Electronics Failure Analysis Engineer (R5258)

Shield AI
On-site
Posted 4 months ago
X-BAT Division

Job Description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Responsibilities

What you'll do:

  • Operate and continuously improve world-class materials and failure investigation laboratory spanning equipment including, but not limited to, SEM/EDS, x-ray, CT, optical microscopy, and cross-section preparation.
  • Develop and implement lab procedures spanning materials characterization, failure analysis investigations, and reporting of results to various stakeholders.
  • Perform failure analysis on electronic failures and recommend corrective actions to address identified failure mechanisms across metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials.
  • Drive failure analysis investigations using common methods including 8D, fault-tree, fishbone, and FRACAS.
  • Conduct mechanical cross-sectioning to prepare samples for subsequent analysis.
  • Perform dye-and-pry and CSAM to reveal cracks and voids.
  • Utilize X-ray inspection methods (2D and computed tomography) for electronics failure analysis.
  • Operate Scanning Electron Microscopes and conduct Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy.
  • Execute thermal analysis work on materials, including DSC, TGA, DMA, TMA, and FTIR.
  • Manage procurement and maintenance of lab consumables.
  • Oversee the maintenance, organization, and safety of all laboratory equipment and work areas.
  • Work with external laboratories to perform materials and failure analysis work as necessary.
  • Educate stakeholders on materials science fundamentals to improve material selection and materials processing practices across the design, supply chain, and manufacturing teams.
  • Stay current with industry trends, advancements, and best practices in all aspects of electronic materials and related failure mechanisms.
  • Requirements

    Required qualifications:

  • 2+ years of experience in a materials engineering role, preferably with a focus on aerospace or automotive applications.
  • Candidate must be self-starting and come with a growth mindset, with excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering. Degrees in Mechanical OR Reliability Engineering also are accepted.
  • Familiarity with electronics (PCBs, PCBAs, electronic components) and moving mechanical assemblies. Knowledgeable in failure mechanisms including solder fatigue, intermetallic growth, conductive anodic filaments, tin whiskers, electromigration, and corrosion.
  • Team-player with clear and concise written and oral communication skills.
  • Experience working with interdisciplinary teams to execute product design from concept to production.
  • Experience with management of technical projects.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience operating expensive lab instruments, including SEMs, microscopes, and x-ray systems.
  • Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including IPC, JEDEC, MIL, and ASTM standards.
  • Preferred qualifications:

  • 5+ years of experience in a materials engineering role, preferably with a focus on aerospace or automotive applications.
  • Master's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.
  • Proficiency in failure analysis techniques and materials characterization methods. Direct application to electronics is preferred.
  • Prior experience running a materials characterization and/or failure analysis lab.
  • Experience with environmental testing, including temperature cycling, vibration, highly accelerated limit testing (HALT), and highly-accelerated stress screening (HASS).
  • Familiarity with PCB fabrication, SMT, and polymerics application manufacturing processes.
  • Significant knowledge of materials engineering principles, methods, and tools.
  • Proficiency in Python, including NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Plotly, and Matplotlib.
  • Ready to Apply?

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    About the job

    Posted on
    Jul 9, 2026
    Job type
    Full-time
    Location
    Seattle, WashingtonOn-site

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