Staff Hardware Reliability Engineer - Sensors

About this role

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>Who we are</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br><a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible" href="https://aurora.tech/aurora-driver" target="_blank" data-stringify-link="https://aurora.tech/aurora-driver" data-sk="tooltip_parent">The Aurora Driver</a> will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit <a href="https://aurora.tech/" target="_blank">aurora.tech</a> or follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/auroradriver" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p></div><p><strong>What we are looking for</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p>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 sensor systems (Lidar, Camera, Radar, IMU). 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.</p> <p><strong>In this role you will</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Lead Sensor Reliability Assessments:</strong> Conduct rigorous reliability evaluations and design test campaigns for both internal and external sensor designs to ensure they meet our rigorous automotive standards.</li> <li><strong>Drive Failure Analysis (FA):</strong> Take ownership of complex reliability failures, and shepherd corrective actions in the form of near term mitigations and longer term design or process fixes.</li> <li><strong>Facilitate Proactive Risk Mitigation:</strong> Lead Design Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (DFMEA) sessions and implement corrective action plans based on prior experience and testing.</li> <li><strong>Develop Predictive Reliability Models:</strong> Create models to predict failure rates for integrated modules and individual sensors across diverse climates and road conditions.</li> <li><strong>Collaborate Cross-Functionally:</strong> Work with Hardware Design, Systems Engineering, Hardware Safety, Field Operations, Emedded Software, and contract manufacturers to integrate reliability findings into the design and manufacturing processes.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Extensive Experience in Sensor Validation:</strong> Proven track record in developing and validating optomechanical products, including cameras, lidars, or other optical instruments.</li> <li><strong>Expertise in Physics of Failure:</strong> Deep understanding of the physics of failure for electronic and optoelectronic components as applied to sensor systems.</li> <li><strong>Reliability Test Design:</strong> Strong ability to design and execute reliability test flows (shock, vibration, thermal) suitable for contract manufacturing environments.</li> <li><strong>Technical Data Analysis:</strong> Proficiency in analyzing sensor performance data to generate actionable insights.</li> <li><strong>Mass Production Background:</strong> Direct experience improving the reliability of mass-produced optomechanical assemblies and managing feedback loops with external vendors.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Desirable qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Industry Experience:</strong> Prior experience at leading R&D at automotive companies</li> <li><strong>Standards Knowledge:</strong> Familiarity with AEC-Q, ISO-16750, and other relevant automotive reliability standards.</li> <li><strong>Manufacturing Experience:</strong> Experience evaluating the reliability of manufacturing and assembly processes as a product moves toward large-scale production.</li> <li><strong>Hardware-Firmware Interaction:</strong> Working knowledge of the interactions between hardware and firmware critical to sensor performance.</li> <li><strong>Breadth of Technical Skills:</strong> Conceptual understanding of material science, PCBAs (BGA structural integrity), and conformal coating impacts on humidity exposure.</li> </ul> <p><br>The base salary range for this position is<strong>  $181,000 - $262,000 </strong>per<strong> </strong>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…