Reliability Engineering Lead

Company Overview

Our client is developing a next-generation AI wearable that combines ultra-high-density neural sensing with a Brain Foundation Model to decode neural signals and convert thought into text without surgery. The company is focused on advancing noninvasive brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, enabling real-time interaction between the human brain and AI. Their goal is to create a direct connection between mind and machine through an EEG-powered wearable platform designed for communication, productivity, and human augmentation.

Position Summary

• Serve as the founding Reliability Engineering hire, owning the reliability, qualification, certification, and field quality strategy for a next-generation AI wearable platform.

• Lead the end-to-end reliability program, ensuring the product withstands real-world use, including long wear, charging, transportation, environmental exposure, and daily consumer handling.

• Partner closely with Electrical Engineering, Firmware, Audio, Camera, Product Design, and Manufacturing teams while working with external contract manufacturers, test labs, and certification bodies.

• Report to the Head of Hardware and collaborate regularly with the CEO and CTO.

• Own product qualification through launch and build the company's reliability engineering function as the organization scales.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end reliability strategy, including qualification planning, accelerated life testing, certification, and field quality across all hardware subsystems.

• Drive Design for Reliability (DfR) throughout the development process by leading FMEA reviews, participating in design reviews, and embedding reliability practices early in product development.

• Define and execute qualification testing, including environmental, mechanical, wireless validation, battery qualification, and biocompatibility testing for skin-contact components.

• Develop internal and external test capabilities, including test fixtures, sample plans, pass/fail criteria, and qualification processes.

• Lead regulatory certification efforts, including FCC, CE/RED, IC, RoHS, REACH, and battery and body-worn device certifications.

• Partner with Electrical Engineering on EMC and ESD validation; Audio and Camera teams on component reliability; Product Design on drop, ingress protection, thermal performance, and durability; and Firmware on diagnostics, field telemetry, and reliability monitoring.

• Lead the product through qualification gates and support launch by year-end.

• Own post-launch field quality, including AFR/MTBF targets, returns analysis, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions.

• Build and lead the company's Reliability Engineering organization as the product and team grow.

Requirements

• 10+ years of reliability engineering experience supporting consumer hardware products.

• Experience owning reliability from concept through field deployment for at least one shipped consumer product.

• Deep knowledge of consumer electronics qualification standards, including IEC 60068, IEC 61000, JEDEC, and IPC.

• Experience with regulatory certifications, including FCC Part 15, CE/RED, IC RSS, and battery and body-worn device certification requirements.

• Experience designing accelerated life tests and applying statistical reliability methods, including Weibull analysis, acceleration models, and sample-size planning.

• Demonstrated experience leading Design for Reliability initiatives, including FMEA facilitation and cross-functional design reviews.

• Experience working closely with Electrical, Mechanical, and Firmware Engineering teams throughout product development.

• Experience managing external reliability labs, certification partners, and contract manufacturers.

• Strong project ownership with the ability to lead reliability efforts across multiple engineering disciplines.

Desired Skillsets

• Consumer wearables, hearables, mobile devices, or other body-worn electronics.

• Battery reliability, including UN38.3, cycle life testing, swelling analysis, thermal abuse testing, and charging system safety.

• Biocompatibility and skin-contact testing (ISO 10993).

• HALT/HASS test development and execution.

• Experience with field telemetry and post-launch quality analytics.

• Experience building reliability organizations within early-stage or rapidly growing hardware companies.

• Ability to establish reliability processes, infrastructure, and best practices from the ground up.

Location: Palo Alto, CA (Hybrid, 2 days/week in office)

Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $300K–$400K base + Bonus + Equity