Failure Analysis Engineer

About the role

Skydio is seeking a skilled quality engineer to enhance product quality and market speed. This role focuses on diagnosing and resolving issues in drone systems. You will perform root cause analysis and drive improvements across the product lifecycle.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Conduct detailed failure analysis on products returned, manufacturing defects, and field failures.
• Investigate failures across various drone components like PCBs, power systems, batteries, cameras, and sensors.
• Apply systematic root cause analysis methods such as 8D, 5 Why, and FMEA.
• Develop and execute diagnostic procedures for failed products.
• Perform electrical measurements using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
• Interpret circuit schematics and PCB layouts.
• Identify failure trends from production and field data.
• Recommend design improvements to boost product reliability.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions with various engineering and production teams.
• Analyze component-level failures including ICs, MOSFETs, and connectors.
• Evaluate solder quality, PCB defects, and mechanical failures.
• Prepare comprehensive failure analysis reports detailing root causes and actions.
• Maintain failure databases and reliability metrics.
• Collaborate with Design, Hardware, Software, Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Instrumentation Engineering, Embedded Systems, or Aerospace Engineering (with an electronics specialization preferred).
• 3 to 8 years of experience in failure analysis, reliability engineering, hardware validation, or product quality.
• Experience in UAV, drone, robotics, automotive electronics, aerospace, consumer electronics, or industrial electronics is highly valued.
• Obtain FAA Part 107 certification within 60 days of employment.

Nice to have

• Experience with Spectrum Analyzers.

Skills & tools

• Oscilloscope
• Digital Multimeter
• Logic Analyzer
• Spectrum Analyzer
• Power Analyzer
• Thermal Camera
• 8D
• 5 Why
• Fishbone Diagram
• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Pareto Analysis

Practical notes

Relocation assistance may be available for eligible roles. Benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and a 401K savings plan. Skydio uses E-Verify for employment eligibility.