Principal Reliability and Quality Engineer (Optical Systems) - Sunnyvale, CA, United States
Originally posted 2 March 2026 by the employer.
About the role
The Principal Reliability and Quality Engineer leads reliability strategy and quality execution across product lifecycle stages for new optical product platforms, from architectural definition through high-volume manufacturing. The focus spans lasers, optical switching, transceivers, photonic components, and opto-mechanical assemblies.
What you'll do
- Lead reliability strategy development, qualification, and validation plans for new optical product platforms from early architecture through production ramp. - Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis activities utilizing physics-of-failure principles and structured methodologies including 8D and DMAIC. - Analyze reliability data using statistical methods and Weibull analysis to estimate lifetime performance, failure rates, and confidence levels. - Drive process optimization, yield enhancement, and quality improvements using Lean, Six Sigma, and SPC methodologies. - Partner with optical designers, mechanical engineers, process engineers, and suppliers to assess process capabilities and mitigate long-term reliability risks.
What you'll need
- B.S., M.S., or higher in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field. - Minimum 10 years of experience in reliability and quality engineering focused on optical systems, photonics devices, or optoelectronic assemblies. - Demonstrated experience supporting products through NPI and high-volume manufacturing environments. - Technical understanding of optical systems including lasers, optical switching, transceivers, photonic components, packaging, and opto-mechanical assemblies. - Hands-on experience with failure analysis techniques such as cross-sectioning, SEM, material analysis, and electrical/optical characterization.
Nice to have
Skills: optical product platforms, failure analysis, physics-of-failure, qualification and validation plans, accelerated life testing, environmental stress screening, HALT/HASS