Reliability Engineer III Verified today

About the role

You will be the lead Reliability Engineer supporting spacecraft development during formulation phase for the In-Space Systems business unit, which addresses space infrastructure and on-orbit mobility challenges. You will establish reliability frameworks, influence design decisions, and ensure mission success criteria are met from concept through preliminary design. You will work cross-functionally with systems engineers, mission designers, and subsystem leads to embed reliability best practices at the earliest stages of spacecraft development, and support the Blue National Security Business Unit in the Blue Ring satellite product line.

What you will do

• Perform reliability predictions on mechanical and electrical components
• Lead reliability analyses during concept definition and formulation phases, including Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA/FMECA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD), and Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA)
• Define reliability requirements and allocate reliability budgets across spacecraft subsystems
• Develop and maintain the Reliability Program Plan in alignment with program milestones (SRR, SDR, PDR)
• Assess component- and system-level reliability using quantitative methods; maintain reliability predictions using standards such as MIL-HDBK-217, NPRD, or equivalent
• Collaborate with systems engineers to perform trade studies that balance reliability, mass, cost, and schedule
• Identify and drive mitigation strategies for single-point failures and critical failure modes
• Support development of test strategies and verification approaches to demonstrate reliability requirements
• Contribute to risk registers and support program-level risk management activities
• Interface with suppliers and component engineers to assess part-level reliability and selection

Minimum qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial Engineering or other major requiring engineering or mathematical core courses
• 5 or more years working in a reliability role in a design, integration or operational environment
• Proven experience with reliability/life test design (failure modes discovery, life demonstration, and screening)
• Experience with FMEA, FTA, and reliability modeling tools
• Familiarity with spacecraft development process and lifecycle phases
• Experience with failure rate prediction for electrical components and circuit card assemblies (e.g., MIL-HDBK-217F, 217Plus, or similar)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly to differing audiences
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in early-phase / formulation spacecraft or satellite programs
• Familiarity with NASA or DoD reliability standards (e.g., MIL-STD-1629, NASA-STD-8729, ECSS-Q-ST-30)
• Experience with probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) or Monte Carlo methods
• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) designation from ASQ
• Knowledge of space environments and their effects on component reliability (radiation, thermal cycling, vacuum)
• Experience working in an Agile or Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment
• Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Active US Government Top Secret/SCI clearance

Compensation and benefits

Base pay range varies by location:

• CA: $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• CO: $110,938.00 - $155,312.85
• WA: $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• VA: $121,023.00 - $169,432.20
• Other site ranges may differ

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match up to 5%, and Education Support Program. Stock options available for all regular employees working at least 20 hours/week. Paid time off up to four weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays.

Additional information

• Relocation provided
• Travel expected up to 20% of the time
• Applications accepted on an ongoing basis until requisition closed