability Testing Engineer

Thrively is partnering with a well-funded, venture-backed deep-tech startup developing next-generation hardware technology designed to transform performance, efficiency, and scalability in large-scale computing environments.

The company’s breakthrough platform combines advanced MEMS devices, silicon photonics, and high-performance electronics to eliminate critical system bottlenecks. Their chip-scale architecture delivers ultra-low power consumption, high radix density, and telecom-grade reliability, enabling new levels of throughput for AI and hyperscale infrastructure.

With strong financial backing and rapid team growth, the company is entering a pivotal stage focused on qualification, reliability engineering, and scalable deployment.

Role Overview

Thrively is seeking a Reliability Testing Engineer on behalf of our client. In this role, you will work closely with the Lead Reliability Engineer to develop, execute, and analyze reliability test programs ensuring the long-term performance of MEMS, silicon photonic, and electronic devices.

This is a high-growth, technically focused opportunity designed for engineers early in their reliability careers who are passionate about:

• Understanding failure mechanisms
• Stress testing advanced hardware
• Reliability data modeling

You will contribute directly to reliability testing, statistical analysis, and failure investigations, while gaining exposure to the full lifecycle of telecom-grade reliability qualification.

Key Responsibilities

• Support development and execution of reliability test plans for MEMS, silicon photonic, and associated electronic components
• Perform accelerated life testing (temperature, humidity, shock, vibration) to identify degradation and failure trends
• Collaborate with test engineering to design and optimize reliability test setups, including scripting and automation support
• Collect, analyze, and interpret reliability data using statistical techniques
• Assist with failure mode analysis and contribute to root cause investigations alongside FA, packaging, and process teams
• Document test procedures, results, and findings in structured reports aligned with qualification and industry standards
• Develop and automate reliability test systems using Python or LabVIEW, including instrument control and data acquisition
• Contribute to Design-for-Reliability (DfR) feedback loops to improve device robustness
• Gain increasing ownership over reliability programs, progressing toward senior reliability leadership responsibilities

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
  Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• 2–7 years of experience in reliability engineering, device physics, semiconductor test, failure analysis, or related domains (academic + industry combined acceptable)
• Foundational understanding of failure mechanisms, acceleration models, FIT rate concepts
• Hands-on experience with device testing, test instrumentation, stress testing environments
• Ability to analyze reliability data using tools such as:
  Python, MATLAB, JMP, or equivalent
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Familiarity with optical or electrical degradation testing and measurement techniques

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MEMS, silicon photonics, or semiconductor device reliability
• Exposure to reliability standards such as JESD
  22, AEC-Q100, Telcordia, MIL-STD
• Familiarity with failure analysis techniques, SEM, FIB, Optical inspection, X-ray imaging
• Experience contributing to FMEA / DFMEA
• Knowledge of reliability modeling using activation energies and stress acceleration