Senior Failure Analysis Engineer

Product Engineer 4 (Materials / Plastics / Failure Analysis)

Location : Fremont, CA (Hybrid: 3 Days Onsite / 2 Days Remote)

Duration : 24-Month Contract with possible extensions or Contract-to-Hire

Pay Rate : Up to $95.29/hour

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Product Engineer to lead the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of advanced materials and engineered components used in high-technology products. This role will partner with suppliers and cross-functional engineering teams to support new product introduction (NPI), resolve complex technical challenges, and ensure product quality throughout the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in materials engineering, polymers, plastics manufacturing, failure analysis, statistical methods, and experimental design, along with experience supporting supplier development and manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead product development activities from prototype through production qualification, product release, and initial field support.

• Drive supplier development and qualification by implementing quality plans and improving manufacturing processes.

• Design and execute experiments, testing, and validation plans to resolve complex engineering problems.

• Perform root cause investigations and failure analysis using materials characterization and laboratory techniques.

• Evaluate product performance and recommend design or process improvements based on analytical data.

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supplier, and field support teams to develop robust product solutions.

• Provide technical guidance to suppliers regarding process improvements, validation methods, and product qualification activities.

• Prepare technical reports, engineering documentation, and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations.

• Support troubleshooting, installation, repair, and resolution of complex product and manufacturing issues.

• Travel to supplier and manufacturing sites as needed to support product development and supplier quality initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Optics, or a related engineering discipline with significant industry experience; or Ph.D. with relevant engineering experience.

• Strong analytical thinking and experimental design capabilities.

• Experience performing failure analysis using materials characterization techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing.

• Experience supporting product development, qualification, and manufacturing processes.

• Excellent problem-solving, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis skills.

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Ability to lead cross-functional technical projects and collaborate with suppliers and internal engineering teams.

• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with plastics manufacturing processes including injection molding, machining, welding, thermoforming, or additive manufacturing.

• Knowledge of statistical analysis tools such as JMP, Minitab, or equivalent.

• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), Gage R&R, and Process Capability Analysis (Cpk/Ppk).

• Experience supporting supplier quality, new product introduction (NPI), or manufacturing engineering.

• Background in highly regulated, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, or industrial equipment environments.

Key Skills

Product Engineering, Materials Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Plastics Manufacturing, Failure Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, Materials Characterization, Microscopy, Spectroscopy, Thermal Analysis, Mechanical Testing, Product Development, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, New Product Introduction (NPI), Experimental Design, Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Analysis, JMP, Minitab, Gage R&R, Process Capability (Cpk/Ppk), Manufacturing Engineering, Injection Molding, Thermoforming, Additive Manufacturing, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Technical Troubleshooting, Engineering Validation, Technical Presentations.

Pride Global offers eligible employee's comprehensive healthcare coverage (medical, dental, and vision plans), supplemental coverage (accident insurance, critical illness insurance and hospital indemnity), 401(k)-retirement savings, life & disability insurance, an employee assistance program, legal support, auto, home insurance, pet insurance and employee discounts with preferred vendors.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Pride Global and its affiliates are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of the race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Fair Chance Employment

Pride Global and its affiliates are a Fair Chance employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with applicable state and local Fair Chance laws and ordinances, including, the California Fair Chance Act and all applicable local Fair Chance ordinances.

Accommodations

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform the essential functions of this role, please contact us.