Reliability Engineer (Hardware)

Job Title

Reliability Engineer (Hardware)

Role Summary

Design, execute, and analyze reliability tests for Lightmatter's photonics-based AI platform and photonics chiplet communication fabric to verify performance, durability, and compliance with industry standards.

Work with cross-functional teams to identify failure modes, drive root-cause analysis, and implement design and process improvements to meet product reliability targets.

Experience Level

Mid-level. The role expects 5+ years of industry experience as a Reliability Engineer in the semiconductor and/or photonics industry.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include planning and executing reliability qualification tests, analyzing results, and communicating findings.

• Develop reliability test plans based on product requirements, industry standards, and customer expectations.
• Execute reliability qualification testing for photonics-based systems and chiplet communication fabrics.
• Perform Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify and mitigate reliability risks.
• Conduct root cause analysis of device failures and work with design and manufacturing teams to resolve issues.
• Establish internal reliability guidelines and standards to meet customer and industry benchmarks.
• Use statistical analysis to model reliability performance and predict device lifetimes.
• Prepare and present technical reports, test plans, results, and risk assessments to stakeholders.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and industry experience.

• 5+ years industry experience as a Reliability Engineer in semiconductor and/or photonics environments.
• Familiarity with device and package reliability test methodologies (e.g., HTOL, HAST, TDDB, HTHH, TC).
• Hands-on experience with failure analysis tools and techniques such as SEM, TEM, FIB, and EMMI.
• Knowledge of device physics and failure mechanisms in SerDes, digital, and mixed-signal ICs.
• Understanding of packaging failure mechanisms and risks (TSV, solder joints, warpage, metal migration).
• Experience with reliability modeling and statistical analysis (Weibull analysis, Minitab, JMP or equivalent).
• Proven root cause analysis skills and experience driving corrective actions with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to produce clear technical reports and present complex reliability concepts to diverse audiences.
• Must be able to comply with U.S. export control laws and related requirements.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with semiconductor or photonics device/module testing.
• Experience with advanced packaging technologies such as flip-chip, wafer-level packaging, or 3D integration.
• Strong statistical data-analysis and presentation skills.

Education Requirements

Required: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a similar technical field. Preferred: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a similar field (posting notes PhD candidates with at least 1 year working as a Reliability Engineer as preferred).

About the Company

Company: Lightmatter

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Lightmatter develops photonic AI data-center infrastructure and optical chips for extreme-scale AI and HPC. The company invented the Passage 3D‑stacked photonics engine to provide high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnects across large-scale processors and raised $400M in Series D financing at a reported $4.4B valuation.