Hardware / Failure Analysis Engineer

Kforce has a client in Cupertino, CA that is seeking a Hardware/Failure Analysis Engineer. Responsibilities:

• Lead hardware failure analysis and debug for BMU systems from prototype through mass production, with emphasis on board-level and system-level issue isolation
• Investigate electrical, thermal, and functional failures using structured methodologies (root cause analysis, FA workflows, DOE) and deliver detailed technical reports
• Perform bench-level bring-up, debug, and failure reproduction on mixed-signal and power electronics boards using lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies, etc.)
• Partner cross-functionally (Product Design, System EE, Cell Engineering, Firmware, Algorithms) to triage failures, identify root cause, and drive corrective actions
• Analyze field returns, lab failures, and production escapes to identify systemic issues and improve product reliability
• Support failure characterization and data analysis, including correlation of electrical behavior with system-level performance
• Develop and execute validation and stress testing plans to uncover failure modes and validate fixes
• Review schematics, layouts, and BOMs to identify potential design-related failure risks and recommend design improvements
• Utilize simulation tools (e.g., PSPICE, ANSYS or equivalent) to support failure analysis, worst-case analysis, and root cause validation
• Drive design for reliability (DFR) and design for test (DFT) improvements based on failure learnings
• Define and refine production test strategies and screening limits to detect defects early and prevent escapes
• BS degree
• 3 years of relevant industry experience
• Hands-on experience in hardware debug and failure analysis of analog, mixed-signal, or power electronics systems
• Strong experience with board bring-up, lab debugging, and root cause analysis methodologies
• Proficiency in interpreting schematics and PCB layouts (Cadence, Altium, Eagle, etc.)
• Experience troubleshooting issues at component, board, and system levels

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering preferred
• Strong EE fundamentals across analog, power electronics, and embedded systems
• Experience with failure analysis techniques (e.g., fault injection, stress testing, environmental testing, reliability analysis)
• Familiarity with communication protocols (I2C, SMBus, SPMI, etc.) and debugging related issues
• Exposure to high-volume manufacturing environments, including yield analysis and production failure trends
• Experience with data analysis and scripting (Python, MATLAB, etc.) to support failure trending and root cause insights
• Strong documentation skills with ability to produce clear FA reports and executive-level summaries
• Self-starter with strong ownership, capable of driving issues from identification to resolution in fast-paced environments